PRESSURE DROP IN UNIFLOW CYCLONES: INVESTIGATIONS ON AN EMPIRICAL MODEL

摘要

Uniflow cyclones used for the separation of particles from gases are characterized-compared to standard reverse flow cyclones-by a very compact design.This advantage allows plant operators an easy implementation in existing piping systems.Therefore fine dust emissions can be reduced by a low fabrication effort.Uniflow cyclones can be used independently or as an upstream dedusting device.The application as an upstream deduster can significantly increase the lifetime of downstream fabric filters.Uniflow cyclones are widley used in automotive filtration systems, catalytic processes and in some FCC applications.Even though the principle is well-known, there is hardly any literature which investigates the design, the estimated efficiency or pressure drop.To close this gap the MCI is driving research activities to improve the separation efficiency of uniflow cyclones by optimizing the geometric design.The main objective of this study is to shed light on the prediction of the occurring pressure drop at different operating conditions to facilitate engineering work.For this purpose the fundamentals of fluid mechanics are used to build the basic calculation equations of the pressure drop in the three major parts of uniflow cyclones by passing gas through them.The superordinate aim is to set up a very user-friendly calculation model to predict the occurring pressure drop as a function of the operating conditions and the geometric design.Therefore the conservation of energy referred to Bernoulli is taken to calculate the local and continuous energy losses caused by dissipation.The pressure drop coefficients are elevated by empirical testing series.