Performance of axial flow hydrocyclones

Axial flow hydrocyclones have both exits in the same direction unlike the reverse flow hydrocyclones that are commonly used in industry. Early work has shown that axial flow hydrocyclones can reduce pressure drop and the challenge is to optimise the design of the vortex finder and the outlets to improve the separation efficiency so that the axial flow hydrocyclones can be used to separate a wide range of materials including coal, minerals, and waste effluent. This project will involve both experimental and numerical modelling of the axial flow hydrocyclone to map out its operating boundaries as no operating guidelines are currently available to enable the separation process to be optimise

Modelling of the hydrocyclone will be through the FLUENT CFD program with specialised particle interaction subroutines. Experimentally, axial flow hydrocyclones with diameters ranging from 1 mm to 20 mm will be studied with optimisation in the design to minimise pressure drop and enhance separation efficiencies.

Contact:

j.liow@adfa.edu.au