EFFECTS OF CYCLONE DIAMETER ON PERFORMANCE OF 1D3D CYCLONES: CYCLONE CUT POINT.

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 μm. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]