THERMAL SCIENCE

International Scientific Journal

Zeming Fu

,

Huagen Wu

,

Mengtao Liang

,

Zhendong Guo

,

Guanghua Wu

,

Shuo Shang

,

Liang Hou

,

Xin Zhang

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT OIL RETURN PIPE LOCATIONS ON THE VORTEX CHARACTERISTICS OF A CYLINDRICAL CYCLONE SEPARATOR

ABSTRACT
The optimization of internal components in the oil-gas separator is crucial for enhancing the performance of the compressor system. In this reported study, the effects of three different oil return pipe locations on the vortex characteristics of a cylindrical cyclone separator are investigated by CFD simulation based on the omega method, and the relationship with the separation performance is analyzed. The vortex deformation and breakup near the oil return pipe are evident, with the degree following the order of C > B > A, which is conducive to reducing pressure loss. Cyclone C, with the inclined return pipe, exhibits the lowest pressure drop. The overall separation efficiency follows the sequence of A > B > C. For oil droplets of 5 μm and larger, the separation efficiency is essentially the same, exceeding 97.5%. Cyclone A exhibits the best separation effect for oil droplets smaller than 5μm. This study provides some references for optimizing the internals of oil separators.
KEYWORDS
cyclone separator, vortex structure, oil return pipe, oil-gas separation
PAPER SUBMITTED: 2023-02-05
PAPER REVISED: 2023-08-25
PAPER ACCEPTED: 2023-08-30
PUBLISHED ONLINE: 2023-12-10
DOI REFERENCE: https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI230205254F
CITATION EXPORT: view in browser or download as text file
THERMAL SCIENCE YEAR 2024, VOLUME 28, ISSUE Issue 3, PAGES [2595 - 2604]
REFERENCES
  1. Wu, W., et al., Influence of Evaporating Rate on Two-Phase Expansion in the Piston Expander with Cyclone Separator, Thermal Science, 24 (2020), 3B, pp. 2077-2088
  2. Wang, L., et al., Experimental Study on the Separation Performance of a Novel Oil-Gas Cyclone Separator, Powder Technology, 415 (2023), 118124
  3. Wu, H., et al., Theoretical and Experimental Research on the Working Process of Screw Refrigeration Compressor under Superfeed Condition, International Journal of Refrigeration, 30 (2007), 8, pp. 1329-1335
  4. Wang, L., et al., Performance Investigation and Optimization of the Primary Separation Part of the Oil-Gas Separator, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 62 (2023), 25, pp. 9797-9811
  5. Gao, X., et al., Numerical Investigation of the Effects of the Central Channel on the Flow Field in an Oil-Gas Cyclone Separator, Computers and Fluids, 92 (2014), Mar., pp. 45-55
  6. Seon, G., et al., Analysis of the Impact of Flow Characteristics on the Separation Efficiency and Pressure Drop of a Cyclone-Type Oil Separator, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 36 (2022), 1, pp. 273-283
  7. Kim, H. S., et al., Flow Characteristics of Refrigerant and Oil Mixture in an Oil Separator, International Journal of Refrigeration, 70 (2016), Oct., pp. 206-218
  8. Balikci, A., Koca, T., Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Plunging Pipe Diameter Change in Cyclones to the Performance of Cyclones, Thermal Science, 27 (2023), 6A, pp. 4665-4679
  9. Alex, F. J., et al., Bibliometric Network Analysis of Trends in Cyclone Separator Research: Research Gaps and Future Direction, Sustainability, 14 (2022), 22, 14753
  10. Wakizono, Y., et al., Effect of Ring Shape Attached on Upper Outlet Pipe on Fine Particle Classification of Gas-Cyclone, Separation and Purification Technology, 141 (2015), Feb., pp. 84-93
  11. Gong, A., Wang, L.-Z., Numerical Study of Gas Phase Flow in Cyclones with the Repds, Aerosol Science and Technology, 38 (2004), 5, pp. 506-512
