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Cyclone Design Spreadsheet

Revisions of the spreadsheet:

12/02/99	Option to use either metric or Imperial units added, explanation of the 'neutral vane' on the diagram added
04/03/99	Corrected cell O7, Efficiency 1 - thanks to Laercio Frare for pointing out this error
01/18/99	Additional worksheet showing standard cyclone dimensions in diagram form
11/26/98	Corrected error in cell D14 on efficiency sheets

Responding to a comment in my recent cyclone separators feature about there being no free software for cyclone design, Neil Stone from Esco Engineering wrote to me that he has developed a cyclone analysis spreadsheet for his own use and that he thought it might be worthwhile making it available to others. I also thought that. Neil took the time to clean up the spreadsheet and to add instructions for its use, and here it is.

The spreadsheet has been created with MS Excel but there should be no problem to import it to other spreadsheet programs. The file consists of several sheets:

• The 'Instructions' sheet includes (hopefully) all you need to know for doing the calculations.

• The 'Cyclone size' sheet allows calculation of dimensions for five standard cyclones given the flow rate, design inlet velocity, and gas density. Pressure drops are also predicted, but be aware that this is a very uncertain calculation.

• Two 'Efficiency' sheets allow calculation of cyclone efficiency according to two different methods. You can calculate both, and compare the results. Both sheets are set up with the same layout, so data can be copied between sheets easily. The efficiency calculation requires particle size data, cyclone dimensions, and physical property data for the gas and the solids. The calculation assumes that the size distribution of the particles is log normally distributed.

• The 'Charts' sheet graphs the penetration (col P = 1 - fractional efficiency) against particle size for the two efficiency calculation methods. The two efficiency sheets are not linked, so make sure they are both calculating from the same data if you want to compare the two efficiency calculations.

You may use this spreadsheet and also distribute the complete, unaltered (except for the input data) file to others for free. However, Neil Stone retains all rights to it and it may not be sold or distributed as part of another package that is sold without his express permission. All files are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind.

Neither Neil nor me can provide full technical support but we will do our best to answer questions or to help via e-mail (either to Neil Stone: jnstone@mnsi.net or to me: chemengineer.guide@about.com). Neil also welcomes any suggestions and comments from users that would make the spreadsheet better or more accurate. And now:

• Download spreadsheet file (cyclone.xls, 78 kB, updated version of 12/02/99)