Experimental research and influencing factors analysis on sand removal from sand-containing xanthan gum solutions using a hydrocyclone

LU Yu; ZHANG Guanhua; WU Zhigen; LU Wei

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202602006

Volume 44 Issue 2

Feb. 2026

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2026 > 44(2): 50-56

LU Yu, ZHANG Guanhua, WU Zhigen, LU Wei. Experimental research and influencing factors analysis on sand removal from sand-containing xanthan gum solutions using a hydrocyclone[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(2): 50-56. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202602006

Citation:

LU Yu, ZHANG Guanhua, WU Zhigen, LU Wei. Experimental research and influencing factors analysis on sand removal from sand-containing xanthan gum solutions using a hydrocyclone[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(2): 50-56. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202602006

Citation:

LU Yu, ZHANG Guanhua, WU Zhigen, LU Wei. Experimental research and influencing factors analysis on sand removal from sand-containing xanthan gum solutions using a hydrocyclone[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(2): 50-56. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202602006

PDF( 852 KB)

Experimental research and influencing factors analysis on sand removal from sand-containing xanthan gum solutions using a hydrocyclone

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202602006

LU Yu¹,
ZHANG Guanhua¹,
WU Zhigen^{2
,
,},
LU Wei¹

1. School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China;
2. College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

Received Date: 2025-01-04
Available Online: 2026-04-11
Publish Date: 2026-02-01

Abstract

Abstract

To improve the sand removal efficiency of thermally hydrolyzed sludge， this study proposed the use of a hydrocyclone for centrifugal desanding. In the experiments， a sand-containing xanthan gum solution with similar non-Newtonian fluid properties was used as a substitute for the sludge to evaluate the sand removal efficiency. The effects of xanthan gum concentration （0.2% to 0.4%）， sand particle size （50 to 214 μm）， and feed flow rate （4 to 6 m³/h） on sand removal efficiency and hydraulic loss were investigated. When the feed flow rate was fixed at 4 m³/h， increasing the xanthan gum concentration from 0.2% to 0.4% resulted in a decrease in the overall separation efficiency from 67.5% to 45.8%. Simultaneously， the underflow split ratio increased linearly from 72% to 76%. This indicated a negative correlation between solution concentration and sand removal efficiency， meaning that higher xanthan gum concentrations led to less efficient sand separation. For the 0.2% xanthan gum solution， the removal efficiency for particles smaller than 94 μm was below 50%， significantly lower than that for particles larger than 150 μm， which exceeded 65%. This demonstrated a positive correlation between particle size and removal efficiency， showing that larger particles are more easily separated. As the feed flow rate increased from 4 m³/h to 6 m³/h， the sand removal efficiency gradually improved. Specifically， the efficiency for sand particles in the size ranges of 50 to 94 μm， 94 to 150 μm， and 150 to 214 μm increased to 70%， 80%， and 95%， respectively. This indicated that increasing the feed flow rate enhanced the sand separation performance of the hydrocyclone， likely because higher flow rates result in stronger centrifugal forces， which in turn facilitate more effective separation. Moreover， hydraulic losses at both the inlet and outlet increased linearly with the flow rate. However， the pressure loss in the xanthan gum solution was consistently lower than that in the sand-water mixture. Furthermore， as the xanthan gum concentration increased， the pressure loss further decreased， suggesting that higher concentrations reduce hydraulic resistance. This study has clarified the primary factors affecting the sand removal efficiency of a hydrocyclone for non-Newtonian fluids， providing valuable theoretical guidance for the pre-treatment of thermally hydrolyzed sludge in industrial applications. Future research could explore the flow separation phenomena of different structures and real thermally hydrolyzed sludge within the hydrocyclone， potentially leading to an optimized design for the hydrocyclone's structure and operational parameters.
- non-Newtonian fluid,
- hydrocyclone,
- centrifugal desanding,
- underflow split ratio,
- hydraulic loss

FullText(HTML)

References(29)

