Effect of discretization method of a computational domain on particle separation in a cyclone separator

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a study into the effect of the selection of a method of discretization of the computational domain on the solid particles separation process in a cyclone separator. The selection of an optimum discretization method to be implemented in a computational domain forms a particularly important task during analysis using CFD. The process of discretization largely affects the precision of the results gained using the CFD models as well as independence of the results on the mesh density and duration of the computations. The comparative analysis was performed on the basis of the results of experimental and numerical research with regard to the separation efficiency and pressure drop. It was observed that the computational domains generated on the basis of hexagonal meshes provide the best conformity of the results in terms of the separation efficiency, which is the key parameter applied to assess the quality of a cyclone separator.