Accepted Manuscript

Title: Numerical simulation of supersonic separator with axial

or tangential outlet in reflow channel

Authors: Dapeng Hu, Yingguang Wang, Cheng Ma

PII: S0255-2701(17)31066-8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2017.12.004
Reference: CEP 7138

To appear in: Chemical Engineering and Processing

Received date: 23-10-2017

Revised date: 4-12-2017
Accepted date: 4-12-2017

Please cite this article as: Dapeng Hu, Yingguang Wang, Cheng Ma, Numerical
simulation of supersonic separator with axial or tangential outlet in reflow channel,
Chemical Engineering and Processing https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2017.12.004

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Numerical simulation of supersonic separator with axial or tangential outlet in reflow
channel
Dapeng Hua, Yingguang Wanga,b,*, Cheng Maa
a
Department of Chemical Machinery, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116012, China
b
PetroChina Liaohe Petroleum Engineering Co., Ltd. (LPE), Panjin 124010, China

Graphical abstract
 

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1.6 without reflow channel z=0.00m
without reflow channel
without reflow channel z=0.01m

Centrifugal acceleration(m/s2)
7
Swirl Converging 1.4 with axial outlet z=0.00m
2.0x10 with axial outlet in reflow channel
Manometer Discharge
generator section Diverging Diffuser
with axial outlet z=0.01m 7
section opening chamber 1.2 with tangential outlet z=0.00m 1.6x10
with tangential outlet z=0.01m
Dry gas 1.0

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7

Ma number
1.4 1.2x10
Throat
Diversion 0.8 1.2 6
Wet gas cone 0.6 1.0
8.0x10
Filter 0.4 0.8 6
Reflow channel Separator cavity 1.0 4.0x10
0.7 0.8 0.9
0.2 0.5 0.0
liquid 0.0

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0.25 0.30 0.35 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.8 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.8
-0.2 Axial distance(m)
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
5
Axial distance(m) Rnp=1.5 9
1.5x10
8.0x10

Centrifugal acceleration(m/s2)
5
1.0x10

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4
5.0x10
Swirler and diversion cone 6.0x10
9

Ma number 0.0
9 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2
Without reflow channel 4.0x10 8
1.5x10
8
1.0x10
9 7
with axial outlet 2.0x10 5.0x10
0.0
The flush type 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
with tangential outlet 0.0

  U 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

Axial distance(m)
1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
 
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Highlights
 A novel supersonic separator with axial and tangential outlet in reflow channel has a better
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refrigeration and separation performance.

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 The supersonic separator can obtain the better performance for axial reflow outlet with Rnp=1.5 and
for tangential reflow outlet with Rnp=2.0.

 The structure with axial reflow outlet enlarges the supersonic region and has a better ability to resist
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flow fluctuation and backmixing under the same condition (Rnp=1.5).

 The increasing pressure ratio can improve the fluid expansion characteristics and the reflow impetus
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for the novel supersonic separator.

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A novel supersonic separator with reflow channel that has axial outlet or tangential outlet has been
designed. The fluid can be drawn into the nozzle by the differential pressure between the discharge
clearance on the wall and the throat zone near the centerline. Axial and radial distribution of the main
parameters and the effect of pressure ratio were investigated with Reynolds Stress Mode (RSM) turbulence
model.The results showed that compared with the device without reflow channel, the pressure recovery in
the diffuser with reflow channel is faster,the centrifugal acceleration is higher and the temperature is
lower,which manifests the new device has a better refrigeration and separation performance. The
supersonic separator with axial reflow outlet can obtain the better performance with pressure ratio of 1.5
that has a lower temperature (221 K) and higher centrifugal acceleration (2.2×107 m/s2), while the higher
centrifugal acceleration (9.89×109 m/s2) and lower temperature (223 K) can be achieved in the device with
tangential reflow outlet when pressure ratio is 2.0.Moreover,the structure with axial reflow outlet enlarges
the supersonic region in the novel device and has a better ability to resist flow fluctuation and backmixing
under the same condition (Rnp=1.5). As the pressure ratio increases,the position of shock wave shifts
downstream,the centrifugal acceleration and the reflow impetus increase, while the min temperature

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decreases, which proves that the increasing pressure ratio can improve the fluid expansion characteristics.

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ABSTRACT: In the separation process of the conventional supersonic separator, the shock wave easily
appears in diverging section of the nozzle and the swirling flow occurs in subsonic conditions with poor

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efficiency, which make the low temperature section short and the cooling effect dissatisfied. In this paper,
a novel supersonic separator with reflow channel that has axial outlet or tangential outlet has been
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designed. The fluid can be drawn into the nozzle by the differential pressure between the discharge
clearance on the wall and the throat zone near the centerline. Axial and radial distribution of the main
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parameters and the effect of pressure ratio are investigated with Reynolds Stress Mode (RSM) turbulence
model. The results show that compared with the device without reflow channel, the pressure recovery in
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the diffuser with reflow channel is faster, the centrifugal acceleration is higher and the temperature is lower,
which manifest the new device has a better refrigeration and separation performance. The supersonic
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separator with axial reflow outlet can obtain the better performance with pressure ratio of 1.5 that has a
low temperature (221 K) and high centrifugal acceleration (2.2×107 m/s2), while the high centrifugal
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acceleration (9.89×109 m/s2) and low temperature (223 K) can be achieved in the device with tangential
reflow outlet when pressure ratio is 2.0. Moreover, the structure with axial reflow outlet enlarges the
supersonic region in the novel device and has a better ability to resist flow fluctuation and backmixing
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under the same condition when pressure ratio is 1.5. As the pressure ratio increases, the position of shock
wave shifts downstream and the centrifugal acceleration and the reflow impetus increase, while the
minimum temperature decreases, which prove that the increasing pressure ratio can improve the fluid
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expansion characteristics.
Keywords: Supersonic separator; Laval nozzle; Reflow channel;Swirling flow; Shock wave; Numerical
simulation
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* Corresponding author:

E-mail address: wangyingguang7@126.com

1. Introduction
As the proportion of natural gas in energy consumption is growing, the adverse effect of impurities
in natural gas gathering and transportation process is paid wide attention. Therefore, the dehydration and
hydrocarbon dew point control is an important part in natural gas processing treatment. Nevertheless, the
conventional technologies[1] do not conform to the development requirements of the gas processing
including the safety, environmental protection and energy saving[2-3].
Supersonic separator is a novel technology and a unique combination of known physical processes,
aerodynamics, thermodynamics and fluid dynamics. Many researches have investigated the design,
performance and efficiency, economic viability, and industrial applications of these separators. Garret[4-8]
designed a series of devices for separation of condensable components from a gas mixture. The outlet
diffuser of a converging-diverging nozzle in the device is attached to a curved channel. Successively
though they adopted several measures to improve the separation performance, the structure is too complex
and electromagnetic field or inhibitor is needed to solve the problem of hydrate and frozen wall. Linhardt
and Beveridge[9] and Nasikas[10] proposed a separator to remove particulate matter from a carrier gas with

