MECHANICS

Simulation of aerodynamics of a swirling turbulent flow in the expanding channel of an air-centrifugal classifier

A. E. Solomakha, A. V. Shvab

Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation

Abstract: Air-centrifugal classifiers are promising devices for the highly efficient fractional separation of powder materials by size. To improve the sharpness of the separation of solid particles in centrifugal devices, a uniform distribution of the carrier gas flow velocities is required. This article studies the aerodynamics of a swirling turbulent flow in a classifier with a particle separation zone of various geometries. The turbulence is simulated using the RANS method and the Wilcox turbulence model. To assess the classification efficiency, an engineering approach determining the average velocity of the particles with sizes close to a limiting size is proposed. A comparison of the modeling results with the experimental data and test study results justifies their reliability.

Keywords: numerical modeling, Reynolds equations, turbulence model, curvilinear coordinates, centrifugal classifier.

UDC: 532.517.2+621.928.93

Received: 30.01.2025

DOI: 10.17223/19988621/96/12