Numerical Simulation of Flow Field and Separation Performance of a Two-Cone Hydrocyclone for Oil-Water Separation

In order to study the internal flow field and oil-water separation mechanism of double cone hydrocyclone, based on fluid dynamics software Fluent, the effects of oil phase volume distribution, tangential velocity distribution, feed flow rate at different oil droplet sizes and fractional ratio at different oil concentration on the separation efficiency of the hydrocyclone were analyzed. The results show that the feed flow rate should be less than or equal to 3.5 m3/h to reduce the energy loss; The separation efficiency is the best when the oil droplet size is 1 mm–1.5 mm and the feed flow rate is in the range of 2.5 m3/h–3.5 m3/h; In order to achieve the highest separation efficiency, the split ratio should be 1.2–1.3 times of the inlet oil concentration. The research can provide reference for the separation mechanism and flow field characteristics of hydrocyclone.