TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of different oil return pipe locations on the vortex characteristics of a cylindrical cyclone separator
AU - Fu Zeming
AU - Wu Huagen
AU - Liang Mengtao
AU - Guo Zhendong
AU - Wu Guanghua
AU - Shang Shuo
AU - Hou Liang
AU - Zhang Xin
JN - Thermal Science
PY - 2024
VL - 28
IS - 3
SP - 2595
EP - 2604
PT - Article
AB - 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.