Question

What is the reason why in a cyclon smaller particles can be separated, compared to a simple gravity chamber?

Answer 1

The thing with gravity settlers is that the equipment must be very large in order to reduce the gas velocity to a reasonable low value which allows the finer particles to settle. For an example, if we need to remove the particles of size 20 um and 2000 kg/m³ density from a gas stream flowing at 10 m³/s, the size of settling chamber would be required to be 3000 m³.

Cyclone separators are suitable for finer particles or dust - laden particles because withing less size compared to gravity settlers they are able to separate fine particles from gas.