Cyclone Separator

A cyclone separator is an economical device for removing particulate solids from a fluid system. The induced centrifugal force (Figure 11.6) is tangentially imparted on the wall of the cyclone cylinder. This force, with the density difference between the fluid and solid, increases the relative settling velocity.The horizontal cyclone is primarily used as a pre-separator for filter systems or as a separator for low-density particles, such as in plastics processing.There are two main designs of cyclone separator, these are the gas cyclone and hydrocyclone. Gas cyclones are used to remove entrained particles from a gas stream. Hydrocyclones are used for separating fluids of different densities.Cyclonic separation is a method of removing particulates from an air, gas or liquid stream, without the use of filters, through vortex separation. When removing particulate matter from liquid, a hydrocyclone is used; while from gas, a gas cyclone is used.A cyclone is a centrifugal separator in which particles, due to their mass, are pushed to the outer edges as a result of centrifugal force. Incoming air is automatically forced to adopt a fast-revolving spiral movement - the so-called “double vortex”.In horizontal separators, gas flows horizontally while liquid droplets fall toward the liquid surface. The moisture gas flows in the baffle surface and forms a liquid film that is drained away to the liquid section of the separator. The baffles need to be longer than the distance of liquid trajectory travel.Cyclone separators can achieve high collection efficiencies, typically separating 99% of the dust particles greater than 10 microns in size from the air stream and depositing them into a collection bin. As it services dust from circulation, cyclone systems aid in increasing airflow within a plant or factory.