Effects of cyclone diameter on performance of 1D3D cyclones: Collection efficiency
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abstract
Cyclones are a common air pollution abatement device for separating particulate matter (PM) from air streams in industrial processes. Several mathematical models have been proposed to predict the performance of cyclones as cyclone diameter varies. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between cyclone diameter and collection efficiency based on empirical data and to compare the results to those of four mathematical models. Tests were performed comparing cyclone collection efficiency of 15.24, 30.48, 60.96, and 91.44 cm (6, 12, 24, and 36 in.) diameter cyclones with poly-disperse PM having an aerodynamic mass median diameter (MMD) near 10 m. The PM chosen for this study was selected to magnify any differences in cyclone collection efficiency due to differences in cyclone barrel diameter. The mass of PM collected by the cyclones and the mass of PM that penetrated the cyclones was used to determine the collection efficiency of each cyclone. The collection efficiency of cyclones decreased nonlinearly as cyclone diameter increased, with statistically different collection efficiencies observed among the 30.48, 60.96, and 91.44 cm (12, 24, and 36 in.) diameter cyclones. None of the mathematical models analyzed in this article accurately predicted cyclone efficiency.