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the principle of the centrifugal force and oblique shock wave or normal shock wave. However, the

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separation in the downstream of the shock wave results in the strong vortex and the shock waves can make
the liquid droplets reevaporate, which increases pressure head losses. Moreover, it is difficult to control
the generation and position of shock wave. Haghighi[11-12] proposed a novel design with a variable

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turning radius. The device maximizes the centrifugal acceleration and separation performance by avoiding

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shock wave before separation. But the research did not specify the structural design such as settings of
drainage hole, and did not also consider the effects on separation efficiency.
Besides the above mentioned U type supersonic separators, presently there are two different methods

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widely adopted to design and install the swirling device. One is that the swirling device is designed as a
delta wing and installed after the nozzle exit for example Twister™ Mark I[13]. The other is that the guide
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blades are designed as the swirling device and located in the upstream of the nozzle entrance such as
Twister™ Mark II[14-16] with annular cross-section and 3S separator[17-18] with circular cross-section.
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So far the studies of supersonic separator are mainly based on the above two kinds of separators.
Gu et al.[19] designed a supersonic separator like Twister™ Mark I. The swirl generator in the device
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at least has a couple of symmetrical and tangential inlet. Liu[20] developed a swirl generator with single
screw structure fixed at the entrance of the straight section. Liu and Bao[21] proposed a recycling
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supersonic separator with recycling chamber between the straight section and the diffuser that improves the
efficiency of separation and dehydration[22-24]. However, the evaporative source is once again introduced
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into the nozzle with the special structure and the liquid in the wet gas will occupy the circulation area of the
nozzle, which affect the working state of the nozzle. Chen[25] and Kang[26] accomplished the preliminary
design of adjustable gas-liquid separator that achieves the adjustability of blade angle and technological
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structure. Zhang[27] and Liang[28] designed a set of experimenting assembled and adjustable supersonic
separators that have various kinds of moving components for the combined and adjustable purpose. But
the above adjustable structures increase the leak point and the instability of flow field, especially for
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high-pressure systems. Although all of these new devices without an inner body have been structurally
improved, the vortex generator is placed in high speed area after the throat which causes some complex
shock waves and the problem of large flow loss.
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Pang[29] and Liu et al[30] used the method of equivalent cross-sectional area to design and manufacture a
new supersonic separator with inner solid body and external shell. Through change of shape of the internal
entity, the annular cross-sectional is changed. Wen et al[31] proposed a device that is similar to the internal
structure described above. But the swirl blades are in the converge section of the nozzle, which is not
conducive to reducing the flow resistance. Ma[32] developed a novel device with inner pyramid. The
convergence and divergence of cross-section area are actualized by changing outer diameter of the inner
pyramid. However, the resistance is increased on account of the radial placement of swirl blades and inner
pyramid. Cao and Yang[33] designed a new separator with an ellipsoidal central body that is proposed to
reduce gas flow resistance. The swirling motion is generated by the swirling vanes located in the subsonic
part of the channel. Meanwhile, Bai and Chang[34] also invented a supersonic gas dehumidifier of shock
wave controlled. The combination of single shock waves and oblique shock waves in the nozzle also
reduces the intensity of a single shock wave and the shock loss. But the separation of the boundary layer
and the secondary evaporation of the droplet can not completely eliminated. Eriqitai et al[35-36]
introduced a dual-throat supersonic separation device with porous wall that connects the two sides of a
so-called second throat in order to improve flow rate through the device. But the strong swirl flow results
in low pressure in the center of the cyclone and instability of flow field, which brings the peripheral flow
to the vortex flow center and affects the separation of droplets. In above structures the fluid has begun to

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spin before the fluid flows into the nozzle because of swirl generator preposed. The disadvantage is large

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viscous loss especially when it is applied to low flow rate and the swirling flow may damage the expansion
effect.
Bai et al[37] developed supersonic spin flow separation and back pressure device with multiple inlet that

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achieves the spin flow by using the nozzle group of tangential intake ports. Liu et al[38] introduced the

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flow in a tangential manner through two symmetrically openings, which move the generation of the swirl to
the subsonic section and also remove the need for a blade system to generate swirl. While the equipments
above mentioned have the higher resistance as result of the tangential inlet.

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A throttleable sonic nozzle was designed by Cheng et al[39] on the basis of normal sonic nozzle, which
achieves continuous throttling by a plug moving along axis. Adopting the twice-envelope method, the
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contour of the plug was designed to satisfy the linear characteristic of mass flow rate. In practice, the cone
can be driven by motor. However, it is a pity that the design is aimed at gaseous propellant instead of the
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supersonic separation. Moreover, Pouriya et al[40] proposed a solution to set the backpressure in a way
that the shock wave is returned to the same position in the system as in the normal operation. However, the
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method is only analyzed theoretically. In practice the back pressure is determined by the system, and
adjusting the back pressure will affect the whole system. Therefore, the method of controlling shock
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position should be applied poorly.

In the paper, a new type of the supersonic cyclone separator of self-injection and circulating reflux is
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developed. The new device has a better refrigeration and separation performance that improves the fluid
expansion characteristics and ability to resist flow fluctuation and backmixing. Meanwhile, the axial-flow
swirl generator is installed in the front of supersonic nozzle to generate swirl gas flow that provides
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centrifugal force, which decreases the energy loss and avoids destroying the low pressure and low
temperature environment by a swirling ring setup in the downstream of the diverging nozzle. The
cross area of the throat can be adjusted by changing the distance of the guide cone entering the
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throat, which avoids the leakage of medium compared with adjustable structures. The discharge
chamber adopts the flush and ring structure with the diverging part, which improves the supersonic
flow in the nozzle and has less influence on the flow condition in the nozzle. Moreover, the smaller
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obliquity of discharge cavity can reduce the effect of drainage port on supersonic flow[41].
2.Supersonic separator with self-injection and circulating reflux
2.1 The overall structure and principle of the novel supersonic separator
Figure 2.1 shows the structure of supersonic separator with self-injection and circulating reflux in this
study. The device is composed of five key parts including mainly swirling generator, Laval nozzle, diffuser,
liquid discharge chamber and reflow channel.
Fig.2.1 Schematic graph of supersonic separator with self-injection and circulating reflux
 The wet gas flows into the inlet passage and the axial-flow swirling device that is used to generate a
swirling flow to obtain a strong centrifugal force for separating the condensed liquid droplets. Then the
fluid accelerates through the converging section to the throat and its largest achievable speed at the throat
is the sonic speed. And then the supersonic speed is achieved at the nozzle diverging part. The low
pressure and low temperature are correspondingly obtained as a result of the gas expansion, which results
in that water vapor and heavy hydrocarbon component condense into liquid droplets. In the diverging part
the liquid droplets are centrifuged onto the wall and removed from the discharge chamber into the
separator cavity, where the liquid is removed and through pressure difference the gas is reinjected into the
reflow channel that is inside the cyclone and diversion cone. Then the dry gas flows through the diffuser in
which the pressure is recovered and then be released or used for other purposes. The design utilizes the

