Rotational particle separator : an efficient method to separate micron-sized droplets and particles from fluids

The rotational particle separator (RPS) has a cyclone type house within which a rotating cylinder is placed. The rotating cylinder is an assembly of a large number of axially oriented channels, e.g. small diameter pipes. Micron-sized particles entrained in the fluid flowing through the channels are centrifugated towards the walls of the channels. Here they form a layer or film of particles material which is removed by applying pressure pulses or by flowing of the film itself. Compared to conventional cyclones the RPS is an order of magnitude smaller in size at equal separation performance, while at equal size it separates particles ten times smaller. Applications of the RPS considered are: ash removal from hot flue gases in small scale combustion installations, product recovery in stainless environment for pharma/food, oil water separation and demisting of gases. Elementary formulae for separation performance are presented and compared with measurements performed with various RPS design.