A study on the characteristics and geometric optimization of a cyclone filter

Cyclone separator without filter is a common device used for separating solid–liquid/gas–solid/gas–liquid mixtures, which is widely used in chemical and household appliance industries. It has the advantages of high separation efficiency and low susceptibility to clogging. However, its separation efficiency cannot reach 100%, and some particles that enter the separator are not separated and will cause secondary pollution to downstream fluids. Combining the cyclone separator with a mesh filter to form a cyclone filter can achieve the complementary advantages of both, namely, high filtration efficiency and low susceptibility to clogging. For cyclone filters, particle shape has a significant impact on filter clogging, but there are few reports on this issue in the literature. In this paper, a new type of cyclone filter is proposed, and experimental and simulation methods are used to study its resistance characteristics. It is found that compared with the case of no filter, the flow resistance of the cyclone filter is significantly reduced, and the reason for the reduction in resistance is analyzed based on flow field analysis. The movement trajectory of flat and spherical particles in the cyclone filter and the problem of particle clogging on the filter are then studied. It is found that flat particles are more likely to cause clogging on the filter, and the reason for the clogging of the filter in the inlet area of the cyclone filter and the mechanism by which flat particles are more likely to clog the filter in the inlet area are analyzed based on the flow field and particle force in the separator. Finally, the inlet profile of the cyclone filter is optimized, and the changes in the inlet flow field and particle movement trajectory before and after optimization are compared. The problem of flat particle clogging on the filter is ultimately solved.