A cyclone with a side-outlet configuration was analyzed by computational fluid dynamics simulation and validated with experimental results. The renormalization group k-ε model indicated a pressure drop of 80.8412 Pa and separation efficiency of 45.48 %. The operating pressure drop was one-third of the mathematical model result, while separation efficiency was 15 % lower than the experimental value.

Abstract

The side-outlet cyclone, featuring a novel geometric design with a lateral gas outlet, proves advantageous in space-constrained environments compared to traditional cyclones with top gas outlets. Herein, a cyclone separator with a side-outlet configuration was numerically investigated using the renormalization group k-ε model and pressure drop and separation efficiency as the performance parameters. Simulation results revealed that the side-outlet cyclone operates at a low to moderate pressure drop of 80.8412 Pa, with a removal efficiency of 45.48 %. The operating pressure drop was found to be only one-third of the computed pressure drop from mathematical modeling, with a removal efficiency 15 % lower than the experimental value. With varying cyclone design modifications, suitable experimental procedures and measuring approaches are desirable to further accurately corroborate these results.