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low pressure near the throat of Laval nozzle by the swirl and supersonic velocity and introduces flow from

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the discharge chamber to the throat and diverging part.
2.2 Three dimensional axial-flow swirler
The traditional structure increases the energy loss and even destroys the low pressure and low

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temperature environment by a swirling ring setup in the downstream of the diverging nozzle. Moreover,

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the traditional tangential swirler before the converging nozzle results in the high energy loss and low
separation efficiency[42]. To overcome these disadvantages, the axial-flow swirl generator is installed in
the front of supersonic nozzle to generate swirl gas flow that provides centrifugal force. In the study the

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cure surface of guide vane has two directrixs and a generatrix which are inner directrix l1,outside directrix
l2,and a generatrix ab as shown in Fig. 2.2. The molding principle is as follows[43]: the straight generatrix
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ab is moving along the cylindrical inner directrix l1 to form the three dimensional surface. The intersecting
curve of the three dimensional surface and the outside cylinder is the outside directrix l2. Consequently the
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curve equations of vane can be obtained based on the equation of inner directrix l1 and outside directrix l2.
As shown in Fig.2.3, the swirling generator is composed of 8 vanes and the height of the swirling
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generator H=160mm, the exit angle of vane β1=55º.

Fig. 2.2 The directrix and generatrix diagram of the guide blade of swirling generator
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Fig.2.3 Structural diagram of the axial-flow swirling generator

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2.3 Laval nozzle and diffuser

Fig.2.4 The structure model and dimensions of supersonic separator
The geometric model of Laval nozzle and diffuser is shown in Fig 2.4. For the convenience of
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manufacture, the straight method is utilized to calculate the converging contour of the nozzle and the
diverging part is designed as a straight section, too. The axial-flow swirler can be connected with the guide
cone. The cross area of the throat can be adjusted by changing the distance of the guide cone entering the
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throat. The axial-flow swirler not only avoids the energy loss when mixture gas strikes on blades, but also
gets the high centrifugal acceleration that guarantees the droplets can be thrown to the surface of the nozzle
in a short time. 
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The conical diffuser has diffusing channel with two steps whose diffuse angle is 3ºand 6º respectively.
The smaller angle can decrease relaxedly the flow velocity and avoid disadvantageous effect on the flow
field in the nozzle. The bigger angle is used to decrease the velocity, get back the pressure energy and
reduce the energy loss. The specific method to design the Laval nozzle can be found in the literature[41].
Table 2.1 The main structural parameters of supersonic gas separator
2.4 The discharge chamber and Reflow channel
Fig 2.5 Structural diagram of liquid outlet and the flush type discharge chamber
 The discharge chamber adopts the flush and ring structure with the diverging part, which has less
influence on the flow condition in the nozzle[41]. The discharge clearance is Lb=1.5mm.The inner angle
is θ1=8º and the outer angle is θ2=22º in the chamber.
Fig 2.6 Structural diagram of outlet in Reflow channel. (a) axial outlet; (b) tangential outlet
The reflow channel is installed between the liquid outlet and diversion cone connected with swirler. The
reflow channel goes through the macrocosm with regurgitant passage into the throat, which is composed of
diversion cone and swirler, as shown in Fig. 2.1 and Fig. 2.4. Fig2.6 shows the two types of outlet in
reflow channel, one is axial outlet and the other is tangential outlet.

3.Numerical Simulation

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3.1. Governing equations

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The governing equations describing the flow in a supersonic separator involve the continuity,
momentum and energy equations, and their general forms can be described as[1,45]:

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Continuity equation:
 
 ui   0 （1）

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t xi
Momentum equation:

 ui    1
uiuj    p  ij  ij  fi
t

xi xi xj xj
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Energy equation
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
t
   
E    ujE  ujp    uiij  ui ij1   q j  q j 1  fiui  0
xj xj xj
（3）
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Where ρ, u, p,  , ƒ,E and q are density, velocity, static pressure, viscous stress tensor, volume stress,
total energy, and heat flux, respectively.
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3.2. Turbulence model and Thermodynamic properties

It is particularly important to employ an appropriate turbulence model for the numerical calculation of
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fluid flow in a supersonic separator, in which the anisotropic effect is significant due to the turbulence flow
at a high speed with a strong swirl. In the current turbulence models, one of the greatest advantages is the
Reynolds Stress Model that can accurately calculate the anisotropic effect, such as the buoyancy effect,
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rotating effect, near-wall effect,etc. Therefore, we employ the Reynolds Stress Model to model the
complex swirling flow in a supersonic separator. As the supersonic separation process is performed at low
pressure in this study, the ideal gas model[46] is employed to predict gas dynamic parameters in this
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simulation.
The exact transport equations for the transport of the Reynolds Stresses may be written as follows:


  
  
 
 uiu j u k  p kj ui   ik u j  
  
  
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 uiu j  u k uiu j    uiu j 

t xk xk xk  xk 

   uiu j
u j
xk
u 

 u j u k i    g i u j  g j ui
xk 
 （4）

 u  u j  u  
 p i    2  j ui  Fij  S u
 x j xi  xk xk
 
 where Fij and Su present system rotation and source term.Please refer to the Fluent manual[47].for a
detailed description of the RSM model and solution of the related parameters.
3.2 Numerical schemes
In our numerical simulation, the finite volume method is employed to discretize the governing equations
with the ANSYS FLUENT code and the velocity and pressure fields are coupled by the SIMPLE algorithm.
According to the flow characteristics of the supersonic flow in the supersonic swirling separator, pressure
boundary conditions are assigned to the inlet (wet gas inlet) and outlet of the nozzle (gas outlet and liquid
outlet). Non-slip and adiabatic boundary conditions are specified for the walls. The convergence criterion
is 10-6 for the energy equation residual error,10-3 for other equations' residual error, and the mass flow rate
absolute error between the inlet and outlet is less than 10-4.

