ARS | Publication request: DUST CYCLONE MODELING

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 5, 2000
Publication Date: June 30, 2000
Citation: Funk, P.A., Hughs, S.E., Holt, G. A. Dust Cyclone Modeling. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. 2000. p. 1640-1641.

Interpretive Summary: Dust cyclones clean process air before release and keep cotton gins in compliance with emissions regulations. More stringent air quality laws will require better performance of cyclones. Improving cyclone performance will require a better understanding of how they work. The reported research (a computer model) showed airflow streamlines inside a dust cyclone. It appears air direction change abruptness is critical to cyclone performance. This suggested planned tests with cyclones that have square inlets, to increase the abruptness of air direction change. If validated, it may result in better air quality and lower cotton gin operating costs.

Technical Abstract: Preliminary numerical model results have yielded new insight into dust cyclone operation. If the model and its interpretation are correct, an important dynamic is air direction change abruptness. Trials will soon be conducted to validate this theory.