Abstract: Swirl tube is the separation unit of cyclone separator for purification of high-sulfur natural gas, which is the key internal component to achieve efficient gas-solid separation. Based on CFD-DPM method, the structural parameters of cyclone tube are optimized. Firstly, the key structural parameters are characterized to seven design variables, and the optimized physical model is established. The structural parameters and various models are set within the optional range by means of uniform design method, and the flow field distribution, particle separation trajectory, pressure drop, separation efficiency and other flow information are obtained by numerical simulation. In this paper, nondimensionless parameter Y is proposed as the optimization objective parameter, which takes into account the influence of separation efficiency and pressure drop comprehensively, and can effectively help to obtain the model and structural parameters with the highest separation efficiency within the allowable range of pressure drop. The detailed flow information of the optimal structure, such as flow field and separation trajectory, is analyzed in detail, which can provide important reference for the optimization design of the primary swirl tube.

Key words: feed natural gas, purification, cyclone separator, swirl tube, CFD-DPM, pressure drop, separation efficiency, nondimensional parameter