In this work we study deposition of particles and droplets in non-rotating swirled turbulent pipe flow. We aim at verifying whether the capability of swirl to enhance particle separation from the core flow and the capability of turbulence to efficiently trap particles at the wall can co-exist to optimize collection efficiency in axial separators. We perform an Eulerian-Lagrangian study based on Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of turbulence, considering the effect of different swirl intensities on turbulence structures and on particle transfer at varying particle inertia. We show that, for suitably-chosen flow parameters, swirl may be superimposed to the base flow without disrupting near-wall turbulent structures and their regeneration mechanisms. We also quantify collection efficiency demonstrating for the first time that an optimal synergy between swirl and wall turbulence can be identified to promote separation of particles and droplets. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.