Numerical analysis of air dehumidification through electrospray-enhanced vortical flow cyclone separator

Yel Mahi, Maliha; Cremaschi, Lorenzo

doi:10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2025.109253

Numerical analysis of air dehumidification through electrospray-enhanced vortical flow cyclone separator

Journal Article · Thu Jul 03 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2025.109253· OSTI ID:2571031

Yel Mahi, Maliha ^[1]; Cremaschi, Lorenzo ^[1]

Auburn Univ., AL (United States)

The dehumidification of air is a highly energy-intensive process, typically requiring vapor compression systems to cool the air significantly below its dew point temperature. Here, this study numerically investigates air dehumidification achieved by electrostatic and dielectrophoresis forces in a converging duct and centrifugal principles in cyclone separators. An electrospray was employed to energize water droplets, which then captured water vapor via dielectrophoresis. A novelty of the present study is the inclusion of a cyclone separator positioned downstream of the electrospray. This combination increased the dehumidification efficiency and controlled the flow of the condensate. By integrating electrospray technology and applying an electric field, this study examines the impact of particle separation efficiency, pressure drops, and cyclone performance on air dehumidification. The control parameters for air dehumidification were investigated. Three cyclones were modelled for airflow rates of 5 cubic feet per minute [cfm] (0.0024 m³/s), 38 cfm (0.0179 m³/s), and 200 cfm (0.094 m³/s). The results indicated air dehumidification was up to 5.7 % under environmental conditions, similar to those used to validate the CFD model. The degree of air dehumidification was primarily influenced by the electric charge acquired by the water droplets, their flight trajectory, and the vorticity intensity within the cyclone. Air dehumidification could increase by up to 13 % by increasing the number of droplets injected into the air stream, the flight time, and the electrical charge. The breakdown electric field strength threshold near the electrospray was a limiting factor for further enhancing dehumidification performance. This study examines the optimization of an electro-assisted dehumidification system that includes cyclone-based droplet separation through numerical analysis. The results provide insights into the design of energy-efficient air treatment technologies.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Auburn Univ., AL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0009161

OSTI ID:: 2571031

Journal Information:: International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, Journal Name: International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer Vol. 167; ISSN 0735-1933

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

References (42)

