DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF A VIRTUAL BODY MINI CYCLONE

Abstract

Cyclone separators are used as main or pre-separator of particle in power plants, combustion systems, chemical and medical processes, systems related heat and mass transfer, etc. In this study, a new virtual body mini cyclone was designed and manufactured by using 3D printer. An experimental setup was constructed for its performance tests. The system was run in suction mode and the atmospheric air was sucked by using a blower. A digital flowmeter and a differential pressure sensor were used for measurement of the flow rate and pressure drop respectively. Calcite particles fed into incoming air was used in the experiments. Particle size distributions of the particles entering the cyclone and the collected particles were analyzed by using a particle analyzer. The particle collection efficiency, fractional efficiencies and pressure losses were obtained from the test results. The effects of flow rate or inlet velocity and various geometrical parameters on the cyclone performances were also analyzed.