Cyclones 101

[John Sprung]

What I think this site really needs is a basic overview of cyclone systems. What are all the parts, how do they connect together, how does it work, what do all the terms mean? Also, how about an overview of the numbers and math of it, like how do vacuum in inches of water and flow in cubic feet per minute relate to horsepower?

Here's what I've figured out so far looking at the pictures, and especially the video: Dust and air enter the top of the cylinder and cone thing at an angle so as to start them spinning around and down sort of like the little ball in a roulette wheel. Somehow -- and this is a part that needs more explanation -- this does a very good job of separating the solids from the air, so the dust keeps going down the funnel part and drops out the bottom into a sealed can, while the air is sucked up and out through a big pipe in the middle of the cylinder above the cone. Usually the blower and motor are mounted right on top of the cylinder part, for efficiency. After the blower, the air goes through a big filter to catch any fine dust that didn't go where we wanted it to go. Air flows out the sides of the filter and back into the atmosphere. It would be nice to see that done up as a really simple diagram with explanatory text pointed at the various parts of it.

Of course that needs a lot of stuff on the diagram that I haven't figured out yet, like where do the blast gates go and what do they do? One of them seems to be involved with cleaning out the filter, but I'm not clear on exactly what the operation and maintenance tasks are.

Anyhow, I think there are probably a lot of people like me who need an overview and starting point in understanding this technology.

Thanks --



-- J.S.