In the example used thus far, air is the standard reference material. Centripetal force is the net force required to keep an object of mass m moving at a speed v on a circular path of radius r. The force of the air, moving within the cone creates a pressure loss, which is not unlike negative pressure head we have studied in pumps and fluids. A drop in pressure at an elevated point on a system induces a pull on the system. As the cone tapers near the bottom, the force is reduced and air pressure increases.
Force is reduced due to the decreasing velocity of air particles.
Inlet velocity is a key variable in operation of a cyclone separator. Inlet velocity should be low to minimize back pressure loss, and high for effective separation. This is an important balance to strike and depends upon the material in the system and the intended process. Cyclone separators are used for many things. In cotton industry and in most grain processing operations, separators are used to remove the impurities from seed or grain.