Structure design and preliminary experimental investigation on oil-water separation performance of a novel helix separator

Abstract

Based on the theory of oil-water centrifugal separation, a novel oil-water helix separator for generating helix separation flow field by helical guide vanes is designed. The test prototypes with different helical circles of helical guide vane were designed and manufactured using 3D printing technology. Oil-water separation feasibility experiments were carried out and the results show that the helix separator has good adaptability to the operating parameters. The number of helical cycles is increased by 3 and the efficiency can be increased by 10%, which indicates that the helix separator has a good potential for highly oil-water efficient separation.