Cyclone separators are coarse separators fitted with a spinning device. The latter causes an extremely high radial acceleration with correspondingly high centrifugal force to arise, so that a rotating air current is formed inside the cyclone separator. These centrifugal forces can rise to a multiple of the weight of the droplet itself. Through the centrifugal force thus created, solid particles as well as oil and water droplets are projected against the inner separator wall and, driven by gravity, flow downwards into the separator bowl. A separating shield (vortex arrestor) prevents the deposited liquid from being re-entrained again by the air flow. A condensate drain, fitted to the lowest point of the separator bowl removes the condensate. Cyclones of this design are used in similar applications to that of spin separators but are capable of separating droplets of a smaller limiting size. This is however, associated with higher compressed air losses. The separating efficiency of a cyclone amounts to about 98 - 99%, the droplet limiting size is around 10 - 50 microns.
Figure 4.3.1.1
