A high-pressure, continuous-operation cyclone separator using a water-generated flow restriction

A novel high-pressure, continuous-operation separator for moderately laden, gas–solid flows was designed, built, and tested. The novelty of this device was its use of supplemental water to produce a virtual flow restriction that acted to maintain high-pressure and to prevent gas from escaping with the separated solids. The water–solid slurry thus produced may be pumped, and can be continuously and easily conveyed away. Over a range of practical operating points, the separator showed very high collection efficiencies (>90%), low-pressure drop, and robust operation. A minimum supplemental water requirement was determined to prevent gas loss with the separated solids stream.