Study of turbulent swirling flow in a rotating separation element of variable cross section

Abstract  In the present study, the distribution of circumferential velocity components of carrier flow in separation elements of air-centrifugal classifiers of powder materials has been experimentally examined. The study was carried out for variously contoured separation channels, and also for various conditions of a carrying agent (air) input in a separation zone. Optimal conditions for particle separation throughout the whole volume of the separation element can be organized by making the channel contour diverging towards the center of rotation. The experimental data gained in this study supplement the mathematical model for the aerodynamics of turbulent carrier flow in the shaped rotating separation elements of air-centrifugal classifiers and make an analysis of the separation-zone flow possible.