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3.4 Geometry and Grid generation

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Fig 3.1 Mesh methodology for the supersonic separator
The structure of supersonic separator used in this simulation case includes a wet gas inlet, a Laval

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nozzle, a swirling device, a straight tube, a diffuser, a dry gas exit, a liquid exit and reflow channel, as
shown in Fig. 2.4. The key sizes of the supersonic separator are put forward in the Table 2.1. The mesh

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system is one of the major concerns for the numerical simulations. The structured and unstructured grids
are employed for the supersonic separator to obtain the high quality mesh in this study. The tetrahedral and
hybrid elements are utilized for the spinning vane and discharge chamber area as a result of the

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complicated geometry, and the hexahedral elements are performed for all the other parts of the supersonic
separator. The mesh sensitivity test of the supersonic separator is carried out to obtain the mesh
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independent results, and approximately 443,607 elements are performed for the numerical simulations.
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3.5 Validation of numerical method
Fig 3.2 Geometrical model of experimental nozzle
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Table 3.1 Operating parameters of experimental nozzle

Table 3.2 Structural parameters of experimental nozzle
The model validation work is performed in a Laval nozzle according to the previous publication[48].
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The nozzle geometry used is shown in Fig 3.2. Detailed information about operating and structural
parameters of experimental nozzle can be found in Tab 3.1 and Tab 3.2. The medium of numerical
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simulation is air. The working conditions are as follows: the inlet temperature is 288 K and the inlet
pressure is 0.46 MPa, the outlet pressure is 0.10 MPa. The comparisons of the pressure distribution are
shown in Fig 3.3. The simulation data is basically consistent with the experiment data in the range of
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0~100 mm, but the certain deviation turns out above 100 mm, which mainly results from the wet air as
testing medium in the original experiment. The spontaneous condensation releases latent heat and causes
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the expansion process to deviate constant entropy expansion. In the validation work, the simulation fluid is
dry air and the condensation of wet air has not been considered, which make the condensation process
decline along isentropic expansion line and the static pressure is below slightly the experiment data above
the 100mm. Therefore, our computational approach can predict the supersonic flow very well in the range
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of 0~100 mm.
Fig 3.3 The pressure distribution along the axis of nozzle in the model validation
4.The numerical simulation results and analysis
4.1 The supersonic separator with axial outlet in reflow channel
Fig 4.1 Distribution maps of Mach number in the nozzle. (a) without reflow channel; (b) with axial outlet
in reflow channel; (c) with tangential outlet in reflow channel
Fig 4.2 Static pressure contour map of supersonic nozzle. (a) without reflow channel; (b) with axial outlet
in reflow channel; (c) with tangential outlet in reflow channel
Fig 4.3 Static temperature contour map of supersonic nozzle. (a) without reflow channel; (b) with axial
outlet in reflow channel; (c) with tangential outlet in reflow channel

The simulation is carried out with the pressure ratio Rnp=1.5, inlet pressure Pin = 0.15 MPa and inlet
temperature Tin = 300 K. The contour of Mach number is presented in Fig.4.1. The Mach number in the
structure without reflow channel is higher along the centerline (z=0.00 m) than that in the axial reflow
structure, but it turns out just the opposite result at the other section (z=0.01 m). For axial reflow
equipment, the velocity at the central axis (z=0.00 m) is lower than that at other cross section (z=0.01 m)
all the time and the flow field remains stable and uniform respectively in the centerline and other zone of

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the laval nozzle. However, the Mach number lines alternate (0.427 m) for non-reflow equipment, which

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shows that the fluid appears back mixing. The velocity has the same tendency that the flow rate has a
minimum in the three structures. But in the axial reflow equipment,after the flow velocity reaches

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supersonic speed at the throat,Mach number quickly reduces to subsonic then gradually achieve the
supersonic again at the centerline (z=0.00 m), which is because that the subsonic flow in axial reflow

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channel affects the flow field near the throat and as the fluid moves, the surrounding fluid drives the axial
fluid and keeps it consistent with the main fluid movement. In addition, the position of the shock waves is
0.72 m closer to the drain and 0.643 m, respectively in the diverging section with axial reflow outlet and

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without reflow channel. Thus it can be seen that the differences between the structure of the non-reflow
and axial reflow outlet result from the flow in reflow channel can occupy central low pressure area, which
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shows that the structure with axial reflow outlet can eliminate back mixing and improve the ability to resist
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flow fluctuation.
Fig 4.2 and 4.3 show that the flow is maintained in the supersonic state in the diverging part of Laval
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nozzle, so the low-pressure and low-temperature environment for the condensation has been obtained. The
position of shock is consistent with the contour of Mach number. There is an obvious low pressure area in
the axis zone in Fig 4.2. The pressure difference between high pressure zone (z=0.01 m) and low pressure
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zone (z=0.00 m) gradually decreases as the fluid flows. And the pressure difference in axial reflow device
is greater than that in the non-reflow structure, which is mainly because that for the nozzle without reflow
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channel, the high pressure fluid flows to the low pressure field generated by the strong swirl flow and
supersonic velocity, while the axial reflow structure keeps the flow consistent with the axial direction and
avoids backmixing phenomenon effectively. It is also shown from Fig 4.2 that the design of reflow channel
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works effectively and the pressure is recovered faster in the diffuser of nozzle with axial outlet in reflow
channel than that in the device without reflow channel. Fig.4.3 shows that in the centerline region (z=0.00
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m), the lowest temperature is 221 K and 231 K, respectively in the nozzle with axial outlet in reflow
channel and without reflow channel, which indicates the novel supersonic separator has a better
refrigeration performance and the reflow channel with axial outlet makes the fluid in the nozzle swell even
more.
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Fig. 4.4 Centrifugal acceleration contour map of device without reflow channel and with axial outlet in
reflow channel
The distribution of the centrifugal acceleration is shown in Fig 4.4. It shows that the biggest centrifugal
acceleration is 2.2×107 m·s−2 in the throat with axial reflow outlet, which is 2.67 times higher than that
without reflow channel. The centrifugal acceleration reaches to the maximum level at throat area and dies
away gradually in the divergent parts of the nozzle. Therefore, the swirl strength can not simply be
measured through the maximum centrifugal acceleration in the nozzle, but the attenuation extent of
centrifugal acceleration should be considered, too. Furthermore, the centrifugal acceleration in the exit
section of nozzle should be employed to characterize the minimal value of swirl strength. Fig. 4.4 depicts
that the attenuation of centrifugal acceleration in the non-reflow device is faster than that in the device
with reflow channel. And the centrifugal acceleration is 5.5×106 m·s−2 in the outlet of nozzle with axial
reflow outlet that is 12 times higher than that without reflow channel. This illustrates that the new structure
with axial reflow outlet contributes to improving the swirling characteristic to remove the condensed
droplets.
4.2 The supersonic separator with tangential outlet in reflow channel
It is shown in Fig 4.1,4.2 and 4.3 that the shock appears (0.629 m) in the nozzle farther from the outlet

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of nozzle than the other structures. The oscillation occurs near the throat area which results from the

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flowing of tangential outlet in reflow channel and the self-oscillation has little effect on airflow. The trend
of velocity changing is similar to the non-reflow nozzle.In the tangential reflow structure, the max Ma
number is 1.25 (z=0.00 m) and 1.20 (z=0.01 m) near the outlet of nozzle, which are the maximum possible

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velocity in the three structures. And the position of backmixing is 0.52 m that is behind 0.427 m in the