  12. Liu, C., et al., Experimental Study and Analysis on Drag Reduction Mechanisms of Reducing Pressure Drop Stick in a Cyclone Separator, Chemical Engineering and Technology: Industrial Chemistry-Plant Equipment-Process Engineering-Biotechnology, 29 (2006), 4, pp. 495-503
  13. Brunnmair, E., et al., Neuartiger gaszyklon mit differenzierter grob-und feinabtrennzone (in German), BHM Berg-und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte, 12 (2009), 154, pp. 610-613
  14. Pan, C., et al., Research on the Spiral Guiding and the Bash-Mixing Preventing of Cyclone Separating Devises, Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 31 (2012), 6, pp. 1215-1219
  15. Zhou, F., et al., Experimental and CFD study on Effects of Spiral Guide Vanes on Cyclone Performance, Advanced Powder Technology, 29 (2018), 12, pp. 3394-3403
  16. Chen, G., et al., Experimental and CFD Investigation on Effects of Internals on the Flow Pattern and Performance of AaDivergent Cyclone Separator, Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 115 (2020), Oct., pp. 160-168
  17. Li, T., et al., Numerical Analysis of a Novel Cascading Gas-Liquid Cyclone Separator, Chemical Engineering Science, 270 (2023), 118518
  18. Yao, Y., et al., Double-Eccentric Design for the Vortex Finder of a Cyclone Separator, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 61 (2022), 40, pp. 14927-14939
  19. Guo, M., et al., Numerical Investigation on the Swirling Vortical Characteristics of a Stairmand Cyclone Separator with Slotted Vortex Finder, Powder Technology, 416 (2023), 118236
  20. Xu, J., Hrnjak, P., Coalescing Oil Separator for Compressors, International Journal of Refrigeration, 106 (2019), Oct., pp. 41-53
  21. Le, D. K., et al., A Hybrid CFD-Deep Learning Methodology to Improve the Accuracy of Cut-off Diameter Prediction In Coarse-Grid Simulations for Cyclone Separators, Journal of Aerosol Science, 170 (2023), 106143
  22. Elhashimi, M. A., et al., Unconventional Desalination: The Use of Cyclone Separators in HDH Desalination Achieve Zero Liquid Discharge, Desalination, 539 (2022), 115932
  23. Huang, L., et al., Numerical Analysis of a Novel Gas-Liquid pre-Separation Cyclone, Separation and Purification Technology, 194 (2018), Apr., pp. 470-479
  24. Wang, B., et al., Numerical Study of Gas-Solid Flow in a Cyclone Separator, Applied Mathematical Modelling, 30 (2006), 11, pp. 1326-1342
  25. Chu, K., et al., CFD-DEM Simulation of the Gas-Solid Flow in a Cyclone Separator, Chemical Engineering Science, 66 (2011), 5, pp. 834-847
  26. Li, W., et al., Effects of Different Cylinder Roof Structures on the Vortex of Cyclone Separators, Separation and Purification Technology, 296 (2022), 121370
  27. Liu, C., et al., New Omega Vortex Identification Method, Science China Physics, Mechanics and Astronomy, 59 (2016), pp. 1-9
  28. Dong, S., et al., Experimental and Numerical Study on the Performance and Mechanism of a Vortex-Broken Electrocyclone, Chemical Engineering Journal, 455 (2023), 140758
  29. Zhang, Y., et al., Heterogeneous Condensation Combined with Inner Vortex Broken Cyclone to Achieve High Collection Efficiency of Fine Particles and Low Energy Consumption, Powder Technology, 382 (2021), Apr., pp. 420-430
  30. Wang, Q.-Q., et al., Design and Performance Study of a Two-Stage Inline Gas-Liquid Cyclone Separator with Large Range of Inlet Gas Volume Fraction, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 220 (2023), 111218
PDF VERSION [DOWNLOAD]
Effects of different oil return pipe locations on the vortex characteristics of a cylindrical cyclone separator

© 2024 Society of Thermal Engineers of Serbia. Published by the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International licence