Characteristics of liquid-solid two-phase flow field and structural optimization of hydrocyclones

Abstract:

Based on the distinct characteristics of sediment particles in South American white shrimp pond tailwater， a hydraulic cyclone separator was devised. Employing Computational Fluid Dynamics （CFD） alongside the Discrete Phase Model （DPM） and the Reynolds Stress Turbulence Model （RSM）， a numerical model for the cyclone separator's three-dimensional two-phase internal flow field was established. Design variables， including overflow port diameter， underflow port diameter， cone angle， overflow pipe insertion depth， and column length， were optimized using an L₁₆（4⁵） parameterized orthogonal optimization experimental model. This model assessed their impact on flow field characteristics and solid particle separation efficiency. Through range analysis， optimal parameter combinations were identified， achieving a balance between reducing pressure drop and enhancing particle separation efficiency. For example， parameters such as an overflow port diameter of 120 mm， an underflow port diameter of 32 mm， a cone angle of 18°， an overflow pipe insertion depth of 160 mm， and a column length of 390 mm resulted in a significant reduction in pressure drop by 9 842 Pa and a 12% increase in separation efficiency. Physical prototypes were fabricated and field-tested， confirming the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. Comparison of water quality characteristics at the cyclone separator's inlet， underflow， and overflow ports revealed negligible relative errors between simulated and experimental particle separation efficiencies， not exceeding 5%. These findings provide a solid basis for optimizing cyclone separators and their application in tailwater treatment in pond aquaculture.