Computational Fluid Dynamics Applied to the Analysis of 10-mm Hydrocyclone Solids Separation Performance S. A. Grady, M. M. Abdullah, and G. D. Wesson Department of Chemical Engineering Florida A&M University/Florida State University College of Engineering

Presentation Outline  Research Objectives  Experimental Procedures  Solution Details Results  Conclusions  Continued Work  Acknowledgments

Research Objectives  Develop Flow Field Predictions for Reynolds Stress Turbulence Model  Comparison of Flow Field Properties for Different Geometries  Validate Flow Field Prediction  Solid Particle Motion  Apply Drop Break-up Model with Separation for Liquid/Liquid Systems

Experimental Procedure  10-mm Geometry  Develop Grid  Establish Boundary Conditions  Perform RSM Simulation Using FLUENT  Identify Appropriate Flow Structures

3-D Cyclone Grid Tangential Inlet Configuration Volute Inlet Configuration

Grid Information Tangential Inlet  Hexahedral and Tetrahedral Cells  532,863 cells  1,095,577 faces Volute Inlet  Hexahedral Cell Type  175,506 cells  544,937faces

Boundary Conditions  Flow Split  Inlet Volumetric Flow Rate  Plug flow profile normal to inlet face

Results Velocity profiles Velocity vectors Core properties

Axial Velocity Profiles

Tangential Velocity Profiles

Velocity Vectors Volute Inlet ConfigurationTangential Inlet Configuration

Turbulence Intensity

Pressure Distribution

Locus of Zero Axial Velocity

Locus of Zero Tangential Velocity

Conclusions  Volute Inlet Configuration Provides  Greater symmetry about the axis of symmetry  Lower turbulence intensity  Reynolds Stress Model Predictions Provide

Continued Work  Model Validation Based on Separation Principles  Particle migration analysis  Turbulence intensity based drop break-up analysis  Model Validation Based on LDV Experiments

Acknowledgements FAMU/NASA Graduate Fellowship Program Florida A&M University Foundation