Characteristics of turbulent flow distribution in branch piping system
来源期刊：中南大学学报(英文版)2012年第11期
论文作者：YOO Geun-jong CHOI Hoon-ki KIM Chul-hwan
文章页码：3208 - 3214
Key words：flow distribution; pipe flow; branch pipe; turbulent flow
Abstract: Flow distribution in branch piping system is affected by flow characteristics and different geometric variations. Most of the flow distribution studies are performed with one-dimensional analysis to yield overall information only. However, detailed analysis is required to find effects of design parameters on the flow distribution. For this aspect, three-dimensional turbulent flow analysis was performed to assess turbulence model performance and effects of upstream pressure and branch pipe geometry. Three different turbulence models of standard k-ε model, realizable k-ε model and standard k-ω yield similar results, indicating small effects of turbulence models on flow characteristics analysis. Geometric variations include area ratio of main and branch pipes, branch pipe diameter, and connection shape of main and branch pipes. Among these parameters, area ratio and branch diameter and shape show strong effect on flow distribution due to high friction and minor loss. Uniform flow distribution is one of common requirements in the branch piping system and this can be achieved with rather high total loss design.
YOO Geun-jong, CHOI Hoon-ki, KIM Chul-hwan
(School of Mechatronics, Changwon National University, Changwon 641-773, Korea)
Abstract:Flow distribution in branch piping system is affected by flow characteristics and different geometric variations. Most of the flow distribution studies are performed with one-dimensional analysis to yield overall information only. However, detailed analysis is required to find effects of design parameters on the flow distribution. For this aspect, three-dimensional turbulent flow analysis was performed to assess turbulence model performance and effects of upstream pressure and branch pipe geometry. Three different turbulence models of standard k-ε model, realizable k-ε model and standard k-ω yield similar results, indicating small effects of turbulence models on flow characteristics analysis. Geometric variations include area ratio of main and branch pipes, branch pipe diameter, and connection shape of main and branch pipes. Among these parameters, area ratio and branch diameter and shape show strong effect on flow distribution due to high friction and minor loss. Uniform flow distribution is one of common requirements in the branch piping system and this can be achieved with rather high total loss design.
Key words:flow distribution; pipe flow; branch pipe; turbulent flow
