Numerical simulations to evaluate basic geometrical shapes as headers for equal liquid flow distribution

Abstract

The study presents computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for evaluation of basic geometrical shapes as headers for equal liquid flow distribution. The headers that have been evaluated are conical header, cylindrical header, pyramidal header, rectangular header and spherical header. The computational approach used in the study has been validated by comparing predictions of numerical simulations with experimental results for a cylindrical header. The effects of volume of header, flow rate, diameter of outlets and pressure imbalance at outlets on flow distribution have been studied. At low flow rates, there is no significant difference in the performance of the headers of different geometrical shapes. At higher flow rates, spherical header is found to be better. The possibility of ensuring equal flow distribution by having outlets of varying cross‐sectional area is discussed. The results reported in the study provide useful insights relevant for header design problems. © 2014 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Experimental measurement of flow distribution in a parallel mini‐channel fluidic network using PIV technique

“…They are widely used in process engineering and energy conversion systems, such as heat exchangers, chemical reactors, catalytic monoliths or fuel cells . The fluid flow distribution among the parallel channels may play an important role on the achievement or improvement of their global performance . Therefore, the precise measurement of mass (volume) flow‐rate in each individual channel and then the flow distribution properties among parallel channels are essential steps for the diagnostic and improvement of flow distribution quality.…”