EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF PRESSURE DROP IN VORTEX SEPARATION DEVICE WITH AXIAL SWIRLER

BDHIOC

Abstract

Vortex-type devices for separating gas-liquid flows in swirling flow are a common type of industrial equipment. However, most of the data on pressure drop for devices with axial swirlers is obtained in the air-water system. The goal of this work is to conduct experimental studies to assess the effect of the viscosity of the dispersed phase on hydraulic losses in a vortex separation device with an axial swirler. During the experimental study, the gas velocity changes from 15 to 23 m/s, the ratio of the liquid and gas phases from 0 to 0.3, the viscosity of the liquid from 1 to 50 mm²/s. In the course of processing experimental data, an empirical relationship was obtained that reflects the wall dependence of the increase in pressure drop in the device on the viscosity of the liquid phase. The results of studies have shown that an increase in the viscosity of the dispersed phase increases the pressure drop of the device and depends on the flow rate and flow regime. At a phase flow ratio of 0.05 to 0.3 the coefficient of hydraulic pressure of separator with axial swirler increases from 9.6 to 12.75 at a liquid viscosity of 1 mm²/s, from 10 to 14.5 at a liquid viscosity of 30 mm²/s, from 10.45 to 15.4 at a liquid viscosity of 50 mm²/s. The pressure drop ranged from 1400 to 3200 Pa at a gas velocity of 15 to 23 m/s. The experimental data obtained were compared with those of other authors for vortex elements of the axial type. Due to the use of the device for discharging the separated liquid, on average, a 2.2-times increase in pressure drop is observed among the modifications considered; however, a better separation of liquid from gas is provided.