Hydrocyclone modeling: Large eddy simulation CFD approach

Finding a solution to the hydrocyclone problem has been a challenging task for the last 30 years. In the 1980s and 1990s, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used in an attempt to find a solution. These attempts, however, were unsuccessful due to oversimplification. Three-dimensional solutions using the κ-ε model and the Reynolds stress model (RSM) have been published in the past. In this paper, RSM and κ-ε models are compared with velocity profiles measured in 75- and 250-mm-diameter hydrocyclones. It is shown that results are not satisfactory with RSM or κ-ε and that a model called large eddy simulation is needed to describe velocity profile evolution and size classification. Copyright 2005, Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.

Fluid dynamics; Hydrocyclones; Large eddy simulation; Modeling Computational fluid dynamics; Computer simulation; Flow patterns; Mathematical models; Particle size analysis; Residual stresses; Reynolds number; Tensors; Velocity measurement; Hydrocyclone modeling; Large eddy simulation; Reynolds stress model (RSM); Cyclone separators

VIVO