Lecture 3

Design of cyclones

DESIGN OF CYCLONES
Cyclone separators utilizes a centrifugal forces generated by a spinning gas stream to
separate the particulate matters from the carrier gas. The centrifugal force on particles in a
spinning gas stream is much greater than gravity; therefore cyclones are effective in the removal
of much smaller particles than gravitational settling chambers, and require much less space to
handle the same gas volumes.
In operation, the particle-laden gas upon entering the cyclone cylinder receives a rotating
motion. The vortex so formed develops a centrifugal force, which acts to particle radially
towards the wall. The gas spirals downward to the bottom of the cone, and at the bottom the gas
flow reveres to form an inner vortex which leaves through the outlet pipe [1].

Theory
In a cyclone, the inertial separating force is the radial component of the simple centrifugal
force and is a function of the tangential velocity. The centrifugal force can be expressed by Fc

mve2
Fc
r

(2.3.1)

Where, m=mass of the particle, ve=tangential velocity of the particle at radius r, and
r=radius of rotation. The separation factor S is given by

ve2
S
gr

(2.3.2)

The separation factor varies from 5 in large, low velocity units to 2500 in small, high
pressure units. Higher the separation factor better is the performance of the cyclone.
In the cyclone, the gas, in addition to moving in a circular path, also moves radially
inwards between the inlet on the periphery and the exit on the axis. Since the tangential
velocities of the particle and the gas are the same, the relative velocity between the gas and
particle is simply equal to the radial velocity of the gas. This result in a drag force on the particle
towards the centre, and the equilibrium radius of rotation of the particle can be obtained by
balancing the radial drag force and the centrifugal force:

v2
3g d p vr d p g
6
r
3
p

(2.3.3)

Where, dp=particle diameter, and vr=radial velocity of the gas at radius r. Arranging the
above equation, for vr
vr

d p3 p g v 2
18 g r

(2.3.4)

The tangential velocity of the particle in the vortex has been found experimentally to be
inversely proportional to the radius of rotation according to equation,

v r n constan

(2.3.5)

Where, n is the exponent and dimensionless. For an ideal gas n=1. The real values
observed are between 0.5 to 1, depending upon the radius of the cyclone body and gas
temperature. v can be related to the tangential velocity at the inlet to the cyclone vi as

D
v vi
2r

(2.3.6)

Where, D=diameter of the cyclone. vi may be taken as the velocity of the gas through
the inlet pipe, i.e.,

vi

Q
Ai

(2.3.7)

Where, Q=gas volumetric flow rate and Ai=cross-sectional area of the inlet. Therefore,
Q D
v

Ai 2 r

(2.3.8)

d 3p p g Q D 2 n

vr
18 g r 2n1 Ai 2r
2

(2.3.9)

The most satisfactory expression for cyclone performance is still the empirical one.
Lapple correlated collection efficiency in terms of the cut size dpe which is the size of those
particle that are collected with 50% efficiency. Particle larger than dpe will have collection
efficiency greater than 50% while the smaller particle will be collected with lesser efficiency.
The cut size is given by:

d pe

9 g b

2N e vi p g

(2.3.10)

Where, b=inlet width, vi=gas inlet velocity and Ne=effective number of turns a gas makes in
traversing the cyclone (5 to 10 in most cases).
Pressure drop: The pressure drop may be estimated according to the following equation,
P

K g v i2 ab
2 D e2

(2.3.11)

Where, K=a constant, which averages 13 and ranges from 7.5 to 18.4, P =pressure
drop, a, b and De=cyclone dimensions, vi=inlet gas velocity and g =gas density.
Problem 2.3.1: A conventional cyclone with diameter 0.5 m handles 4.0 m3/s of standard air
(g=1.8110-5 kg/m-s and g being negligible w.r.t p) carrying particles with a density of 2500
kg/m3. For Ne=6, inlet width (b)=0.25 m, inlet height (a)=0.5 m, determine the cut size of particle
diameter.
Solution: Given
b=0.25,

D=0.250.5=0.1

a=0.5,

D=0.50.5=0.25

p=2500 kg/m3
g=1.8110-5 kg/m-s
Q=4 m3/s

vi

Q
4

=160 m/s
a b 0.10.25

dpe

dpe

9g b

2Ne vi p g

9 1.81 0.25
5.195 104 m
2 6 160 2500

REFERENCES
http://www.epconindia.com/air-pollution-control-equipment.html