Performance evaluation and prediction model for novel elliptical cyclone separators

[Display omitted] •Performance superiority of different types of elliptical cyclones was experimentally confirmed.•0.5–2% increase of separation efficiency and 10–30% reduction of pressure drop.•Performance prediction models are established based on the elliptical equilibrium orbit. A novel cyclone separator with elliptical body has been proposed recently, but the general applicability of this technical approach has yet to be confirmed. Performance comparisons of the classical cyclone separators with circular and elliptical body were investigated experimentally. It was determined that the elliptical cyclones obtain an increment of 0.5–2% in separation efficiency and a reduction of 10–30% in pressure drop compared to the standard models. The industrial large-scale elliptical cyclone also has higher separation efficiency and lower pressure drop. In addition, the prediction model of fraction efficiency is established based on the force analysis of particles in elliptical equilibrium orbit, and the prediction model of pressure drop also has been developed. Both models demonstrate acceptable accuracy, with an error is less than 10%. The study not only confirms the performance superiority of the elliptical cyclones, but also establishes an acceptable prediction model for their performance assessment.