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non-reflow nozzle, which proves the structure with tangential reflow outlet has a better ability to resist
flow fluctuation and backpacking than non-reflow nozzle, but it is weaker than the structure with axial
outlet in reflow channel.Furthermore,the minimum temperature can reach 223 K (z=0.00 m) and 235 K

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(z=0.01 m), which are between the non-reflow structure and axial reflow structure as shown in Fig 4.3.
Fig. 4.5 Centrifugal acceleration disturbance distribution at pressure ratio 1.5 with tangential outlet in
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reflow channel
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Fig 4.5 depicts that the maximum centrifugal acceleration can reach 7.8×109 m/s2 in the throat area and
1.64×107 m/s2 in the outlet of nozzle, which is far more than that in the separator without reflow channel
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and with axial outlet in reflow channel. And the distribution of centrifugal acceleration is more uniform
than that of the device with axial outlet, which is beneficial to the separation of droplet and improve
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separation performance. But the attenuating speed of centrifugal acceleration in the tangential
outlet structure is quicker.
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Fig 4.6 The pressure distribution of the device at throat (x=268 mm) under pressure ratio of 1.5 without
reflow channel, axial outlet and tangential outlet in reflow channel.
The reflux propulsion is the differential pressure at both ends of the reflow channel. Fig 4.6 shows that
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the pressure at the throat with reflow channel is lower than non-reflow channel. And for the separator with
tangential reflow outlet, the differential pressure at both ends of the reflow channel is higher than that with
axial reflow outlet. All the above mentioned evidences show that the reflux propulsion in new separator
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with tangential reflow outlet is maximum, which is more useful to fluid going through the discharge
chamber to the throat.
But above all, under the same conditions (Rnp=1.5, Pin =0.15 MPa and Tin =300 K), although the
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centripetal acceleration, Ma number and the reflow impetus in the equipment with tangential reflow outlet
is greater than the equipment with axial reflow outlet, the position of shock is closer to the nozzle outlet,
the minimum temperature is lower, the supersonic region is more extensive and there is no back-mixing
phenomenon for the equipment with axial reflow outlet. So the overall performance of the reflow
equipment with axial outlet is better.

4.3 Effect of pressure ratio on supersonic separator

4.3.1 The supersonic separator with axial outlet in reflow channel
Fig 4.7 Ma number distribution at different pressure ratio with axial outlet in reflow channel
Fig 4.8 Pressure distribution at different pressure ratio with axial outlet in reflow channel
Fig 4.9 Temperature distribution at different pressure ratio with axial outlet in reflow channel
The three cases of different Rnp are calculated that is defined as the ratio of the total pressure of the inlet
to the pressure of the outlet. Fig 4.7, Fig 4.8 and Fig 4.9 show the variation of Ma number, static pressure,
temperature with the increase of axial distance under different Rnp. As shown in Fig 4.7 that the shock is
shifted downstream, and the Mach number and total pressure loss increases when Rnp increases. when Rnp is
1.3, there is one shock in the diverging section (0.297 m) of Laval nozzle. But when Rnp is 1.4 and 1.5,
there are two shocks distinctly whose positions are 0.63 m (Rnp=1.4) and 0.72 m (Rnp=1.5) in the Laval

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nozzle, and 0.790 m (Rnp=1.4) and 0.820 m (Rnp=1.5) in the diffuser. Fig 4.8 shows that as the pressure

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ratio increases, the pressure difference increases between the cross section (z=0.01 m) and the centerline
zone (z=0.00 m), which laterally reflects the increase of the reflow impetus. Nevertheless, because of the
increase of resistance, the pressure difference decreases with the flow of fluid. As is illustrated in Fig4.9

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that as the pressure ratio and axial distance increase, the temperature drops before shock and the

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temperature difference increases between the two cross section (z=0.00 m and z=0.01 m), which proves
that the increasing pressure ratio can improve the fluid expansion characteristics under high strong swirling
flow. The minimum temperature is respectively 237 K (Rnp=1.4), 221 K (Rnp=1.5) in the centerline zone

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(z=0.00 m), and 239 K (Rnp=1.4), 236 K (Rnp=1.5) in the other section (z=0.01 m). When Rnp is 1.3, the
shock appears near the throat and then the temperature is rising, so it has the worst performance. Instead,
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it has good performance under pressure ratio of 1.5, when taking account of certain factors such as shock
wave position, minimum refrigerating temperature and back mixing,etc.
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Fig 4.10 Centrifugal acceleration distribution with axial outlet in reflow channel
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The centrifugal acceleration distribution in the device with axial outlet in reflow channel is shown in
Fig4.10. The centrifugal acceleration increases with pressure ratio increasing and the swirling device
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produces maximum centrifugal field to separate fluid near the throat area. Soon after the centrifugal
acceleration is diminishing from throat to diffuser. In addition, the expansion characteristic and swirling
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separation performance are opposing for the supersonic separator[2], which means that strengthening the
swirling flow is bound to weaken expansion effect under certain condition, and vice versa.
4.3.2 The supersonic separator with tangential outlet in reflow channel
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Fig4.11 Ma number distribution with tangential outlet in reflow channel

Fig4.12 Pressure distribution with tangential outlet in reflow channel
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Fig4.13 Temperature distribution with tangential outlet in reflow channel

The Ma number, static pressure and temperature with tangential reflow outlet at different pressure ratio
in the simulation is shown in Fig 4.11, Fig4.12 and Fig4.13. The general trend of the above flow
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parameters is correspond to the structure with axial reflow outlet at different pressure ratio. When Rnp is
from 1.5 to 2.0, there are two positions where shocks appear, one is 0.63 m (Rnp=1.5), 0.70 m (Rnp=1.7)
and 0.752 m (Rnp=2.0) in the diverging section of Laval nozzle, the other is 0.788 m (Rnp=1.5), 0.855 m
(Rnp=1.7) and 0.951 m (Rnp=2.0) in the diffuser. In Fig 4.13, the minimum temperature can reach 223 K
(Rnp=1.5), 221 K (Rnp=1.7), 219 K (Rnp=1.7) in the centerline region (z=0.00 m), and 235 K (Rnp=1.5), 233
K (Rnp=1.5), 232 K (Rnp=1.7) in the other section (z=0.01 m). Thus it can be seen that with the increase of
pressure ratio, the shock position moves back and the minimum temperature decreases. As is illustrated in
Fig 4.11 and Fig 4.13 that the line intersections occur, which indicates the backmixing phenomena appears
and the backmixing position is closer to the outlet of nozzle compared with non-reflux equipment (see Fig
4.1 and Fig 4.3). Fig 4.12 shows that as the pressure ratio increases, the pressure difference is nearly
unchanged between the two cross section (z=0.01 m and z=0.00 m).That is because the tangential outlet in
reflow channel has little impact on the axial flow field in the centerline zone. However,
with increase of nozzle pressure ratio, the differential pressure has a slightly increase at both ends of the
reflow channel, which is a sign of impetus increasing. Moreover, as the axial distance increases, the
decreasing trend of pressure difference is consistent with axial reflux equipment.
Fig 4.14 Centrifugal acceleration distribution with tangential outlet in reflow channel

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Fig 4.14 shows the centrifugal acceleration strengthens from 7.8×109 m/s2 to 9.89×109 m/s2 in the throat
area with the increase of the pressure ratio. However,the impact of the pressure ratio on the swirling

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characteristic gradually declines in the diverging area and diffuser, where centrifugal acceleration changes
slightly from 1.64×107 m/s2 to 1.84×107 m/s2 as the pressure ratio increases.

