Abstract
Contamination of the heat carrier is the primary cause of premature wear and reduced performance of the circulation pump. Abrasive particles, scale, and sludge lead to the abrasion of ceramic bearings, rotor blockage, and cavitation. Clogging of suction filters results in a sharp pressure drop, which induces vapor formation and subsequent destruction of pump blades. Therefore, implementing advanced filtration methods helps stabilize the hydraulic regime and extend equipment service life. The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of applying the hydrocycloning effect to remove impurities and sludge both upstream and downstream of the circulation pump, as a replacement for the conventional mesh strainer (mud trap), by employing a combined pressure-vacuum operating mode. Methodologically, the main parameters of the developed hydrocyclone device were determined by testing its modular prototype on a specially constructed experimental stand. The functional characteristics of two-phase fluid flow inside the hydrocyclone were established through computer simulation using the SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation module. The study revealed the flow velocity profiles under both pressure and vacuum operating modes of the hydrocyclone. The inlet velocity values ranged between 2.8-4.2 m/s, and subsequently increased to 4.9 m/s in the cylindrical-conical section due to water circulation. Sediments entering the hydrocyclone with an initial particle size of 0.1-0.5 mm were fully captured, while only particles smaller than 0.1 mm passed through the drain pipe. The possibility of removing captured impurities from the outlet section in vacuum mode, aided by an ejector, enhances the apparatus's water purification capacity