Effects of a rough surface vortex breaker hydrocyclone on the separating capacity of heterogeneous fluid systems

This paper considers the issue of heterogeneous system separation efficiency under the action of centrifugal forces working in hydrocyclones. The main problem with these apparatuses is related to vortex forming. The paper describes the negative effects of vortexes on the heterogeneous medium separation process. A hydrocyclone design was developed and described, which improves the hydrocyclone separation capacity. This design introduces a vortex breaker. Furthermore, vortex formation can be eliminated or minimized by providing the vortex breaker with a rough surface. To determine the separation efficiency and the adequacy of the proposed solution, hydrodynamic computer simulation and experimental studies were conducted. Solidworks Flow Simulation software was used for hydrodynamic computer simulation. To check the medium separation degree, an experimental study was conducted showing improvement of the hydrocyclone separation capacity efficiency by 3% in the developed apparatus compared to conventional hydrocyclone designs. Keywords: hydrocyclone; separation; separating capacity; vortex breaker; heterogeneous system; oil preparation; hydrodynamics.