Numerical simulation analysis of particle motion behavior and key structures inside a novel cyclone separator

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2025.03.015

中国化学工程学报 ›› 2025, Vol. 85 ›› Issue (9): 114-127.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2025.03.015

Numerical simulation analysis of particle motion behavior and key structures inside a novel cyclone separator

Jie Kou^1,2, Hang Qiu^1,2, Chenyang Wang^1,2

1. China University of Petroleum East China, Qingdao Campus, Qingdao 266580, China;
2. China University of Petroleum Huadong, Qingdao 266580, China

收稿日期:2024-12-25 修回日期:2025-03-07 接受日期:2025-03-10 出版日期:2025-09-28 发布日期:2025-04-23
通讯作者: Hang Qiu,E-mail:z22060033@s.upc.edu.cn
基金资助:
This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52074341).

Numerical simulation analysis of particle motion behavior and key structures inside a novel cyclone separator

Jie Kou^1,2, Hang Qiu^1,2, Chenyang Wang^1,2

1. China University of Petroleum East China, Qingdao Campus, Qingdao 266580, China;
2. China University of Petroleum Huadong, Qingdao 266580, China

Received:2024-12-25 Revised:2025-03-07 Accepted:2025-03-10 Online:2025-09-28 Published:2025-04-23
Contact: Hang Qiu,E-mail:z22060033@s.upc.edu.cn
Supported by:
This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52074341).

摘要/Abstract

摘要： This study proposes a novel cyclone separator with a conical inner core to enhance particle classification efficiency in oil and gas wellhead-recovered liquids. Particle motion and force dynamics are analyzed to optimize key structural parameters, including inlet diameter (D_i), overflow pipe diameter (D_e), insertion depth (L_e), and bottom flow pipe diameter (D_z). Numerical simulations employ the Reynolds stress turbulence model, SIMPLEC algorithm, and discrete phase model to evaluate separation performance in a gas-liquid two-phase system. Results indicate that a smaller D_i improves fine particle separation but increases turbulence; an optimal range of D_i/D_c = 0.35-0.4 is recommended. Larger D_e enhances the diversion ratio, aiding fine particle discharge (D_e/D_c = 0.25-0.35). Increased L_e facilitates fine particle overflow but induces vortices, whereas a smaller L_e stabilizes the bottom flow for larger particle separation (L_e/D_c = 0.5-0.75). A reduced D_z enhances centrifugal force and separation efficiency but may cause turbulence; an optimal D_z/D_c of 0.6-0.65 is suggested for stability. These findings provide valuable design guidelines for improving cyclone separator performance in multiphase flow applications.

关键词: Particle motion, Gas-liquid-solid separation, Hydro cyclone, Integrated separation, Numerical simulation

Abstract: This study proposes a novel cyclone separator with a conical inner core to enhance particle classification efficiency in oil and gas wellhead-recovered liquids. Particle motion and force dynamics are analyzed to optimize key structural parameters, including inlet diameter (D_i), overflow pipe diameter (D_e), insertion depth (L_e), and bottom flow pipe diameter (D_z). Numerical simulations employ the Reynolds stress turbulence model, SIMPLEC algorithm, and discrete phase model to evaluate separation performance in a gas-liquid two-phase system. Results indicate that a smaller D_i improves fine particle separation but increases turbulence; an optimal range of D_i/D_c = 0.35-0.4 is recommended. Larger D_e enhances the diversion ratio, aiding fine particle discharge (D_e/D_c = 0.25-0.35). Increased L_e facilitates fine particle overflow but induces vortices, whereas a smaller L_e stabilizes the bottom flow for larger particle separation (L_e/D_c = 0.5-0.75). A reduced D_z enhances centrifugal force and separation efficiency but may cause turbulence; an optimal D_z/D_c of 0.6-0.65 is suggested for stability. These findings provide valuable design guidelines for improving cyclone separator performance in multiphase flow applications.

Key words: Particle motion, Gas-liquid-solid separation, Hydro cyclone, Integrated separation, Numerical simulation

Jie Kou, Hang Qiu, Chenyang Wang. Numerical simulation analysis of particle motion behavior and key structures inside a novel cyclone separator[J]. 中国化学工程学报, 2025, 85(9): 114-127.

Jie Kou, Hang Qiu, Chenyang Wang. Numerical simulation analysis of particle motion behavior and key structures inside a novel cyclone separator[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2025, 85(9): 114-127.

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Numerical simulation analysis of particle motion behavior and key structures inside a novel cyclone separator

Numerical simulation analysis of particle motion behavior and key structures inside a novel cyclone separator

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