1. 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

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

3. 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

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

5. 3-D Cyclone Grid Tangential Inlet Configuration Volute Inlet Configuration

6. 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

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

8. Results Velocity profiles Velocity vectors Core properties

9. Axial Velocity Profiles

10. Tangential Velocity Profiles

11. Velocity Vectors Volute Inlet ConfigurationTangential Inlet Configuration

12. Turbulence Intensity

13. Pressure Distribution

14. Locus of Zero Axial Velocity

15. Locus of Zero Tangential Velocity

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

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

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