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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #217032
Title: Effects of cyclone diameter on performance of 1D3D cyclones: Cut point and slope

Author
item FAULKNER, WILLIAM - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item Buser, Michael
item Whitelock, Derek
item SHAW, BRYAN - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Transactions of the ASABE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/26/2007
Publication Date: 4/22/2008
Citation: Faulkner, W., Buser, M.D., Whitelock, D.P., Shaw, B. 2008. Effects of cyclone diameter on performance of 1D3D cyclones: Cut point and slope. Transactions of the ASABE. 51(1):287-292.

Interpretive Summary: Cyclones are the most commonly used air pollution abatement device for separating particulate matter (PM) from air streams in agricultural processes. The objective of this research was to determine if cyclone performance characteristics are affected by the overall cyclone size and to determine if current theoretical models accurately predict the performance characteristics of the various cyclone sizes evaluated. There are two main parameters used to quantify cyclone performance characteristics: cutpoint and slope. Results of this research did not indicate any relationships between cutpoint and cyclone size, but did show the slope increasing with cyclone size. The theoretical models available in the literature were unable to accurately predict the cutpoints and slopes for the various cyclone sizes. The information gathered in this research point to the need for additional fundamental cyclone research.

Technical Abstract: Cyclones are a commonly used air pollution abatement device for separating particulate matter (PM) from air streams in industrial processes. Several mathematical models have been proposed to predict the cut point of cyclones as cyclone diameter varies. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between cyclone diameter, cut point, and slope of the fractional efficiency curve (FEC) based on empirical data. Tests were performed comparing cut points and FEC slopes of 15.24-, 30.48-, 60.96-, and 91.44-cm (6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-in.) diameter cyclones with poly-disperse PM having an aerodynamic mass median diameter near 10um. The mass of PM collected by the cyclones and the mass and particle size distributions of PM that penetrated the cyclones were used to determine each cyclone’s FEC, characterized by a cut point and slope. The cut points of cyclones showed no relationship to cyclone diameter, while the slope of the cyclone FECs increased as cyclone diameter increased. Statistically different collection efficiencies were observed among the 30.48-, 60.96-, and 91.44-cm (12-, 24-, and 36-inch) diameter cyclones. None of the previously published mathematical models analyzed in this paper accurately predicted cyclone cut point.