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For the device with tangential outlet in reflow channel, the centrifugal acceleration is even greater, but

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the shock waves are easily generated in the nozzle, which can be improved by increasing the pressure ratio
to move the shock downstream. That is,the shock waves and centrifugal acceleration are mutually
exclusive for two type outlet in reflow channel under the same condition (Rnp=1.5). It is consequently

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needed to find the balance between the shock waves and centrifugal acceleration when we evaluate the
effect of pressure ratio.
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Through the above-mentioned describe, it can be seen that with the increasing of pressure ratio, the
characteristic of the flow field improved gradually. When the pressure ratio is 2.0, the flow field has not
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only low temperature 223 K (z=0.00 m), but also swirling flow with the high vortex acceleration of
9.89×109 m/s2, which suggests that the novel supersonic separator with tangential reflow outlet has a better
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cooling and separation performance.

4.4 The interaction between shock and boundary layer in the supersonic separator
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In general speaking,were it not for the interaction between shock wave and the boundary layer, there
would be only one positive shock wave in the supersonic nozzle that achieves the transformation from
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supersonic velocity to subsonic velocity. But the interaction between shock waves and boundary layer
changes the whole flow field structure and a series of shock occur.
When the device is started,the gas of high speed and low pressure in the outlet of nozzle bumps into the
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high pressure fluid in the discharge clearance that results from the reflow channel connected with the
throat, which forms the reversed compression wave near the outlet of nozzle.Because of the low speed and
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large velocity gradient near wall, the reversed compression wave has intense influence on the velocity and
increases the thickness of boundary layer as shown in Fig.4.15. when the flow field is stable, the shock
occurs in the nozzle and results in pressure increase, which forms the reversed compression and thickens
the boundary layer, too. The thickened boundary layer decreases the real section area near the outlet of
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nozzle and affects the flow field.As shown in Fig 4.7 the fluid arrives at subsonic velocity (0.76 m) after
the shock appears in the vicinity of the outlet of nozzle. According to the isentropic and adiabatic principle,
when Ma<1, the decreasing cross section like second throat make velocity grow to sonic speed and the
velocity reach supersonic speed in the diverging section of diffuser. The pressure and temperature decline
behind the outlet of nozzle (0.76 m). And then the dry gas goes into the diffuser, where shock occurs again.
As the fluid continues to pass through the shock wave, the flow becomes subsonic and the fluid
temperature and pressure are recovered in the diffuser.
 It can be seen from the device structure that the reflux propulsion is the differential pressure between the
discharge clearance on the wall and the throat zone near the centerline. The reflux propulsion comes from
two aspects, one is the high pressure near the wall in the outlet of nozzle that is caused by the supersonic
speed and the shock, the other is low pressure near the throat in the centerline zone caused by the strong
swirl and supersonic speed.
Fig.4.15 Distribution of gas dynamic parameters at the drain cavity and diffuser inlet with axial outlet in
reflow channel. (a) Rnp=1.3; (b) Rnp=1.4; (c) Rnp=1.5

Fig.4.15 further describes the Ma number,static temperature and pressure near the drainage cavity and
diffuser. It demonstrates that as the pressure ratio increases, the compression wave enhances the effect on

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boundary layer that is markedly thickened near the drainage cavity and entrance of diffuser, which results

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in the decrease of cross-sectional area.
Fig 4.16 Distribution of gas dynamic parameters at the drain cavity and inlet of diffuser with tangential

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outlet in reflow channel. (a) Rnp=1.5; (b) Rnp=1.7; (c) Rnp=2.0

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Fig 4.16 shows the same varying tendency under different pressure ratio conditions. But in the device
with tangential reflow outlet,the effect of compression wave on boundary layer is less than that with axial

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reflow outlet at the same pressure ratio of 1.5. And the pressure ratio rises with an accompanying rise in
influence between shock and boundary layer as shown in Fig 4.16.
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4.5 The structure of shock in the supersonic separator
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According to the above research,the shock train can be found in the three types of structure. In the flow
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with shock train, the pressure increases and the first oblique or normal shock is where the majority of the
pressure rise occurs, and then the pressure rises gradually through the subsequent shocks. Furthermore, the
interaction between the normal shock wave and the turbulent boundary layer becomes complex with an
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increase of Mach number just before the shock train and a Mach number decreases through the shock train.
Therefore, the flow undergoes successive changes from supersonic regime to subsonic regime[49]. In the
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diverging section of nozzle,the shock train is made up of four shocks in non-reflow structure, but there are
two shocks forming the shock strain in the structure with reflow channel (see Fig 4.1, Fig4.2 and Fig 4.16
(a)). And the shock train is basically continuous in the nozzle without reflow channel, while in the reflow
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device, the shock train is clearly separated by the flow field at the axis generated by the reflow channel and
just relatively weak in the device with tangential outlet in reflow channel. Moreover, in the diffuser the
shock train comes out in the structure without reflow channel and with tangential reflow outlet, and there
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are strong normal shock in the device with axial reflow outlet as shown in Fig 4.2 and Fig 4.16 (a). It can
be seen through the above analysis that under the same condition, the structure with axial reflow outlet has
more influence on the structure of shock than other structures.
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For the device with axial reflow outlet,Fig 4.9 shows the shock train only occurs near the throat when
Rnp is 1.3. when pressure ratio is from 1.4 to 1.5, the shock train gradually develops and strengthens in
nozzle and diffuser, and changes into positive shock waves in the diffuser when pressure ratio reach 1.5.
For equipment with tangential reflow outlet, the shock has the same varying tendency with axial reflow
device under different pressure ratio. However, only in the high pressure ratio of 1.7 and 2.0, the shock
wave is converted into a positive shock wave as shown in Fig 4.16.
5.Conclusions
 The structure of the supersonic separator with self-injection and circulating reflux was designed. The
physical and mathematic model of air in the novel separator was given. The flow characteristics of air were
also investigated in numerical simulation and compared with separator without reflow channel. Based on
the results of this paper the following conclusions can be drawn.
Under the same conditions (Rnp=1.5, Pin=0.15 MPa and Tin=300 K), the novel supersonic separator with
reflow and tangential outlet in reflow channel can respectively achieve a lower temperature 221 K, 223 K
and higher centrifugal acceleration 2.2×107 m/s2, 7.8×109 m/s2, which prove that the novel supersonic
separator has a good cooling,and separation performance. And in the separator with axial reflow outlet the
shock wave occurs in the distance 0.72 m closer to the outlet of nozzle and it has a better ability to resist
flow fluctuation and backmixing, so it is a better choice when the pressure ratio is 1.5. However, when the

