A CFD simulation of a single phase hydrocyclone flow field

Journal Article

2005

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Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

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Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

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University of Cape Town

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Abstract
The hydrodynamics of a hydrocyclone present a complex internal flow structure, the numerical simulation of which remains a nontrivial task. We report on three-dimensional water-only computational fluid dynamics (CFD) hydrocyclone flow field predictions and highlight some of the issues concerned with the development of a CFD model incorporating an air core. The potential for the application of CFD as a hydrocyclone design tool is also discussed. Physically realistic velocity profile predictions were obtained, which challenge the classical account of the hydrocyclone radial particle classification mechanism. A pressure field distribution consistent with literature reports was also predicted.
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