Studies were made on the velocity distribution of water in a hydraulic cyclone, by taking photographs of the loci of polystyrene particies floating in the water, in various horizontal and vertical sections.
For the measurements of the absolute velocity, two spot lights were obtained by means of a special stroboscope at certain definite time intervals. Based on these photographs we have calculated tangential, radial and vertical components of velocities in various positions. For the radial velocity calculation, we have taken into account possible errors due to the centrifugal force and the density difference, when ρ_p=1.03 and d_p=70μ. The cyclone consisted of a cylindrical part, 79mm in inner diameter, 154mm in height, and 15° in angle of its conical part.
With the tangential component (Figs. 5 and 6), two domains were found to be existing, represented by Eqs. (6) and (7), just like in case of a gas cyclone. The exponent of r in Eq. (7) increased up to a unity according as the position of the cyclone went downward. As for the radial velocity, remarkable fluctuations, unsymmetries and secondary flows were observed (Figs. 7, 8 and Table 3). On the average, however, as in Fig. 9, an inward velocity zone was found both near the wall and the central air column, between them existing an outward velocity zone. There were fluctuations in the vertical velocity. When all overflow happened (R=0), there was a downward flow near the wall and upward flow within, no maximum being observed. On the other hand, in case R=1, there was a downward flow near the air column, causing a maximum upward velocity, as a consequence. When R=1/6, the flow in the upper part resembled the flow in case R=0, while in the lower part, it resembled the flow in case R=1.
The material balance of the water passing through the horizontal section was calculated, as well.