Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #204054
Title: Effects of cyclone diameter on performance of 1D3D cyclones: Collection efficiency

Author
item FAULKNER, WILLIAM - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item Buser, Michael
item Whitelock, Derek
item SHAW, BRYAN - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Transactions of the ASABE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/13/2007
Publication Date: 6/25/2007
Citation: Faulkner, W., Buser, M.D., Whitelock, D.P., Shaw, B. 2007. Effects of cyclone diameter on performance of 1D3D cyclones: Collection efficiency. Transactions of the ASABE. 50(3):1053-1059.

Interpretive Summary: Cyclones are the most commonly used air pollution abatement device for separating particulate matter from air streams in agricultural processes, such as cotton gins. Several mathematical models have been proposed to predict the performance of cyclones as cyclone diameter varies. Tests were run to evaluate the relationship between cyclone size and cyclone performance based on experimental data. Four cyclone sizes were used: 6, 12, 24, and 36 inch diameter. The particulate matter collection effectiveness of the cyclones decreased sharply as cyclone diameter increased. None of the mathematical models accurately matched cyclone performance. As sizes of cyclone used in industry varies, this work provides a better understanding of the relationship between cyclone size and performance. The results should greatly enhance research efforts on abatement strategies for air pollution from agricultural operations.

Technical Abstract: Cyclones are the most commonly used air pollution abatement device for separating particulate matter (PM) from air streams in agricultural processes, such as cotton gins. 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 and collection efficiency based on empirical data. Tests were performed comparing cyclone collection efficiency 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 PM chosen for this study has a much lower MMD than PM found in typical agricultural applications and was used to magnify any differences in cyclone collection efficiency due to differences in cyclone barrel diameter. The mass of PM collected by the cyclones and the mass of PM that penetrated the cyclones were used to determine the collection efficiency of each cyclone. The collection efficiency of cyclones decreased nonlinearly 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 mathematical models analyzed in this paper accurately predicted cyclone performance.