Cyclone Separator

Meaningful discussion outside of the potato gun realm. Projects, theories, current events. Non-productive discussion will be locked.
User avatar
potatoflinger
Sergeant 2
Sergeant 2
Posts: 1136
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:26 pm
Location: Maryland

Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:48 pm

I am thinking about building a cyclone separator to be used with a leaf blower/vac for leaf collection in the fall. I would really like to be able to have the separator and a collection bin both mounted to my trailer so that I don't have to keep emptying the small canvas bag that is currently on the vacuum. Here is a link to the concept. Before I invest the time into building the separator, I have a few concerns that you all might be able to help me address:

1. Most cyclone separators have a vacuum "pulling" debris through them, but this will be connected on the output side of my blower/vac, so I will be "pushing" debris through. Do you think this will matter?

2. Would it be beneficial to have two separators mounted "in series" in order to ensure complete separation of the leaves from the stream of air, or would this cause the air to slow down and limit performance instead?

3. Would the collection bin have to be round, or could it be rectangular? I'm not sure if this would affect airflow, but all of the commercial dust separators I have seen have had round bins. A rectangular bin would work better on the trailer though.

I have done quite a bit of research on the topic, but can't find the answer to these three questions. It doesn't seem like anyone has tried to use a cyclone separator quite like this before. If nobody knows for sure of a reason why it won't work, I will probably give it a shot and then report my findings :D
It's hard to soar with eagles when you're working with turkeys.
User avatar
Gippeto
First Sergeant 3
First Sergeant 3
Venezuela
Posts: 2503
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:14 am
Location: Soon to be socialist shit hole.
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 17 times

Donating Members

Wed Mar 05, 2014 10:57 pm

Have a cyclone separator mounted on the outlet of my bead blaster airflow supplied by larger shop vac...you MUST pull through...cannot blow through.

Having two in series is not needed...mount it to a bigger collection drum/container. The one I use removes all but the very finest dust from the air moving through it...cleaned out the table saw (way overdue BTW)...no saw dust found its way into the shop vac, and the sawdust was packed TIGHT into the collection pail. VERY impressed.

Collection bin can be any shape...round does seem to be preferred. More important that the cyclone separator is sealed air tight to the lid of the container...lid must seal to the container too. Poor seals WILL result in poor collection.

This is what I have;

http://www.busybeetools.com/products/TH ... NEIDA.html
"It could be that the purpose of your life is to serve as a warning to others" – unknown

Liberalism is a mental disorder, reality is it's cure.
User avatar
potatoflinger
Sergeant 2
Sergeant 2
Posts: 1136
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:26 pm
Location: Maryland

Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:59 am

Thanks Gippeto!

If it must be pulled through, then it will probably not work for my application. My hope was that I could push material through because my blower will shred material as it is being sucked up. Without the blower pushing material through the cyclone, nothing will be shredded.

I guess the next option is to either build a separator with a separate vacuum pulling material through it, or I could just make a box with a filter in it that would allow air to escape but not leaves.
It's hard to soar with eagles when you're working with turkeys.
User avatar
Technician1002
Captain
Captain
Posts: 5189
Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:10 am

Thu Mar 06, 2014 9:45 am

There are push through designs. Our industrial dust vac system uses an open top design with an inflated canvas chef hat. When cycled off, the hat collapses and self empties down the middle into the collection bin. Ours does use a collection drum instead of a bag.

Here is a blow through design.
Image
User avatar
Heimo
Specialist 2
Specialist 2
South Africa
Posts: 243
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 3:02 pm

Thu Mar 06, 2014 8:00 pm

here is a video of someone who have already built one
[youtube][/youtube]
The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!
User avatar
potatoflinger
Sergeant 2
Sergeant 2
Posts: 1136
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:26 pm
Location: Maryland

Thu Mar 06, 2014 10:18 pm

Heimo wrote:here is a video of someone who have already built one
That looks rather promising. I might have to do some testing with this type of setup. Thanks!

Edit: After looking through the web site where the project was posted, I found out that the blower was indeed downstream from the cyclone. Must be too good to be true...
It's hard to soar with eagles when you're working with turkeys.
quinn whitsitt
Specialist 2
Specialist 2
United States of America
Posts: 234
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2024 1:58 pm
Location: central city arkansas
Has thanked: 55 times
Been thanked: 7 times
Contact:

Tue Feb 20, 2024 11:06 am

great job and have a great day
Post Reply