Abstract: It is common to use multiple mini-hydrocyclones in parallel arrangement for large-scale industrial applications.For two typical parallel arrangements in mini-hydrocyclone group, U-U type and Z-Z type, the characteristics of pressure drop and flow distribution were investigated and compared by using theoretical model and experiments.It is found theoretically that the value of Q³+R² has great influence on the performance of both parallel arrangements, where Q and R represent the momentum and the friction effects.The performance of U-U arrangement is better if Q³+R²<0, while that of Z-Z arrangement is better if Q³+R²>0.The experimental results show that the Z-Z arrangement presents better pressure drop distribution than the U-U type for 0.05≤P<0.10 MPa, but the flow distribution of both parallel arrangements is non-uniform under the condition.At P=0.10 MPa, uniform pressure drop and flow distribution are found for both arrangements.For 0.10<P≤0.15 MPa, the flow distribution of U-U arrangement is more uniform than Z-Z type.The pressure drop distribution of both arrangements has the same trend and is good.

Key words: mini-hydrocyclone, parallel, separation, pressure drop and flow distribution

关键词: 微旋流器, 并联, 分离, 压降和流量分布