Four-Phase Eulerian-Eulerian Model for Prediction of Multiphase Flow in Cyclones

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to present a new code, the CYCLO-EE3, which is based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. The model used is based on the Eulerian-Eulerian approach and it is composed of several time differential equations in a 3-D-space domain with a 3-D symmetric cyclone inlet. The solid phase is treated like a hypothetical fluid and drag forces between phases are responsible for the gas-solid interaction. The CYCLO- EE3 code makes possible the use of up to three solid phases, each one with size of particle, density and specific volumetric fraction. The mathematical model is completed using a hybrid turbulence model composed of the combination of the (k-e) standard model and Prandtl's longitudinal mixing model to represent the turbulence of the gas phase. The model is solved using the finite volume method with staggered grids in the cylindrical coordinate system. The numerical results allowed prediction of the pressure drop and the collection efficiency as well as the complete fluid dynamic behavior of the gas-solid flow for the cyclone. The collection efficiency and pressure drop from an experimental study reported by literature were used to validate the model. A comparison between the experimental data and the numerical results shows that the CYCLO-EE3 code predicts the results well.