Hydrodynamic Characteristics and Particle Separation Efficiency in a Combined Hydrocyclone-Filtration Device

Research Hypotheses
This study is based on the central hypothesis that integrating cyclonic separation and porous media filtration within a single device creates a synergistic effect, significantly enhancing the removal of fine suspended particles from aquaculture tailwater. This synergy and the overall system performance can be optimized by adjusting three categories of parameters: structural (e.g., column length, cone angle), operational (e.g., inlet flow rate), and filter media properties (e.g., layer thickness).
Data Content
The research employed a combined numerical and experimental approach. Preliminary characterization of the pond tailwater revealed that the suspended particle sizes were predominantly distributed within the range of 0–150 μm, thereby defining the primary treatment target. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), a validated numerical model simulated the solid-liquid two-phase flow, generating detailed data on internal hydrodynamics (tangential velocity, pressure distributions) and separation efficiency for 50, 100, and 150 μm particles under varied parameters. These simulations were corroborated by experiments conducted on a geometrically scaled physical model, confirming model reliability with deviations under 10%.
Significant Findings
1.Structural Innovation: Designed an integrated hydrocyclone-filtration device by replacing the hydrocyclone’s conical section with multi-layer sintered metal mesh, balancing cyclonic separation and filtration advantages.
2.Comprehensive Analysis: Established a CFD numerical model (LES turbulence model, validated via physical tests with deviations <10%) to systematically analyze structural, operational, and filter material parameters’ effects on flow field characteristics (tangential velocity, pressure gradient, vortex intensity) and separation efficiency.
3.Key Findings: Identified parameter influence rules (e.g., separation efficiency peaks at 450 mm column length; filter layer thickness strengthens vortex intensity) and optimal configuration (370 mm column length, 18° cone angle, 45 mm overflow diameter, 1.0 mm filter thickness), achieving 80.3% separation efficiency for 150 μm particles.
4.Mechanism & Sensitivity: Clarified the coupling mechanism of flow field and separation performance; ANOVA confirms the influence order: filter layer thickness > column section length > cone angle > overflow outlet diameter (filter layer thickness, P<0.01).