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pressure ratio is 2.0, the supersonic separator with tangential reflow outlet not only expanded the gas to

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supersonic velocity with low temperature 223 K and the position of shock is 0.752 m near the drain, but
also strengthened the swirling flow with the high vortex acceleration of 9.89×109 m/s2, which indicates it

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has a better dehydration performance than the axial reflow device with Rnp=2.0.
The reflux propulsion for the reflow channel is the differential pressure between the discharge

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clearance on the wall and the throat zone near the centerline. The reflux propulsion in new separator with
tangential outlet is maximum, which is more useful to fluid going through the discharge chamber to the
throat. With the pressure ratio increasing,the position of shock wave moves back from the divergent

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section of nozzle to the diffuser, the centrifugal acceleration and the impetus increase, and the min
temperature decreases, which proves that the increasing pressure ratio can improve the fluid expansion
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characteristics. Moreover, the interaction between shock and boundary layer increases as pressure ratio
increases. And the interaction alters the whole flow field structure and a series of shock trains occur.
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But above all, the novel supersonic separator has a good cooling, pressure recovery and separation
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performance.

Acknowledgments
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This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21206013 and No.
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21476036) and Basic research project of Key Laboratory of Liaoning Provincial Education Department
(No. LZ2015019)
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 Swirl Converging Diverging Manometer Discharge
generator section section opening chamber Diffuser
Dry gas

Throat
Diversion
Wet gas cone
Filter Separator
Reflow
channel cavity

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Fig.2.1 Schematic graph of supersonic separator with self-injection and circulating reflux

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Fig. 2.2
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Schematic diagram of the guide blade of swirling generator
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M
D

Fig.2.3 Structural diagram of the axial-flow swirling generator

TE
EP

 
CC

Fig.2.4 The structure model and dimensions of supersonic separator

A

Fig 2.5 Structural diagram of liquid outlet and the flush type discharge chamber
 (a) (b)
Fig 2.6 Structural diagram of outlet in Reflow channel. (a) axial outlet; (b) tangential outlet.

T
IP
 

R
SC
      
Fig 3.1 Mesh methodology for the supersonic separator

Dth U
N
Din Dout
A
L1 L2
M

 
Fig 3.2 Geometrical model of experimental nozzle
D

0.5
TE

Experiment Data
Simulation Data
0.4
Static pressure (MPa)
EP

0.3

0.2
CC

0.1
A

0.0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Axial Distance (mm)  
Fig 3.3 The pressure distribution along the axis of nozzle in the model validation
 1.6 0.427 without reflow channel z=0.00m
0.629 0.643 without reflow channel z=0.01m
1.4 with axial outlet z=0.00m
with axial outlet z=0.01m
1.2 with tangential outlet z=0.00m
with tangential outlet z=0.01m
1.0 0.629
Ma number

1.4
0.72
0.8 1.2

0.6 0.52 0.72 1.0 Ma number

0.8
0.4 1.0 (a)
0.6430.7 0.8 0.9
0.2 0.5
(b)
0.0
0.25 0.30 0.35
-0.2

T
(c)
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
Axial distance(m) Rnp=1.5  

IP
Fig 4.1 Distribution maps of Mach number in the nozzle. (a) without reflow channel; (b) with axial outlet
in reflow channel; (c) with tangential outlet in reflow channel

R
SC
1.0 0.5 without reflow channel z=0.00m
without reflow channel z=0.01m
0.4 with axial outlet z=0.00m
with axial outlet z=0.01m
0.8 0.3

0.2
0.30 0.35
with tangential outlet z=0.00m
with tangential outlet z=0.01m

U
N
P/Pin

0.6
0.6 Pressure(pa)
0.5
A
(a)
0.4 0.4
0.3 (b)
M

0.2
0.2 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
(c)
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
Axial distance(m) Rnp=1.5
D

Fig 4.2 Static pressure contour map of supersonic nozzle. (a) without reflow channel; (b) with axial outlet
TE

in reflow channel; (c) with tangential outlet in reflow channel

260
EP

300
240
220
280 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 270
Temperature(K)

CC

240
260
210
Temperature(K)
240 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
without reflow channel z=0.00m (a)
A

without reflow channel z=0.01m

220 with axial outlet z=0.00m
with axial outlet z=0.01m (b)
with tangential outlet z=0.00m
200
with tangential outlet z=0.01m
(c)
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
Axial distance(m) Rnp=1.5

Fig 4.3 Static temperature contour map of supersonic nozzle. (a) without reflow channel; (b) with axial
outlet in reflow channel; (c) with tangential outlet in reflow channel
 7
2.2x10 without reflow channel
7
2.0x10 with axial outlet in reflow channel
7

Centrifugal acceleration(m/s2)
1.8x10
7
1.6x10
7
1.4x10
7
1.2x10
7
1.0x10
6
8.0x10
6
6.0x10
6
4.0x10
6
2.0x10
0.0

T
6
-2.0x10
0.0 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.8 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.8

IP
Axial distance(m)

Fig. 4.4 Centrifugal acceleration contour map of device without reflow channel and with axial outlet in

R
reflow channel

SC
5
1.5x10
9
8.0x10
5
1.0x10
Centrifugal acceleration(m/s2)

4
9 5.0x10
6.0x10

4.0x10
9
0.0
0.8 0.9
U
1.0 1.1 1.2
N
8
1.5x10
8
1.0x10
9 7
A
2.0x10 5.0x10
0.0
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
M

0.0

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

  Axial distance(m)
D

Fig. 4.5 Centrifugal acceleration disturbance distribution at pressure ratio 1.5 with tangential outlet in
reflow channel
TE

0.60
EP

0.55 with axial outlet

with tangential outlet
without reflow channel
0.50 pressure in reflow channel
CC

0.45
P/Pin

0.40
A

0.35

0.30

0.25
-0.01 0.00 0.01 -0.01 0.00 0.01 -0.01 0.00 0.01
r (m)  
Fig 4.6 The pressure distribution of the device at throat (x=268 mm) under pressure ratio of 1.5 without
reflow channel, axial outlet and tangential outlet in reflow channel.
 Rnp=1.3 z=0.01m 1.2
1.6
Rnp=1.4 z=0.01m 1.0
1.4
Rnp=1.5 z=0.01m 0.8
1.2 0.76 0.6
0.3 0.4 0.5
1.0 1.2
Ma number

