Particle separation in a ramified structure
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE, 65 (4):
1400-1406 (2010)DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2009.10.012
Abstract
A new type of particle separator is proposed, namely a lung-like
branched structure. The separation takes place as a consequence of the
interplay between the flow characteristics in the branched geometry and
the distinct inertial properties of the dragged particles. From the
solution of the three-dimensional continuity and Navier-Stokes equations
for the flow and transport equations for the particles, we can
investigate how the resolution of the separation depends on the main
geometrical parameters of the ramified structure, namely the angle and
the homothety factor of the branchings, and the azimuthal angle between
successive planes of bifurcation. Remarkably, our numerical results
indicate that such a simple ramified geometry can be used as a flow
device that is capable to separate particles with increased efficiency
and over a broad range of Stokes numbers. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All
rights reserved.