Experimental and numerical performance study of a downward dual-inlet gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC)

• Published in: Chemical engineering science Vol. 238; p. 116595
• Main Authors: Wang, Yaan, Chen, Jianyi, Yang, Yang, Han, Mingshan, Zhou, Yuhang, Ye, Song, Yan, Chaoyu, Yue, Ti
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 20.07.2021
• Subjects: Dual-inlet structure; Flow characteristic; Gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC); Gas–liquid flow; Separation performance; Gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC); Gas–liquid flow; Dual-inlet structure; Separation performance; Flow characteristic
• ISSN: 0009-2509; 1873-4405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2021.116595

•A type of dual-inlet GLCC with a downward branch inlet was proposed.•The gas–liquid flow characteristics of single and dual-inlet GLCCs were examined.•Experimental results showed the excellent performance of the dual-inlet GLCC.•The dual-inlet GLCC inhibited upward flow of liquid film and improved separation. The overflow of liquid film in the upper cylinder of gas–liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC) is the main reason for poor liquid efficiency. Liquid film formation is directly related to the flow pattern in the inlet pipe and the short-circuit flow at the inlet nozzle. Aiming to improve GLCC performance, a type of dual-inlet GLCC with a downward branch inlet was designed and examined. With a conventional single-inlet GLCC for comparison, experimental study and numerical simulations were conducted on flow patterns of liquid film and separation efficiencies of the dual-inlet GLCC. The results showed that the dual-inlet configuration had a split-flow effect, which guided most of the feed liquid to the lower GLCC cylinder through the lower inlet, hence improving pre-separation and inhibiting the short-circuit flow of the upper inlet. This effect consequently reduced the liquid entering the upper GLCC cylinder and, therefore, expanded the operational envelope.