1.0
0.8 0.8 Ma numbe r
0.6
0.6 0.4
0.6 0.7 0.8 R n p =1 .3
0.72 Rnp=1.3 z=0.00m
0.4
Rnp=1.4 z=0.00m
0.2 Rnp=1.5 z=0.00m R n p =1.4
0.268 0.63 0.82
0.0

T
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 R n p =1.5
Axial distance(m)

IP
Fig 4.7 Ma number distribution at different pressure ratio with axial outlet in reflow channel

R
1.0 Rnp=1.3 z=0.01m 0.5

SC
Rnp=1.4 z=0.01m 0.4
0.9 Rnp=1.5 z=0.01m
0.3
0.8 Rnp=1.3 z=0.00m 0.3 0.4 0.5
Rnp=1.4 z=0.00m
0.7
Rnp=1.5 z=0.00m
0.76

U
P/Pin

0.6 Pr essure (Pa )

0.297
0.5
N
0.6 R n p =1 .3
0.4
0.4
A
0.3 R n p =1.4
0.268 0.63 0.72 0.2
0.6 0.7 0.8
0.2 0.82
M

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 R n p =1.5
Axial distance(m)  
Fig 4.8 Pressure distribution at different pressure ratio with axial outlet in reflow channel
D

310
Rnp=1.3 z=0.01m
TE

300
Rnp=1.4 z=0.01m Rnp=1.3 z=0.00m
290
Rnp=1.5 z=0.01m Rnp=1.4 z=0.00m
280
0.76 Rnp=1.5 z=0.00m
270 270
Temperature(K)

EP

260 255
250 T empe ra tur e(K)
240
240
0.3 0.4 0.5 R n p =1.3
230 270
CC

220
0.72 240
210 R n p=1.4
210
200 0.268 0.63 0.82
0.6 0.7 0.8
190 R n p=1.5
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
A

Axial distance(m)
Fig 4.9 Temperature distribution at different pressure ratio with axial outlet in reflow channel
 7
2.4x10
7 Rnp=1.3
2.1x10
Rnp=1.4

Centrifugal acceleration(m/s2)
7
1.8x10
Rnp=1.5
7
1.5x10
7
1.2x10
6
9.0x10
6
6.0x10
6
3.0x10
0.0

T
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5

IP
Axial distance(m)
Fig 4.10 Centrifugal acceleration distribution with axial outlet in reflow channel

R
2.0 Rnp=1.5 z=0.01m 1.4

SC
1.8 Rnp=1.7 z=0.01m 1.2

1.6 Rnp=2.0 z=0.01m 1.0

0.70
1.4 0.8
0.752
1.2

U
Ma number

0.634 0.7 0.788 0.8 Ma numbe r

1.4
1.0
1.2 0.292
0.8
N
1.0
R n p =1 .5
0.6 0.634
turbulent
0.4 Rnp=1.5 z=0.00m 0.8
0.268 0.3 0.4
A
0.2 Rnp=1.7 z=0.00m R n p=1 .7
Rnp=2.0 z=0.00m
0.0 0.951
0.865
M

-0.2 R n p=2 .0
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
Axial distance(m)  
Fig4.11 Ma number distribution with tangential outlet in reflow channel
D
TE

1.0 Rnp=1.5 z=0.01m 0.4

0.9 Rnp=1.7 z=0.01m

Rnp=2.0 z=0.01m 0.3
0.8
Rnp=1.5 z=0.00m
0.2
EP

0.7 Rnp=1.7 z=0.00m 0.3 0.4

0.6 Rnp=2.0 z=0.00m
Pr essure (Pa )
P/Pin

0.5 0.752

0.4 R n p=1 .5
CC

0.3 0.4
0.70 0.752

0.2 R n p =1 .7
0.2
0.1 0.634 0.951 0.6 0.8 0.865 1.0
A

0.0
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 R n p =2 .0
Axial distance(m)
Fig4.12 Pressure distribution with tangential outlet in reflow channel
 320
Rnp=1.5 z=0.01m Rnp=1.7 z=0.01m
300 Rnp=2.0 z=0.01m Rnp=1.5 z=0.00m
Rnp=1.7 z=0.00m 250
280 Rnp=2.0 z=0.00m 240
0.752
Temperature(K)

230
260
220
T empe ra tur e(K)
240 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40

280 R n p =1 .5
220
0.70
240
200
200 R n p=1 .7
180
0.634
0.951 0.6 0.8 0.865 1.0
160
R n p=2 .0

T
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
Axial distance(m)

IP
Fig4.13 Temperature distribution with tangential outlet in reflow channel

R
1.00E+010 Rnp=1.5

SC
Rnp=1.7
Centrifugal acceleration(m/s2)

Rnp=1.5
Rnp=2.0
8.00E+009

6.00E+009

4.00E+009
U
N
2.00E+009
A
Rnp=1.7 Rnp=2.0
0.00E+000
M

0.2 0.268 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

Axial diatance(m)  
Fig 4.14 Centrifugal acceleration distribution with tangential outlet in reflow channel
D
TE

(a) (a) (a)

Temperature(K)
EP
Pressure(Pa)

Ma

(b) (b) (b)

CC

(c) (c) (c)

A

Fig.4.15 Distribution of gas dynamic parameters at the drain cavity and diffuser inlet with axial outlet in
reflow channel. (a) Rnp=1.3; (b) Rnp=1.4; (c) Rnp=1.5
 (a) (a) (a)

Temperature(K)
Pressure(Pa)

Ma
(b)
(b) (b)

(c) (c) (c)

Fig 4.16 Distribution of gas dynamic parameters at the drain cavity and inlet of diffuser with tangential
outlet in reflow channel. (a) Rnp=1.5; (b) Rnp=1.7; (c) Rnp=2.0

T
R IP
SC
U
N
A
M
D
TE
EP
CC
A
 Table 2.1 The main structural parameters of supersonic gas separator
Parameter Value Unit
Nozzle inlet diameter D1 116 mm
Diffuser exit diameter D2 120 mm
Reflow channel diameter D3 19 mm
Swirling generator length L1 160 mm
Nozzle converging length L2 100 mm
Nozzle diverging length L3 500 mm
Diffuser length L4 800 mm

T
The area ratio of outlet and throat A2/A1 1.27~1.35 －

IP
 
 

R
 
 

SC
 

Table 3.1
Operating parameters U
Operating parameters of experimental nozzle
Unit Values
N
Environmental temperature ℃ 17.8
Environmental humidity 16.2
A
%
Absolute pressure of inlet MPa 0.46
M

Temperature of nozzle inlet ℃ 14.9

Relative humidity of nozzle inlet % 83
The flow rate of nozzle m3/h 33.8
D
TE

Table 3.2 Structural parameters of experimental nozzle

EP

Structural parameters Unit Values

Section area of inlet of nozzle Din mm 28
Section area of the throat Dth mm 7.14
CC

Section area of outlet of nozzle Dout mm 29

Length from inlet to throat L1 mm 50
Length from inlet to outlet   L2 mm 300 
A