Method for calculating the turbulence factor for a decanting centrifuge

摘要

A method for modeling the effect of turbulence on the cut point function of a decanting centrifuge includes inputting data related to the centrifuge including the bowl radius, r₂, the pond top radius, r₁, the bowl length, L_B, the angular velocity, omega, of the centrifuge into an analyzer, measuring data related to the feed fluid including a fluid density, beta_f, a particle density beta_s, a fluid viscosity, mu, and the flow rate, Q, and inputting the measured data into the analyzer, calculating a d₁₀₀ cut point as a function of the flow rate, modeling a first cut functions for laminar flow as a function of a particle diameter, d_i, using the calculated d₁₀₀ cut point function, calculating a maximum point within the pond, l_b, I_p, at which a particle having particle diameter, d_i, must reach a laminar boundary layer within the pond to be captured within the bowl, wherein I_b is defined as the distance from the inlet at which the particle having particle diameter, d_i encounters the laminar boundary layer and I_p is defined as the height of the boundary layer above a bottom of the pond and modeling a second cut function for turbulent flow having a laminar boundary layer along the bowl inner surface as a function of particle diameter, d_i. A turbulence factor is used to model the second cut function and may be used to predict a corrected cut point as a function of particle diameter.