Comparative Analysis of Eulerian and VOF Model in Multiphase Hydrocyclones Simulation

Authors

  • Muhammad Faisal School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
  • Mohaimen Hassan Qayyum Khan Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
  • Syed Hashim Ali Shah State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Pakistan
  • Furqan Ahmad School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
  • Muhammad Haris Malik School of Energy and Power Engineering, Department of Fluid Machinery and Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70112/arme-2026.15.2.4365

Keywords:

Multiphase Flow Simulation, Euler vs VOF Model, Hydrocyclones, CFD Analysis

Abstract

This paper investigates the performance of the Volume of Fluid (VOF) model in simulating the multiphase flow within a hydrocyclone, with a focus on air-water separation. A comparative study is conducted between the VOF multiphysics model and the Eulerian model to assess their respective accuracy in predicting key flow characteristics. The study incorporates a grid independence test using the K-epsilon turbulence model, with the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) employed for turbulent flow representation in the multiphysics model. The boundary conditions are carefully maintained as per the reference study, with a velocity inlet of 6 m/s for water and pressure outlet boundary conditions (zero pressure) for both the overflow and underflow. The results are validated against experimental data from the literature, highlighting the accuracy and reliability of the VOF model in capturing the flow dynamics within the hydrocyclone. The simulation results, including velocity contours and pressure gradients, demonstrate the formation of vortices and air-core formation within the hydrocyclone, both of which influence the overall separation process. The air-water mass fraction contours further provide insights into the distribution of phases within the cyclone. Comparisons of the velocity contours and pressure gradients with experimental data highlight the reliability of the CFD model and its potential for optimizing hydrocyclone design and performance.

References

[1] S. K. Tripathy, S. K. Bhoja, C. Raghu Kumar, and N. Suresh, “A short review on hydraulic classification and its development in mineral industry,” Powder Technology, Jan. 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2014.09.049.

[2] B. Wang and A. B. Yu, “Computational investigation of the mechanisms of particle separation and ‘fish-hook’ phenomenon in hydrocyclones,” AIChE Journal, vol. 56, no. 7, pp. 1703–1715, Jul. 2010, doi: 10.1002/aic.12114.

[3] F. Concha, A. Barrientos, J. Montero, and R. Sampaio, “Air core and roping in hydrocyclones,” 1996.

[4] C. W. Haig, A. Hursthouse, S. McIlwain, and D. Sykes, “An empirical investigation into the influence of pressure drop on particle behaviour in small scale reverse-flow cyclones,” Powder Technology, vol. 275, pp. 172–181, May 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2015.02.011.

[5] S. Kuang, Z. Qi, A. B. Yu, A. Vince, G. D. Barnett, and P. J. Barnett, “CFD modeling and analysis of the multiphase flow and performance of dense medium cyclones,” Minerals Engineering, vol. 62, pp. 43–54, 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2013.10.012.

[6] M. Narasimha, M. S. Brennan, and P. N. Holtham, “CFD modeling of hydrocyclones: Prediction of particle size segregation,” Minerals Engineering, vol. 39, pp. 173–183, Dec. 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2012.05.010.

[7] K. W. Chu, B. Wang, A. B. Yu, and A. Vince, “CFD-DEM modelling of multiphase flow in dense medium cyclones,” Powder Technology, vol. 193, no. 3, pp. 235–247, Aug. 2009, doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2009.03.015.

[8] R. K. Tue Nenu and H. Yoshida, “Comparison of separation performance between single and two inlets hydrocyclones,” Advanced Powder Technology, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 195–202, Mar. 2009, doi: 10.1016/j.apt.2008.08.004.

[9] T. R. Vakamalla, K. S. Kumbhar, R. Gujjula, and N. Mangadoddy, “Computational and experimental study of the effect of inclination on hydrocyclone performance,” Separation and Purification Technology, vol. 138, pp. 104–117, Dec. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2014.10.013.

[10] M. Ghodrat, Z. Qi, S. B. Kuang, L. Ji, and A. B. Yu, “Computational investigation of the effect of particle density on the multiphase flows and performance of hydrocyclone,” Minerals Engineering, vol. 90, pp. 55–69, Aug. 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2016.03.017.

[11] K. Nageswararao, “Modelling of hydrocyclone classifiers: A critique of ‘bypass’ and corrected efficiency,” Powder Technology, vol. 297, pp. 106–114, Sep. 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2016.04.016.

[12] C. Zhang, D. Wei, B. Cui, T. Li, and N. Luo, “Effects of curvature radius on separation behaviors of the hydrocyclone with a tangent-circle inlet,” Powder Technology, vol. 305, pp. 156–165, Jan. 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2016.10.002.

Downloads

Published

12-09-2026

How to Cite

Faisal, M., Qayyum Khan, M. H., Ali Shah, S. H., Ahmad, F., & Muhammad Haris Malik. (2026). Comparative Analysis of Eulerian and VOF Model in Multiphase Hydrocyclones Simulation. Asian Review of Mechanical Engineering, 15(2), 42–56. https://doi.org/10.70112/arme-2026.15.2.4365

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2026): July-December 2026

Section

Research Article

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Centre for Research and Innovation

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.