Centrifugal separator apparatus for removing particulate material from an air stream

Abstract

Horizontal, negative pressure centrifugal separator apparatus ( ) is provided for separating particulate material from an air stream that exhausts from the outlet of a horizontal, industrial size, rotary drum dryer ( ). The centrifugal separator is especially adapted to be connected to the negative pressure inlet of a primary fan ( ) which pulls large volumes of air through the rotary drum dryer. The separator apparatus includes wall structure which defines two aligned primary spiral separation plenum chambers (e.g. ) joined to an intermediate spiral discharge plenum chamber (e.g. ), all of which intercommunicate. A pair of oppositely facing plenum chamber divider members each having a central aperture therein are mounted in the plenum chambers on opposite sides of the discharge plenum chamber and function as pressure regain stacks. Air streams containing particulate materials which are introduced into the air inlets of the primary separation plenum chambers each follow a serpentine path in a respective primary chamber before flowing through a corresponding plenum chamber divider member spiral velocity regain stack into the spiral chamber of the discharge plenum chamber. Discharge openings are provided in the primary spiral plenum chambers in positions permitting particulate material separated from the air stream as a result of centrifugal force thereon, to gravitate to a collection point therebelow. The centrifugal separator apparatus will handle an approximately 40% greater air flow than a comparable, conventional cylindrical stack member with essentially the same pressure drop.