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Effects of Cyclone Diameter on Performance of 1D3D Cyclones: Collection Efficiency

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  064165,  2006 ASAE Annual Meeting . @2006
Authors:   William B. Faulkner, Michael D. Buser, Derek P. Whitelock, Bryan W. Shaw
Keywords:   Cyclone, collection efficiency, particulate matter, PM, similitude, dust, abatement

Cyclones are the most commonly used air pollution abatement device for separating particulate matter (PM) from air streams in agricultural processes, such as cotton gins. Several mathematical models have been proposed to predict the performance of cyclones as cyclone diameter varies. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between cyclone diameter and collection efficiency based on empirical data. Tests were performed comparing cyclone collection efficiency 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 10 ìm. The mass of PM collected by the cyclones and the mass of PM that penetrated the cyclones was used to determine the collection efficiency of each cyclone. The collection efficiency of cyclones decreased nonlinearly as cyclone diameter increased with statistically different collection efficiencies observed among the 30.48-, 60.96-, and 91.44-cm (6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-in.) diameter cyclones. None of the mathematical models analyzed in this paper accurately predicted cyclone performance.