Particulates - Cyclones

Control of particulate pollutants from stationary sources

Figure: Cyclone Collector

Cyclones provide a low-cost, low-maintenance method of removing larger particulates from a gas stream. The general principle of inertia separation is that the particulate-laden gas is forced to change direction. As gas changes direction, the inertia of the particles causes them to continue in the original direction and be separated from the gas stream. The walls of the cyclone narrow toward the bottom of the unit, allowing the particles to be collected in a hopper. The cleaner air leaves the cyclone through the top of the chamber, flowing upward in a spiral vortex, formed within a downward moving spiral. Cyclones are efficient in removing large particles but are not as efficient with smaller particles. For this reason, they are used with other particulate control devices.

Because the particulate control devices discussed above capture the pollutants but don't destroy them, proper disposal of the collected material is needed. Collected solid particles are most often disposed of in a landfill. Wastewater generated by scrubber must be sent to a wastewater treatment facility. When possible, collected particle matter is recycled and reused.