Multi-Helical-Channel dust separator: CFD simulation and experiment

•A Helical-Channel-dust separator is investigated by simulation and experiment.•The mechanism is based on centrifugal and inertial forces acting on particles.•CFD and experiment investigations reveal of improved efficiency for fine particles. In this work, a Multi-Helical-Channel dust separator was investigated experimentally and numerically for separating fine particles from gas streams. It consists of two major parts including helical channels and gas contracting section. The device works on the basis of centrifugal forces and kinetic energy of particles in the helical and contracting sections, successively. Experimental investigations and CFD simulations were done to verify the performance of the apparatus. Separation efficiency and pressure drop were calculated and measured for velocities in the range of 8–13 m/s and particle sizes of 3–20 μm. It was revealed that even in low velocities separation of fine particles can be done efficiently.