4. Inertial and sedimentation separators

• Inertial separators

  These separators consist of baffles. Because of their inertia, the largest particles will strike the baffle and settle there. The diameter for which these separators are effective is 20 to 30 µm, for simple vertical baffle designs. The cost of this equipment is low, but its efficiency is too limited given the large volume occupied by these units.

Improvements were proposed in the 1970s and 1980s, enabling the gas to make several changes of direction. Efficiencies have increased, as have pressure drops, which can reach 1,000 Pa, for cut-off powers of the order of 4 µm. The main fundamental limitation is the re-entrainment of particles that have already touched a wall.

These separators are rarely used for dedusting, as their performance/energy ratio is unfavorable...