Experimental study and analysis on drag reduction mechanisms of reducing pressure drop stick in a cyclone separator

The mechanisms of mean mechanical energy losses in a cyclone separator with a Repds (Reducing Pressure Drop Stick) are studied. The results show that the energy losses are mainly caused by direct viscous dissipation, turbulent diffusion, and turbulent energy production, which is the same as in a conventional cyclone separator. In particular, the direct viscous dissipation and the turbulent energy production are of importance. Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) is used to measure the flow field in the cyclone body and the exit pipe of a cyclone separator with and without a Repds, respectively. The drag reduction mechanism of the Repds is analyzed by examining the effects of the Repds on flow parameters which are related to energy loss factors. The measured results and analysis reveal that the drag reduction results from decreases of the direct viscous dissipation, turbulent diffusion, and turbulent production as a whole when a Repds is inserted into a cyclone separator. The resultant drag reduction is a tradeoff between the increase and the decrease of energy losses caused by the Repds.