The cyclonic dryer: a numerical and experimental analysis of the influence of geometry on average particle residence time

摘要

Particle residence time is an extremely important variable in a cyclonic dryer project. With the goal of obtaining a device that conduces to a long particle residence time, the influence of cyclone dimensions on particle residence time and on the type of flow is discussed here. The research was based on a device with a very high ratio of cyclone diameter to other dimensions. Simulations were developed with computational fluid dynamics techniques by the use of the commercial code CFX 4.4? of AEA Technology. Particles were treated individually. The fit of a turbulence model was also discussed. Theoretical and experimental results showed that the dimensions of the conical part of the cyclone had a very important influence on flow and consequently on particle residence time. The influences of volumetric concentration and particle diameter on particle residence time were also observed.