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Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurements and CFD Analysis of Vortex Flow in a Cyclone Separator

Lucarelli, Nicola
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1579623680778155

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Science in Engineering, Youngstown State University, Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.
An analysis of the vortex flow in a particle filtration device, known as a cyclone separator, was performed via computational and experimental models. Optical measurements were taken using pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) to capture the pressure field along the cone of a cyclone separator. An in-situ calibration method was utilized to offset the error induced via viscous heating of the fluid. The pressure drop, captured with both physical wall pressure taps and through PSP measurements, was much lower than expected when compared to Shephard and Lapple pressure drop theory. Conversely, the pressure drop along the cone wall predicted in the closed configuration computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model agrees in magnitude with the experimental data, although a bulk shift in the pressure level is present. Using a commercial computational fluid dynamics solver ANSYS Fluent, a Reynolds Stress Model was used to capture the anisotropic turbulence present in the cyclone separator. For computational analysis, two configurations were modeled. An open configuration, with a “once-through” vortex structure, was simulated and yielded drastically modified vortex flow characteristics compared to those from the literature. An additional closed configuration simulation was completed, which produced the typical reversed-flow vortex present in most cyclone separators. The results from the closed configuration model show good agreement with experimental and computational data from the literature. The closed configuration model produced tangential velocities approximately two and a half times greater than the supplied inlet velocity with a corresponding velocity profile following the typical Rankine vortex expected in cyclone flow. Analysis of the form of the free-vortex flow shows the CFD results following an inverse-power law relation between tangential velocity and radial position within the ranges expected from the literature. Furthermore, inspection of the unsteadiness present in the flow shows peaks near the unsteady precessing vortex core (PVC). A helical structure is also present in the flow giving an indication of a periodic internal flow structure.
Kevin Disotell, PhD (Advisor)
Stefan Moldovan, PhD (Committee Member)
Kyosung Choo, PhD (Committee Member)
97 p.
Aerospace Engineering; Fluid Dynamics; Mechanical Engineering
Pressure sensitive paint; Cyclone separator; Vortex flows; Computational fluid dynamics

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lucarelli, N. (2019). Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurements and CFD Analysis of Vortex Flow in a Cyclone Separator [Master's thesis, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1579623680778155

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lucarelli, Nicola. Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurements and CFD Analysis of Vortex Flow in a Cyclone Separator. 2019. Youngstown State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1579623680778155.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lucarelli, Nicola. "Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurements and CFD Analysis of Vortex Flow in a Cyclone Separator." Master's thesis, Youngstown State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1579623680778155

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ysu1579623680778155
528
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Youngstown State University and OhioLINK.