A CFD simulation of a single phase hydrocyclone flow field

摘要

The hydrodynamics of a hydrocyclone present a complex internal flow structure, the numerical simulation of which remains a nontrivial task. We report on three-dimensional water-only computational fluid dynamics (CFD) hydrocyclone flow field predictions and highlight some of the issues concerned with the development of a CFD model incorporating an air core. The potential for the application of CFD as a hydrocyclone design tool is also discussed. Physically realistic velocity profile predictions were obtained, which challenge the classical account of the hydrocyclone radial particle classification mechanism. A pressure field distribution consistent with literature reports was also predicted.