This article presents the results of a numerical model of the natural gas purification process in a GP-604 multi-cyclone dust collector, which is used at compressor stations on main gas pipelines to remove solid mechanical impurities before gas is supplied to turbocompressor units. Due to the complex structure of the internal flows and the interaction between the gas and solid phases, the study was conducted using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods within the ANSYS Fluent R18.1 software environment. Turbulence was described using the k–ε model, which allows for flow mixing and vortex structure formation. The motion of the dispersed phase was reproduced using a discrete phase model (DPM), which enabled the trajectories of particles in the flow to be determined and their deposition efficiency in different zones of the apparatus to be assessed. Regularities in the formation of rotating flows and recirculation zones, as well as their influence on the hydrodynamics inside the multicyclone, have been established. This is of great importance for increasing cleaning efficiency. The deposition efficiency as a function of particle size has been calculated: for diameters of 12–23 µm, it reaches 95–99%, whereas for particles smaller than 5 µm, it is approximately 87–90%. Additionally, an analysis of the influence of gas flow velocity, cyclone geometry and input flow distribution on device efficiency has been conducted, enabling more accurate prediction of its behaviour in different modes. The modelling results showed that cleaning efficiency largely depends on the uniformity of flow distribution between individual cyclones and the accuracy of the parameters used in the numerical model. The agreement between the obtained data and the operational characteristics of the device confirms the adequacy of the applied CFD models and their suitability for optimising dust collector designs in gas transportation systems. CFD is therefore a powerful tool for engineering analysis in the design, modernisation and maintenance of natural gas purification equipment. Further research could focus on studying the influence of the device's operating temperature and pressure conditions, analysing the behaviour of particles of different natures and densities, and optimising the geometric parameters of the multicyclone to maximise the removal of the smallest impurities. Additionally, these results could inform the development of new design solutions for dust collectors and provide recommendations for operating compressor stations under real industrial gas supply conditions.

Abstract

This article presents the results of a numerical model of the natural gas purification process in a GP-604 multi-cyclone dust collector, which is used at compressor stations on main gas pipelines to remove solid mechanical impurities before gas is supplied to turbocompressor units. Due to the complex structure of the internal flows and the interaction between the gas and solid phases, the study was conducted using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods within the ANSYS Fluent R18.1 software environment. Turbulence was described using the k–ε model, which allows for flow mixing and vortex structure formation. The motion of the dispersed phase was reproduced using a discrete phase model (DPM), which enabled the trajectories of particles in the flow to be determined and their deposition efficiency in different zones of the apparatus to be assessed. Regularities in the formation of rotating flows and recirculation zones, as well as their influence on the hydrodynamics inside the multicyclone, have been established. This is of great importance for increasing cleaning efficiency. The deposition efficiency as a function of particle size has been calculated: for diameters of 12–23 µm, it reaches 95–99%, whereas for particles smaller than 5 µm, it is approximately 87–90%. Additionally, an analysis of the influence of gas flow velocity, cyclone geometry and input flow distribution on device efficiency has been conducted, enabling more accurate prediction of its behaviour in different modes. The modelling results showed that cleaning efficiency largely depends on the uniformity of flow distribution between individual cyclones and the accuracy of the parameters used in the numerical model. The agreement between the obtained data and the operational characteristics of the device confirms the adequacy of the applied CFD models and their suitability for optimising dust collector designs in gas transportation systems. CFD is therefore a powerful tool for engineering analysis in the design, modernisation and maintenance of natural gas purification equipment. Further research could focus on studying the influence of the device's operating temperature and pressure conditions, analysing the behaviour of particles of different natures and densities, and optimising the geometric parameters of the multicyclone to maximise the removal of the smallest impurities. Additionally, these results could inform the development of new design solutions for dust collectors and provide recommendations for operating compressor stations under real industrial gas supply conditions.