A Large Eddy Simulation Study of Cyclones: The Effects of Interparticle Collisions on Erosion Prediction

Abstract

Cyclone separators are widely used in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units due to their lack of moving parts and relatively low-pressure drop. However, cyclone separators are prone to erosion-related issues, which is a major drawback. In this paper, a large eddy simulation (LES) of the particle-gas flow in a cyclone separator is investigated using a four-way Euler-Lagrange approach to model inter-particle collisions and the exchange of momentum between particles and fluid. The effects of inter-particle and particle-wall collisions are characterized in terms of erosive wear. Additional effects involving the exchange of momentum between the fluid and the particles are also discussed. The results show that considering the interparticle collisions between solid particles may be the key to predicting erosion.