Prediction of Hydrocyclone Air-Core Dimensions Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Forming the air-core, is the one of flow properties in hydrocyclone. The swirling flow causes a cylindrical low pressure area at the axis of hydrocyclone which is constant throughout the entire length of the hydrocyclone. Air-core affects the separation efficiency. In this study, low pressure areas were used to predict air-core diameter. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method was used to determine the pressure distribution inside of hydrocyclone. Three models including: the renormalization group k–model, the Reynolds stress model, and the large-eddy simulation model, were compared for the prediction of air-core dimension. Air-core diameter was evaluated by using three planes, one on cylindrical part and two on conical section. Results show that, the RSM turbulence model is more accurate than two other models.