Effects of Geometrical Parameters on the Pressure Drop for a Modified Cyclone Separator Tan, Fuat; Karagoz, Irfan; Avci, Atakan Chemical Engineering & Technology, Vol. 39, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.201500182	journal	February 2016
Flow Pattern and Pressure Drop for Small Long‐Cylinder Cyclones Operating at High Flow Rates Wang, Dongshen; Zhao, Bingtao; Su, Yaxin Chemical Engineering & Technology, Vol. 42, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.201800511	journal	July 2019
Electrostatically enhanced cyclone separators Dietz, P. W. Powder Technology, Vol. 31, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-5910(82)89008-6	journal	March 1982
Experimental Study on Small Cyclones Operating at high Flowrates Zhu, Yifang; Lee, K. W. Journal of Aerosol Science, Vol. 30, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-8502(99)00024-5	journal	December 1999
Evaluation of numerical schemes using different simulation methods for the continuous phase modeling of cyclone separators Shukla, Sujeet Kumar; Shukla, Prashant; Ghosh, Pradyumna Advanced Powder Technology, Vol. 22, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2010.11.009	journal	March 2011
Numerical study of flow field in new cyclone separators Safikhani, Hamed; Mehrabian, Pegah Advanced Powder Technology, Vol. 27, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2016.01.011	journal	March 2016
Numerical study of flow field in new design cyclone separators with one, two and three tangential inlets Safikhani, Hamed; Zamani, Javid; Musa, Mohammadreza Advanced Powder Technology, Vol. 29, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2017.12.002	journal	March 2018
Effect of the inlet angle on the performance of a cyclone separator using CFD-DEM Wang, Shuyan; Li, Haolong; Wang, Ruichen Advanced Powder Technology, Vol. 30, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2018.10.027	journal	February 2019
CFD simulation of a novel design of square cyclone with dual-inverse cone Fatahian, Hossein; Hosseini, Ebrahim; Fatahian, Esmaeel Advanced Powder Technology, Vol. 31, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2020.02.007	journal	April 2020
Development of a new method for evaluating cyclone efficiency Zhao, Bingtao Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, Vol. 44, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2004.06.007	journal	April 2005
CFD–DEM simulation of the gas–solid flow in a cyclone separator Chu, K. W.; Wang, B.; Xu, D. L. Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 66, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2010.11.026	journal	March 2011
An experimental investigation on gas flow field dynamic characteristics in a reverse cyclone Sun, Liqiang; Song, Jianfei; Wang, Di Chemical Engineering Research and Design, Vol. 160 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2020.05.010	journal	August 2020
The effect of cyclone vortex finder dimensions on the flow pattern and performance using LES Elsayed, Khairy; Lacor, Chris Computers & Fluids, Vol. 71 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compfluid.2012.09.027	journal	January 2013
Evaluation of the turbulence models for gas flow and particle transport in URANS and LES of a cyclone separator Jang, Kwonwoo; Lee, Gwang Goo; Huh, Kang Y. Computers & Fluids, Vol. 172 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compfluid.2018.04.032	journal	August 2018
Experiments and modeling on thermal performance evaluation of standalone and M-cycle based desiccant air-conditioning systems Bhat, Showkat Ahmad; Sajjad, Uzair; Hussain, Imtiyaz Energy Reports, Vol. 11 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.01.019	journal	June 2024
An experimental study of relative humidity and air flow effects on positive and negative corona discharges in a corona-needle charger Yawootti, Artit; Intra, Panich; Tippayawong, Nakorn Journal of Electrostatics, Vol. 77 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elstat.2015.07.011	journal	October 2015
A multiphase flow model of water droplets dielectrophoretic-induced air dehumidification phenomena Yel Mahi, Maliha; Cremaschi, Lorenzo International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 159 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2024.108173	journal	December 2024
Comparative performances of conventional cyclones and a double cyclone with and without an electric field Lim, K. S.; Kim, H. S.; Lee, K. W. Journal of Aerosol Science, Vol. 35, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2003.07.001	journal	January 2004
Numerical investigation on dynamic characteristics of flow field in cyclone separators with different dust hopper structures Zhu, Liyun; Wang, Sen; Ru, Yi Particuology, Vol. 82 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2023.01.016	journal	November 2023
Optimization of the cyclone separator geometry for minimum pressure drop using Co-Kriging Elsayed, Khairy Powder Technology, Vol. 269 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2014.09.038	journal	January 2015
CFD simulation of cyclone separators to reduce air pollution Ganegama Bogodage, Sakura; Leung, Andrew Y. T. Powder Technology, Vol. 286 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2015.08.023	journal	December 2015
The effect of cross-shaped vortex finder on the performance of cyclone separator Pei, Binbin; Yang, Liu; Dong, Kejun Powder Technology, Vol. 313 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2017.02.066	journal	May 2017
Effects of deswirler position and its centre body shape as well as vortex finder extension downstream on cyclone performance Misiulia, Dzmitry; Antonyuk, Sergiy; Andersson, Anders Gustav Powder Technology, Vol. 336 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2018.05.034	journal	August 2018
