Investigation of cyclone separator performance and the effect of inlet velocity, impurity concentration, and geometrical parameters on biofuel purification

Abstract

As the global pursuit of sustainable and clean energy intensifies, biofuels have emerged as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. However, effective impurity removal during biofuel production remains a key technical hurdle, affecting both process efficiency and fuel quality. This study focuses on optimizing biofuel purification by evaluating the performance of cyclone separators using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Specifically, it investigates the impact of inflow velocity, impurity volume fraction, and critical geometric parameters-such as barrel length, cone length, and vortex finder diameter-on separation efficiency. By analyzing both individual and interactive effects of these parameters, the research provides detailed insights into optimizing cyclone design for enhanced impurity removal. The results demonstrate that specific configurations significantly improve separation performance, offering practical guidelines for designing efficient, application-specific cyclone separators in biofuel production. The findings also underscore the importance of customizing cyclone geometry and operational conditions to maximize impurity extraction. Ultimately, this study advances the understanding of cyclone-based separation systems in biofuel applications and supports the development of more efficient, environmentally friendly energy technologies. It contributes to cleaner production practices and strengthens the role of biofuels in the global shift toward renewable energy solutions.