(292b) The Origins and Evolution Of Cyclone Design: How Innovation and Miss-steps Led To The Current State Of Cyclone Design | AIChE

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(292b) The Origins and Evolution Of Cyclone Design: How Innovation and Miss-steps Led To The Current State Of Cyclone Design

Authors 

Zenz, J. - Presenter, Jon Zenz Consulting LLC
As Fluid-bed technology grew in popularity after being introduced nearly 100 years ago, the need for condensing and return of entrained particulates in a cost effective and reliable method increased. Inertial separators known as cyclones gained popularity due to their simplicity, reasonable pressure drop and good efficiency. As demands for ever higher efficiency at ever higher loadings and smaller particle sizes challenged the “simple” design criteria for cyclone sizing, innovations and new sizing criteria had to be developed. Testing performed at PSRI and PemmCorp, geared toward both trouble shooting and research-oriented intentions exposed flaws in previous thinking and led the way to new design criteria.

Underlying accepted design practices is a theory based equation for efficiency calculation that is clearly not polished since data contradict it. As highly loaded cyclones became more widespread, the accepted notion that tangential entry cyclones were more efficient than volute entry cyclones eroded away, and the reason was eventually determined, starting with an “accidental” observation. The new demands placed on cyclones required sizing criteria based on a combination of science and observation and allowances made for the duty under which the cyclone would be operated.

Understanding how a cyclone actually functions and the miss-conceptions associated with cyclone design are the subject of the presentation, which includes video of the actual tests performed, examining such features as inlet designs, vortex length etc.

Topics 

Fluidization

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