Numerical study on the effect of the supersaturated vapor on the performance of a gas cyclone Jin, Ruizhi; Keshavarzian, Erfan; Dong, Kejun Powder Technology, Vol. 366 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2019.09.096	journal	April 2020
High-efficiency industrial cyclone separator: A CFD study Misiulia, Dzmitry; Antonyuk, Sergiy; Andersson, Anders Gustav Powder Technology, Vol. 364 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2019.10.064	journal	March 2020
Experimental and computational analysis of a cyclone separator with a novel vortex finder Qiang, Li; Qinggong, Wang; Weiwei, Xu Powder Technology, Vol. 360 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2019.10.073	journal	January 2020
Numerical study of mean mechanical energy loss in a gas cyclone Dong, Sijie; Zhang, Yuxin; Zhang, Zihui Powder Technology, Vol. 406 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2022.117584	journal	July 2022
Large Eddy Simulation of the gas–particle flow in cyclone separators de Souza, Francisco José; de Vasconcelos Salvo, Ricardo; de Moro Martins, Diego Alves Separation and Purification Technology, Vol. 94 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2012.04.006	journal	June 2012
Geometry optimization of a deswirler for cyclone separator in terms of pressure drop using CFD and artificial neural network Misiulia, Dzmitry; Elsayed, Khairy; Andersson, Anders Gustav Separation and Purification Technology, Vol. 185 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2017.05.025	journal	September 2017
Effect of the inlet duct angle on the performance of cyclone separators Wasilewski, Marek; Brar, Lakhbir Singh Separation and Purification Technology, Vol. 213 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2018.12.023	journal	April 2019
An overview of novel geometrical modifications and optimizations of gas-particle cyclone separators Guo, Ming; Yang, Liu; Son, Hyungjoon Separation and Purification Technology, Vol. 329 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2023.125136	journal	January 2024
CO2 capture using steam ejector condenser under electro hydrodynamic actuator with non-condensable gas and cyclone separator: A numerical study Amiri, Milad; Mikielewicz, Jaroslaw; Mikielewicz, Dariusz Separation and Purification Technology, Vol. 329 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2023.125236	journal	January 2024
Comparison of experimental, empirical, and CFD pressure losses of lab-scale sampling cyclones Dimitrijević, Dragana; Schmid, Melvin; Harasek, Michael Separation and Purification Technology, Vol. 354 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2024.128992	journal	February 2025
Modified Kelvin–Thomson equation considering ion-dipole interaction: Comparison with observed ion-clustering enthalpies and entropies Yu, Fangqun The Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 122, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1845395	journal	February 2005
Statistical theory for compressible turbulent shear flows, with the application to subgrid modeling Yoshizawa, Akira Physics of Fluids, Vol. 29, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1063/1.865552	journal	January 1986
Separation of fine particles with electrostatically enhanced cyclone Jeon, Hyoil; Park, Seungkyung Separation Science and Technology, Vol. 55, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2019.1567553	journal	January 2019
Modelling of the Pressure Drop in Tangential Inlet Cyclone Separators Karagoz, Irfan; Avci, Atakan Aerosol Science and Technology, Vol. 39, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1080/02786820500295560	journal	September 2005
Gas-Particle Cyclonic Separation Dynamics: Modeling and Characterization Zhao, Bingtao; Wang, Dongshen; Su, Yaxin Separation & Purification Reviews, Vol. 49, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1080/15422119.2018.1528278	journal	October 2018
A CFD Study on the Prediction of Cyclone Collection Efficiency Gimbun, Jolius; Chuah, T. G.; Choong, Thomas S. Y. International Journal for Computational Methods in Engineering Science and Mechanics, Vol. 6, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1080/15502280590923649	journal	July 2005
Enhanced Collection Efficiency for Cyclone by Applying an External Electric Field Chen, Chi-Jen Separation Science and Technology, Vol. 36, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1081/SS-100102941	journal	February 2001
Modified peek formula for calculating positive DC Corona inception electric field under variable humidity Xu, Mingming; Tan, Zhenyu; Li, Kejun IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, Vol. 19, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1109/TDEI.2012.6260014	journal	August 2012
Electrically Enhanced Condensation I: Effects of Corona Discharge Reznikov, Michael IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol. 51, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2014.2354734	journal	March 2015

Similar Records

Separating Sensible and Latent Cooling with Electrically Charged Rotating Vortexes and Vapor Capturing Air Handler Technology

Technical Report · Wed Apr 30 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · OSTI ID:2560449

Analysis of New Data of Electro-static Assisted Air Dehumidification Processes

Conference · Sun May 23 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · OSTI ID:2560438

Analysis of Electro-static Assisted Air Dehumidification

Conference · Mon May 24 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · OSTI ID:1868084

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
charged droplets
cyclone separator
dehumidification
dielectrophoresis
electric field
thermal vapor condensation

Numerical analysis of air dehumidification through electrospray-enhanced vortical flow cyclone separator

Citation Formats

References (42)

Similar Records

Related Subjects