Design of Inlet-Port of the Cyclone-Type Oil Separator Using CFD

Numerical analysis was performed in order to design the shape of the oil separator for the cyclone-type used in the refrigeration system, which can raise the separation efficiency, and which can reduce the pressure drop. Based on the result of the existing research, the total length of the oil separator, the length of the outlet-port, and the pitch, the turn-number of the spiral structure inside the cylinder was determined. This research was performed to compare and to analyze the separation efficiency and pressure drop of the oil separator while the location of the inlet-port was changed. According to three locations in the entrance, the separation efficiency was predicted from 95.0% to 100%, and the pressure drop ranged from 2.33 to 19.8 kPa. In conclusion, the shape, which was made eccentric to the edge, had the separation efficiency of 100% and the pressure drop of 2.33 kPa, which could get the most excellent performance.