References

[1]	DAI X H. Current status and reflections on urban sludge treatment and disposal in China［J］. Water Supply and Drainage，2012，48（2）:1-5. 戴晓虎. 我国城镇污泥处理处置现状及思考［J］. 给水排水，2012，48（2）:1-5.
[2]	ZHAO S H，DUAN N N，TAN X J，et al. Economic analysis of the"anaerobic digestion + land utilization" technology pathway for urban sludge［J］. Environmental Engineering，2024，42（2）:1-9. 赵水钎，段妮娜，谭学军，等. 城镇污泥“厌氧消化+土地利用”技术路线经济性分析［J］. 环境工程，2024，42（2）:1-9.
[3]	DAI X H. Current status and development trends of sludge treatment and disposal in China［J］. Water Supply and Drainage，2020，72（6）:30-34. 戴晓虎. 我国污泥处理处置现状及发展趋势［J］. 给水排水，2020，72（6）:30-34.
[4]	XU Y，LU Y，ZHENG L，et al. Perspective on enhancing the anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge［J］. Journal of Hazardous Materials，2020，389:121847.
[5]	UTHIRAKRISHNAN U，SHARMILA V G，MERRYLIN J，et al. Current advances and future outlook on pretreatment techniques to enhance biosolids disintegration and anaerobic digestion:A critical review［J］. Chemosphere，2022，288:132553.
[6]	DAI X H，ZHAO Y X，SHA C，et al. Investigation on the characteristics and causes of sand content in sludge from wastewater treatment plants in China［J］. Water Supply and Drainage，2014（S1）:75-79. 戴晓虎，赵玉欣，沙超，等. 我国污水处理厂污泥含砂特征及成因调研［J］. 给水排水，2014（增刊1）:75-79.
[7]	URREA J L，COLLADO S，LACA A，et al. Rheological behaviour of activated sludge treated by thermal hydrolysis［J］. Journal of Water Process Engineering，2015（5）:153-159.
[8]	SUN Y B. A brief discussion on the working principle and influencing parameters of hydrocyclones［J］. Mining Bulletin，2003，29（1）:5-8. 孙玉波. 浅谈水力旋流器的工作原理和影响参数［J］. 矿业快报，2003，29（1）:5-8.
[9]	TIAN J，NI L，SONG T，et al. An overview of operating parameters and conditions in hydrocyclones for enhanced separations［J］. Separation and Purification Technology，2018，206:268-285.
[10]	ALVES D G，SILVA J T T DA，QUINTINO D B，et al. Desander mini-hydrocyclones applied to the separation of microspheres and sand in non-newtonian fluid:efficiencies and drag analysis［J］. Separation and Purification Technology，2020，234.
[11]	KHAROUA N，KHEZZAR L，NEMOUCHI Z. Hydrocyclones for de-oiling applications:a review［J］. Petroleum Science Technology，2010，28（7）:738-755.
[12]	DONG D Z，ZHANG J S，WU Z G，et al. Study on the factors affecting the critical shear stress of high-solid sludge［J］. Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University，2017，51（11）:57-62. 董登志，张静思，吴志根，等. 高含固污泥临界剪切应力影响因素的研究［J］. 西安交通大学学报，2017，51（11）:57-62.
[13]	WU C C，ZHANG J S，LI Z，et al. Numerical study on the flow and heat transfer of hot hydrolyzed sludge in a wave tube［J］. Environmental Engineering，2016，34（8）:135-140. 吴长春，张静思，李卓，等. 热水解污泥在波节管中流动传热的数值研究［J］. 环境工程，2016，34（8）:135-140.
[14]	CAO X Q，LIU T，JIANG K，et al. Effect of low-temperature hydrothermal pretreatment on the rheological properties of sludge［J］. Environmental Engineering，2019，37（12）:104-108. 曹秀芹，柳婷，江坤，等. 低温热水解处理对污泥流变特性的影响［J］. 环境工程，2019，37（12）:104-108.
[15]	NI L，TIAN J，SHEN C，et al. Experimental study of the separation performance of a novel sewage hydrocyclone used in sewage source heat pump［J］. Applied Thermal Engineering，2016，106:1300-1310.
