What Is a Cyclone Separator?
A cyclone separator is a device that separates particles mixed in a fluid.
It uses the difference between the density of the particles in the fluid and the density of the fluid itself to separate the particles in the fluid from the difference in centrifugal force generated by each. Pumps for pumping fluids containing solids or sand are expensive because the sealing parts must be crafted to prevent solids from entering.
Detection devices and other equipment may also be required. These problems can be solved by using a cyclone separator.
Uses of Cyclone Separators
Cyclone separators are used in a variety of industrial settings. The following are some examples of cyclone separator applications:
- Removal of contaminants from exhaust gases
- Collection of abrasive particles mixed with waste fluid after polishing
- Classification and separation of fine particles
- Removal of compounds from factory wastewater, wastewater treatment tanks, etc.
- Recovery of crystals and raw materials generated in food, pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturing processes
- Removal of foreign matter from ultrasonic cleaning solutions and circulating cleaning solutions of high-pressure washers
- Recovery of abrasive grains from blasting and water jetting
- Removal of solids from sampling liquids
- Widely used in industry as a pretreatment for accurate particle separation
Principle of Cyclone Separators
Cyclone separators are typically conical. Liquid mixed with particulate debris is poured into the cyclone separators from the pump discharge to generate a spiral flow.
Since there is a difference between the density of particulates in the fluid and the density of the fluid itself, there is also a difference in the centrifugal force generated by the spiral flow. The cyclone separators take advantage of this difference. Oil, water, and solids are knocked against the inner wall of the housing and fall along the wall.
The cleaned liquid is discharged from the top of the cyclone separator. The solids fall downward and are sent to the suction side of the pump for circulation.
Thus, cyclone separators are used for liquids containing a mixture of fine particles. However, even for liquids that do not contain a large amount of particulate debris, they may be used as a safety measure to prevent particulates from mixing.
Other Information on Cyclone Separators
1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Cyclone Separators
A cyclone separator is a device that separates foreign particles in a liquid or gaseous fluid and is not itself powered. Therefore, the advantages of cyclone separators are that they can be installed in a system that is already circulating and that they are low cost. Another advantage is that the main unit is maintenance free because it is a structure.
However, fine particles cannot be separated because they are carried by the fluid flow. The large pressure drop and the large energy required to maintain fluid speed are disadvantages.
2. Design of Cyclone Separator
Cyclone separators are designed according to the density of solids to be separated and the required separation rate. Among separators, cyclone separators are used for relatively high flow rates.
In addition, the capacity of cyclone separators is greatly affected by the capacity of the pump and blower, which are discharge devices. It is widely used as a dust collection system that requires little maintenance, but the important factor is the blower pressure.
If the airflow velocity is reduced by half, the dust collection capacity is greatly reduced, so the blower and pump pressure are the rate-limiting factors in the design of cyclone separators.
3. Bag Filters and Cyclone Separators
In the manufacturing process of powder products, cyclone separators are sometimes used in multiple stages of product classification and collection. In addition, a fabric filter may be combined with a bag filter in the latter stage.
Incinerators are also sometimes designed in combination when either of these single-stage facilities cannot meet regulatory limits. This is to compensate for the inability to collect fine particles, which is one of the drawbacks of cyclone separators.
However, one drawback of fabric filters is that they require periodic cleaning or replacement of the filter cloth. Combined with cyclone separators, the filter cloth replacement interval can be extended to reduce the load on the fabric filter. This reduces replacement work costs and running costs, such as disposal costs for replacement filter cloth.
When replacing the filter cloth, gas flow to the fabric filter must be stopped. Therefore, extending the filter cloth replacement interval extends the period of continuous operation, which is expected to improve productivity.