(315j) Modelling Swirl Flow at Different Viscosities

Swirl flow is the primary mechanism for separation of particles in a hydrocyclone. Examining the basic swirl flow mechanism is accomplished by using a cylindrical apparatus with rotating lids and a height-diameter ratio of one. The upper and lower lids of the cylinder are able to rotate in the counter and clockwise direction at different angular velocities. The flow regime was held in the laminar region in order for comparison of between the experimental and computational. Since the flow is very well defined in the laminar region, the deviations between the two methods should be minimal. A comparison of experimental results from a laser doppler anemometer is used to verify the results of the computational model.