Study on the Separation Performance of a Baffle Cyclone Clarifier

To improve fine particle retention in cyclone clarifiers for mine water treatment, we developed three baffle-structured cyclone clarifiers based on the traditional design: flat-baffle cyclone clarifier, convex-baffle cyclone clarifier, and concave-baffle cyclone clarifier. Using numerical simulation, a comparative analysis was conducted on the differences in flow field characteristics and particle separation performance between the traditional cyclone clarifier and the three types of baffle-structured cyclone clarifiers. The convex-baffle cyclone clarifier showed the highest pressure drop. At Section II-II, low tangential velocity minimized internal swirl, while Section I-I exhibited high axial velocity near the wall. The low upward axial velocity in the central region of Section II-II enhanced fine particle settling. The convex baffle also promoted uniform streamlines and efficient space utilization. The concave-baffle cyclone clarifier exhibited a larger flow angle relative to the baffle than the flat-baffle cyclone clarifier, causing stronger impingement and turbulence that transported particles to the overflow outlet. In contrast, the convex-baffle cyclone clarifier’s smaller flow angle yielded weaker impingement and more stable flow, reducing particle escape. Simulations confirmed that baffle-structured cyclone clarifiers improve particle removal. The removal efficiency of the convex-baffle cyclone clarifier reaches 78.19%, representing a 5.22% improvement compared to the traditional cyclone clarifier. Furthermore, the convex-baffle cyclone clarifier demonstrated the most effective removal of 5 μm particles compared with both the flat-baffle and concave-baffle cyclone clarifier.