## 2 Model and Experimental Research
### Dust Settler Segment Experimental Tests of Air Filter Multicyclone
#### 2.4.2 Flow Research Methodology  
Tests were carried out in a laboratory, reproducing the work of inertial filters in the real conditions of a vehicle user. \(Q_{Sc}\) values of suction streams from the individual cyclones of the dust settling tank segment were measured, in which the internal structure of the settling tank was changed by dividing it into suction channels. On this basis, an assessment was made for the improvement of suction uniformity, which was caused by the division of the multi-cyclone dust settling chamber into segments and the division of the settling  
Figure 16: Dust settler schematic diagram: (**a**) MT multi-cyclone, (**b**) MT multi-cyclone segment, (**c**) segment prepared for flow tests, 1—sedimentation tank, 2—horizontal partitions, 3—suction port.  
chamber into suction channels. Research course and subsequent design changes of the dust collector are presented, marking them successively A, B, C, and D for the MT multi-cyclone segment, until a satisfactory suction uniformity is obtained.  
The flow tests of the MT multi-cyclone dust settler segment were carried out in two stages at the stand, the diagram of which is shown in Figure 17. Tests were carried out according to the methodology used to measure the suction stream values from the single cyclones of a complete multi-cyclone. During the tests of the MT multi-cyclone segment, suction stream values from the left (L) and right (R) cyclones of the segment, as well as from the first (I) and last (VII) cyclone rows, were measured (Figure 17).  
From the segment dust collector, the \(Q_{\mathrm{S}s}\) suction stream, being the sum of \(Q_{Sc}\) suction streams from the individual cyclones.  
\[Q_{Ss}=\sum_{i=1}^{I}Q_{Sc}, \tag{17}\]  
where: I, II, II,... \(j\)... \(J\)--consecutive cyclone number in the column.  
The main suction stream \(Q_{Ss}\) from the settling tank of the multi-cyclone segment was determined from:  
\[Q_{Ss}=\frac{Q_{S}}{m_{s}}, \tag{18}\]  
where: \(m_{s}\)--number of segments into which the multi-cyclone dust collector has been divided, \(Q_{S}\)--suction stream from the multi-cyclone settler, determined for the rotational speed \(n_{N}\) of the engine and the extraction rate \(m_{0}\) = 4, 8, \(i\) 16%.  
In the first stage, the values of the \(Q_{Sc}\) suction streams from the individual cyclones of the selected rows and columns of the segment with a dust trap in the original version were determined. In the second stage, the values of the \(Q_{Sc}\) suction streams were measured from the same individual cyclones of the segment in which the internal structure of the dust settling chamber was changed. The settling chamber was then divided into suction channels with heights \(h_{1},h_{2},h_{3}\ldots\)\(h_{i}\) resulting from the model calculations and with the appropriate, and previously established, assignment of the cyclones. At this stage, several variations for dividing the segment's settling chamber into suction channels were investigated.  
The initial variant (variant A) of the MT multi-cyclone segment is a dust collector, the chamber of which is divided into three suction channels with heights at the outlet: \(h_{1}\) = 12 mm, \(h_{2}\) = 19 mm, and \(h_{3}\) = 26 mm.  
Figure 17: Stand diagram for measuring the \(Q_{Sc}\) sucked off streams from single cyclones of the MT multi-cyclone segment: 1—segment of the dust settler, 2—measuring system for the suction stream, 3—closing plug, 4—rotameter, 5—suction fan.