Why cyclone separators trap particles in a central column, not the outer wall

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styart
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Why is science explaining how cyclone separators work, is so wrong, at least those that work with water, the notion that particles are thrown to the outside and slow by friction until they fall is just wrong.
I have built several homemade separators from transparent plastic and have observed them in action, the particles go into a narrow column in the center of the separator and gradually fall.
If you don't believe me try this experiment, fill a tall glass with water, stir vigorously and drop in particles like sugar or similar, and watch what happens.
 

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I believe some bagless vacuum cleaners use a cyclone principle. Do they fit the description you decry?
 
Water/oil separators are common appliances, look for their principles of operation, usually the first section of the operators manual. My ships had two centrifugal and one gravity separator.