ISSN: 1304-7191 | E-ISSN: 1304-7205
Numerical Modelling of Sudden Contraction in Pipe Flow
1Manisa Celal Bayar University, Department of Civil Engineering, MANISA
Sigma J Eng Nat Sci 2019; 37(3): 903-916
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Abstract

In the present work, full-scale numerical simulations of incompressible fluid flow through different locations of sudden contractions are studied according to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique. Finite Elements Method is used to numerically solve governing equations via the commercial program ABAQUS including CFD code. Four different locations of contraction zone are utilized to determine the effect of location changes on sudden contraction head loss coefficients (KC). Twelve area ratios () are performed for all zones. Three different Reynolds numbers, remain in laminar flow boundaries, are adopted to determine effects of Reynolds number, as well as location effects. The graphs are constituted by results from computing 48 models for each Reynolds number and the study is concluded with 144 models in the end. In this manner, contraction ratio varying coefficients are obtained for four configurations. According to results, the pressure drop values of the same model for varying contraction locations are different. Maximum values of pressure drops are obtained for the second geometry (G2). Combination of maximum pressure drops and minimum velocity values leads to maximum contraction coefficients for G2. While the area coefficients increase, decreasing values of contraction coefficients of different contraction locations (G) converge in connection with the changing values of velocities and pressure drops. It is necessary to entrain to this remark, for increasing area coefficients. It is stated that KC- curves vary due to location change. It is recommended to consider the location varying coefficients while modelling different located contracting flows especially for side contracting flows.