ARS | Publication request: Effects of cyclone diameter on performance of 1D3D cyclones: Cut point and slope

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 31, 2007
Publication Date: February 1, 2007
Citation: Faulkner, W.B., Buser, M.D., Whitelock, D.P., Shaw, B.W. 2007. Effects of cyclone diameter on performance of 1D3D cyclones: Cyclone cut point. In: Proceesings of the 2007 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 9-12, 2007, New Orleans, Louisiana. p. 1542-1552.

Interpretive Summary: Cyclones are the most commonly used air pollution abatement device for separating particulate matter (PM) from air streams in agricultural processes. The objective of this research was to determine if cyclone performance characteristics are affected by the overall cyclone size and to determine if current theoretical models accurately predict the performance characteristics of the various cyclone sizes evaluated. There are two main parameters used to quantify cyclone performance characteristics: cutpoint and slope. Results of this research did not indicate any relationships between cutpoint and cyclone size, but did show the slope increasing with cyclone size. The theoretical models available in the literature were unable to accurately predict the cutpoints and slopes for the various cyclone sizes. The information gathered in this research points to the need for additional fundamental cyclone research.

Technical Abstract: Cyclones are a commonly used air pollution abatement device for separating particulate matter (PM) from air streams in industrial processes. Several mathematical models have been proposed to predict the performance of cyclones, as cyclone diameter varies. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between cyclone diameter, cut point, and slope based on empirical data. Tests were performed comparing cut points and slopes of 15.24-, 30.48-, 60.96-, and 91.44-cm (6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-in.) diameter cyclones with poly-disperse PM having an aerodynamic mass median diameter near 10 um. The mass of PM collected by the cyclones and the mass and particle size distributions of PM that penetrated the cyclones were used to determine the cut point and slope of each cyclone. The cut points of cyclones showed no relationship to cyclone diameter, while the slope of cyclones increased as cyclone diameter increased with statistically different collection efficiencies observed among the 30.48-, 60.96-, and 91.44-cm (12-, 24-, and 36-inch) diameter cyclones. None of the previously published mathematical models analyzed in this paper accurately predicted cyclone cut point.