Particle laden air enters through the inlet. The high turbulence breaks the heavier and lighter materials apart. The spinning air throws the heavier materials outward to the cyclone walls.

Airflow on the cyclone walls is slowed by friction. Heavier particles get trapped in the slower moving air and gravity slowly pulls these heavier particles down. These heavier particles continue to slide downward and eventually exit out through an air lock.

Near the bottom of the cone is a reversal point where the spinning air without the heavier particles reverses direction. That cleaned air then spirals up through the center of the cyclone then exits through the cyclone outlet.