An experimental investigation elucidating the nature of the effect of solids loading on cyclone performance

Abstract Accurate measurements of the overall gravimetric efficiency of gas/solid cyclone separators as a function of inlet solids loading have been made. Cyclones with two different geometries have been used, each with inlet gas velocities of 10, 15 and 20m/s. A commercial cyclone design was also tested at an inlet velocity of 10 m/s. The magnitude of the effect of inlet solids loading on cyclone separation performance varies substantially with the inlet gas velocity; a variation unaccounted for in published empirical models. The present results together with those reported in reference 1 make possible a detailed appraisal of two different qualitative mechanistic explanations for the effect of solids loading on cyclone separation performance proposed in the literature. No single concept was found to account completely for the observed behaviour. The idea (2) however, that large particles sweep smaller particles to the wall In the cyclone inlet appears to be a promising notion. Indications for further research aimed at formulating a comprehensive model are given.