For a cyclone, what is the correct particle size matter required for effective removal?

Cyclones are air pollution control devices designed to remove particulate matter from gas streams using centrifugal force. For effective removal of particles, the size plays a crucial role. Cyclones are particularly effective for larger particles due to the way they operate. When particles are greater than 10 micrometers, they can be effectively separated from the gas stream as they experience greater inertia and are more likely to be forced to the outer walls of the cyclone before ultimately falling into the collection hopper.

Particles smaller than 10 micrometers, particularly those that are less than 5 micrometers, tend to be too lightweight and may not have enough inertia to be effectively captured by the cyclone's centrifugal action. This limits their removal efficiency for smaller particles, making cyclones less suitable for fine particulate matter. Thus, for effective operation, cyclones are designed to target particles that are predominantly larger than 10 micrometers.