Three different cyclone separators with diameter of 300 mm

PV-1

PV-2 and PV-3

were designed by changing either the direction of rotation or the diameter of vortex finder. PV-1 differed from PV-2 in the direction of rotation

while PV-3 differed from PV-1 in the diameter of vortex finder. These cyclone separators were assembled center-symmetrically in three paralleled arrangements as assembly of same cyclones (Parallel-Ⅰ)

assembly of various rotation (Parallel-Ⅱ) and assembly of various vortex finder (Parallel-Ⅲ). Parallel-Ⅰ was consisted of four PV-1 cell cyclones; Parallel-Ⅱ was consisted of two PV-1 cyclones and two PV-2 cyclones; Parallel-Ⅲ was consisted of two PV-1 cyclones and two PV-3 cyclones. Separation performances of single cyclone and cyclone assemblies were studied in a cold state experimental setup under a condition of solid loading at 5 g·m-3 and inlet velocities ranging from 14-26 m·s-1. The flow fields in these paralleled cyclones were simulated with FLUENT software. The results show that paralleled cyclones had higher efficiency than single one with no hump in the curve of efficiency versus inlet velocity. Compared to Parallel-Ⅰ

Parallel-Ⅱ was lower in both total pressure drop and efficiency due to weaker swirl flow. Gas throughput was evenly distributed among each cell cyclone and no cross flow was observed in the common dust bin of either Parallel-I or Parallel-Ⅱ. However

Parallel-Ⅲ had higher total pressure drop than Parallel-Ⅰ. Because Parallel-Ⅲ was composed of cell cyclones with different vortex finder

gas throughput in Parallel-Ⅲ was no longer evenly distributed and an average deviation of about 6.0% was observed between the inlet and outlet of each cell cyclone. A cross flow in the common dust bin was also happened from PV-3 to PV-1

which forced some collected particles back to the inner flow

weakened the stability of vortex flow and decreased separation efficiency. Therefore

the same type of cyclone separators should be assembled center-symmetrically in parallel in order to ensure high separation efficiency of paralleled cyclones.