ChE 155 – Unit Operations Laboratory I

INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND
CYCLONE uses the principle of inertia in
SEPARATION separation devices to remove
particulate matter from flue gases

prevents more fine filtration

methods from having to deal with
large, more abrasive
INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND
CYCLONE uses centrifugal force developed
SEPARATION through vortex formation
can be 5 to 2500 times greater
than gravitational force
it makes separation process
more effective than using
gravitation
INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND
CYCLONE cheap
SEPARATION
can remove particles with
diameter of 5µm<D<200µm
INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND
Advantages Disadvantages

versatility Inflexibility
simplicity and Limited separation
economical performance
small size Susceptibility to
high shear force erosion
high shear prevents
the use of flocculents
to aid the separation
INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND
CYCLONE SEPARATION
Velocity Distribution
Significant velocity components in the radial, axial
and tangential direction
Particle-particle collision affects separation
efficiency as some of the particles are being carried
out in the overhead and underhead.
Performance depends on the geometry
INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND
CYCLONE SEPARATION
Pressure Drop (Factors affecting)
Gas expansion
Vortex formation
Friction loss
Changes in kinetic energy
INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND
CYCLONE SEPARATION
Increasing particle diameter
Increasing density
Increasing gas velocity
Increasing cyclone length
Decreasing cyclone diameter
and gas outlet
Venting of some of the gas
through the bottom solids exit
Wetting of the walls Separation Efficiency
INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND
RELEVANT EQUATIONS
 
Collection efficiency
INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND
RELEVANT EQUATIONS
 
Particle size removed

Dpth = theoretical particle size removed by the cyclone

μg = viscosity of gas
Bc = width of cyclone inlet duct
Ns = number of turns made (spirally downwards) by the cyclone
INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND
RELEVANT EQUATIONS
 
Separation Factor
Ratio of centrifugal to gravitational forces

 tangential velocity of particle at radius r
 radius of rotation
INTRODUCTION | SIGNIFICANCE
Cyclone separators are used primarily on removal of
particulates from a fluid stream without the use of filters. They
can be used in a variety of industries such as food
processing, air control, and waste water treatment.
Examples include the separation of agglomerated particles,
starch and protein for food industry, the pre-treatment of
polluted air for air pollution control processes, and the
removal of solid wastes for waste water treatment facilities.
INTRODUCTION | SIGNIFICANCE
Determining the particle size and inlet velocity conditions for
high collection efficiency would provide useful information for
more efficient operation of cyclone separator.

The minimum particle diameter would serve as a limit of the

capacity of the cyclone.
INTRODUCTION | OBJECTIVES
To determine the effect of particle size on the collection
efficiency

To determine the effect of inlet velocity on the collection

efficiency

To calculate Dpmin, Dpc, and the separation factor

To apply statistical analysis for the interpretation of data

MATERIALS
Tyler screen (Mesh 10, 16, & 24) Anemometer Garbage Bag

Different sizes of sand Top Loading Balance

MATERIALS
Cyclone Separator
METHODOLOGY
PREPARATION OF SAMPLE

Separate each 
Screen sand 
300g sample 
using Tyler  Collect 300g 
into three to 
screens of  sample from 
obtain three 
mesh 10, 16,  each undersize
100g samples 
and 24
of each size
METHODOLOGY
DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF
PARTICLE SIZE ON COLLECTION EFFICIENCY

Time the trial 
Put 100g of
Measure the  until all
Set the blower  sample from 
inlet velocity sample is
velocity to its  the undersize 
using  eliminated
maximum. of mesh 24 to 
anemometer. from the feed 
the feeder
hopper
METHODOLOGY
DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF
PARTICLE SIZE ON COLLECTION EFFICIENCY

Repeat steps for 
Collect and  Determine  Make three
samples from 
weigh the  collection trials for each 
the undersize of
output sand efficiency size 
mesh 16 and 10

ŋ = collection efficiency
mc = mass collected at the bottom
mt = total mass fed
METHODOLOGY
DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF INITIAL
VELOCITY ON THE COLLECTION EFFICIENCY

Time the trial 
Put 100g of
Measure the  until all
Set the blower  sample from 
inlet velocity sample is
velocity to its  the undersize 
using  eliminated
maximum. of mesh 24 to 
anemometer. from the feed 
the feeder
hopper
METHODOLOGY
DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF INITIAL
VELOCITY ON COLLECTION EFFICIENCY

Repeat steps 
Collect and  Determine  Make three
with 
weigh the  collection trials for 
decreasing
output sand efficiency each size 
inlet velocity
 

ŋ = collection efficiency
mc = mass collected at the bottom
mt = total mass fed
DATA BLANKS
Table 1. Raw data on varying particles sizes at constant initial velocity.
Particle Size Trial Feed Mass Time Mass Collected
1
Mesh No. 24 2
3
1
Mesh No. 16 2
3
1
Mesh No. 10 2
3
DATA BLANKS
Table 2. Raw data on varying initial velocity at constant particle size.
Initial Velocity Trial Feed Mass Time Mass Collected
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
DATA BLANKS
Table 3. Data for the calculation of Dpmin, Dpc, and Fc.
Parameter Values
Viscosity of Gas
Width of Cyclone inlet duct
Number of turns
Particle Density
Gas Density
Radius of rotation
Initial Velocity 1
Tangential velocity
Initial Velocity 2
Initial Velocity 3
DATA BLANKS
Table 4. Calculated cyclone separation parameters at varying particle sizes.
Collection Separation
Particle Size Trial Dpmin Dpc
Efficiency Factor
1
Mesh No. 24 2
3
1
Mesh No. 16 2
3
1
Mesh No. 10 2
3
DATA BLANKS
Table 5. Calculated cyclone separation parameters at varying initial velocity.
Initial Collection Separation
Trial Dpmin Dpc
Velocity Efficiency Factor
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
Thank
you!