[16]	LIU Y P，GONG J，LIU J. Study on the separation efficiency of hydrocyclones for cement sand separation from the Yellow River［J］. Irrigation and Drainage Machinery，2006（5）:33-35. 刘永平，龚俊，刘晶. 黄河水泥沙分离用水力旋流器分离效率的研究［J］. 排灌机械，2006（5）:33-35.
[17]	CAO X Q，WANG X，JIANG Z H，et al. Rheological characteristics of high-solid sludge in the hydrothermal-anaerobic digestion process［J］. Journal of Environmental Engineering，2017，11（4）:2493-2498. 曹秀芹，王鑫，蒋竹荷，等. 高含固污泥在热水解-厌氧消化工艺中的流变特性分析［J］. 环境工程学报，2017，11（4）:2493-2498.
[18]	DING J N，GONG H，WANG S Y，et al. Research progress on the application of hydrocyclone separators in water treatment［J］. Environmental Engineering，2021，39（8）:1-6. 丁健宁，宫徽，王顺煜，等. 水力旋流分离器在水处理领域的应用研究进展［J］. 环境工程，2021，39（8）:1-6.
[19]	DING L，JIANG H L. Study on the separation performance of a column-type hydrocyclone for silicon cutting slurry［J］. Environmental Engineering，2012，30（S2）:289-292. 丁蕾，蒋惠亮. 柱型水力旋流器对硅切割废砂浆分离性能的研究［J］. 环境工程，2012，30（增刊2）:289-292.
[20]	CAO X Q，WANG X，JIANG Z H，et al. Rheological characteristics of hydrolyzed sludge and its impact on pipeline friction calculation［J］. China Water& Wastewater，2017，33（15）:89-93. 曹秀芹，王鑫，蒋竹荷，等. 热水解污泥流变特性及其对管道摩阻计算的影响［J］. 中国给水排水，2017，33（15）:89-93.
[21]	PANG X S. Design calculation of hydrocyclones［J］. Nonferrous Metals（Mineral Processing），1991（1）:17-22. 庞学诗. 水力旋流器的设计计算［J］. 有色金属（选矿部分），1991（1）:17-22.
[22]	LU W，MIAO R，WU Z G，et al. Experimental study on flow and heat transfer of non-newtonian fluids in a wave tube heat exchanger［J］. Journal of Chemical Engineering，2022，73（7）:2924-2932. 陆威，苗冉，吴志根，等. 非牛顿流体在波节套管换热器中流动与换热的实验研究［J］. 化工学报，2022，73（7）:2924-2932.
[23]	ZHANG D，ZHENG L，XIE G，et al. An experimental study on heat transfer enhancement of non-newtonian fluid in a rectangular channel with dimples/protrusions［J］. Journal of Electronic Packaging，2014，136（2）:021005.
[24]	LEI M，LU X L，CHEN Z G，et al. Study on the rheological characteristics and influencing factors of xanthan gum at low concentrations［J］. Food Science，2000，21（12）:16-18. 雷鸣，卢晓黎，陈正纲，等. 黄原胶在低浓度时的流变特性及影响因素研究［J］. 食品科学，2000，21（12）:16-18.
[25]	TANG Z S，SU H J，XU S A. Experimental study on the rheological properties of xanthan gum［J］. Journal of Yantai University（Natural Science and Engineering Edition），2008（2）:130-133. 唐中山，苏红军，徐世艾. 黄原胶流变学性质的实验研究［J］. 烟台大学学报（自然科学与工程版），2008（2）:130-133.
[26]	DHIAA A H. The temperature effect of the viscosity and density of xanthan gum solution［J］. Kufa Journal of Engineering，2012，3（2）:17-30.
[27]	NAGESWARARAO K. A critical analysis of the fish hook effect in hydrocyclone classifiers［J］. Chemical Engineering Journal，2000，80（1）:251-256.
[28]	SHI Y L，PU C X. Evaluation of the operational performance of aerated grit chambers［J］. Water Supply& Drainage，2015，51（S1）:134-138. 石艳玲，濮晨熹. 曝气沉砂池的运行效果评估［J］. 给水排水，2015，51（增刊1）:134-138.
[29]	YANG X. Numerical simulation of non-newtonian fluid flow characteristics in hydrocyclones［D］. Qingdao:China University of Petroleum，2010. 杨玄. 非牛顿流体在旋流器中流动特性的数值模拟［D］. 青岛:中国石油大学，2010.