Open AccessThe problem of the efficiency of cyclones, devices for separating heavy particles from their carrying fluid, is examined. A review of experimental and theoretical papers is conducted introducing three dimensional differential equations for transfer processes and the Reynolds stress model of turbulence. The paper describes the numerical modelling of the swirling fluid flow in the conical reverse-flow cyclone the height of which is 0.50 m and diameter – 0.20 m. The governing fluid flow equations are solved using the finite volume method in a body-fitted coordinate system. A reasonable agreement between the presented results of numerical calculations (inlet velocity - 4.64 m/s and fluid flow rate - 0.28 m3/s) and experimental and numerical data obtained by other authors is found (mean relative error did not exceed ± 5%).