Cyclone Separator Calculator

Design gas-solid cyclone separators with cut diameter and efficiency calculations

Cyclone Geometry

Standard efficiency — good balance of collection & ΔP

Operating Conditions

Gas Flow Rate (m³/h)

Inlet Velocity (m/s)

Typical: 15–20 m/s

Cyclone Diameter (m)

Suggested for flow: 0.43 m

Fluid & Particle Properties

Particle Density (kg/m³)

Dust: 2500, Coal: 1300, Cement: 3000

Gas Density (kg/m³)

Gas Viscosity (Pa·s)

Air at 20°C: ρ=1.2 kg/m³, μ=1.8×10⁻⁵ Pa·s

Lapple (Standard Efficiency)

Inlet a×b: 215×108 mm

Exit Ø: 215 mm

Cylinder h: 860 mm

Total H: 1720 mm

Area A_i: 23112 mm²

Cut Diameter d₅₀

0.00μm

Pressure Drop

489.5573Pa

ΔP

1.97inH₂O

Actual Inlet Vi

12.0m/s

Performance Metrics

Separation Factor

34.3G

Number of Turns

8.0

Reynolds Number

344531

Inlet Area

23112mm²

Collection Efficiency vs Particle Size

1 μm

100.0%

2 μm

100.0%

5 μm

100.0%

10 μm

100.0%

20 μm

100.0%

50 μm

100.0%

100 μm

100.0%

200 μm

100.0%

Grade Efficiency Curve

Design Recommendations

✓ Excellent for fine particles (d₅₀ = 0.0 μm)

✓ ΔP = 490 Pa — low pressure drop

✓ Inlet Vi = 12.0 m/s — good range (10–25 m/s)

About Cyclone Separators

Cyclone separators use centrifugal force to separate particles from gas streams. The cut diameter (d₅₀) represents the particle size collected at 50% efficiency, calculated using Lapple's formula. Collection efficiency follows the Lapple efficiency curve: η = 1 / (1 + (d₅₀/dp)²). Higher inlet velocity and smaller diameter improve separation but increase pressure drop.