Effect of deposited particles and particle charge on the penetration of small sampling cyclones

Effects of particle mass deposited in the cyclone and particle electrostatic charge on the particle penetration of the commonly used 10 mm nylon cyclone have been experimentally investigated in this study. The solid particle penetration of the cyclone has been found to decrease with an increase in particle mass deposited in the cyclone. This effect is most significant for particles near the cutoff aerodynamic diameter and when the deposited particle mass is low. The penetration of the cyclone has also been found to be influenced by particle electrostatic charge. This effect is also significant for particles near the cutoff aerodynamic diameter and when the number of elementary units of charge is greater than several thousands. To overcome these problems, a new cyclone made of conductive aluminum and with inner diameter nearly twice that of the 10 mm nylon cyclone has been designed and tested. Experimental results indicate that effects of both deposited particle mass as well as electrostatic charge on the penetration are reduced substantially in this cyclone.