Experimental and CFD study of influence of sediment size on efficiency of hydrocyclone for use as sediment separation device

Hydrocyclones are separation devices used in several industrial applications for separation of particles even smaller than 5 μm. However, this paper presents the feasibility of using hydrocyclone as a sediment separation system in hydropower plants, as well as in the development of a non-recirculating type of an erosion test rig. The design of the experimental set up is a part of the erosion test rig that consists of a discrete sediment feed and separation system to conduct erosion related research. Experimental as well as numerical investigation of effect of sediment particles sizes on overall separation efficiency of hydrocyclone geometry is conducted. Hydrocyclone's overall efficiency is depicted by measuring the particle separation and its variation with sediment particle's size. The results indicated that under appropriate flow conditions, particles below 200 μm that are responsible for turbine wear can be separated and prevented from entering into the system. Also, it can be concluded that this system can be used to develop non-recirculating type of erosion test rig.