This paper presents the gas flow characteristics of a guide-vane-inlet cyclone separator with a novel vortex finder. The new design is based on the idea of increasing cyclone efficiency and reducing pressure drop by improving vortex finder structure. Instead of traditional vent pipe, the vortex finder is slotted on side wall. A model of cyclone with this novel vortex finder has been manufactured and tested. Total collection efficiency, grade collection efficiency and pressure drop were measured at various flow rates. Experimental results show that the novel vortex finder can increase particle collection efficiency and reduce pressure drop. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.