CFD Analysis of Incompressible Turbulent Swirling Flow through Circle Grids Space Filling Plate

Authors: B. Manshoor, M. Jaat, Amir Khalid

Abstract:

Circle grid space filling plate is a flow conditioner with a fractal pattern and used to eliminate turbulence originating from pipe fittings in experimental fluid flow applications. In this paper, steady state, incompressible, swirling turbulent flow through circle grid space filling plate has been studied. The solution and the analysis were carried out using finite volume CFD solver FLUENT 6.2. Three turbulence models were used in the numerical investigation and their results were compared with the pressure drop correlation of BS EN ISO 5167-2:2003. The turbulence models investigated here are the standard k-ε, realizable k-ε, and the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM). The results showed that the RSM model gave the best agreement with the ISO pressure drop correlation. The effects of circle grids space filling plate thickness and Reynolds number on the flow characteristics have been investigated as well.

Keywords: Flow conditioning, turbulent flow, turbulent modeling, CFD.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1056244

References:

[1] Aichouni, M., Laws, E. M., and Ouazzane, A. K., ÔÇÿExperimental study of the effects of upstream flow condition upon venturi flow meter performance-., In Flow Modelling and Turbulence Measurements VI, pp. 209-216, (1996)
[2] Aichouni, M., Mous, M., Benchicou, S., Mouaici, M., Belghit, M., and Mechmeche, M., ÔÇÿHow flowmeter condition affects measurements accuracy-, Proceeding of the 7th International Symposium on Flow Modelling and Turbulence Measurements, Tainan, Taiwan, October 5 - 7. (1994)
[3] Yeh, T. T., and Mattingly, G. E., ÔÇÿFlow meter installation effects due to a generic header-, NIST Technical note 1419. (1996)
[4] ISO 5167:2003, ÔÇÿMeasurement of fluid flow by means of pressure differential devices inserted in circular cross-section conduits running full.- (2003)
[5] Quazzane AK, Benhadj R (2002). Flow Conditioners Design and Their Effects in Reducing Flow Metering Errors. Sensor Review 22(3):223- 231
[6] Baker RC (2000). Flow Measurement Handbook: Industrial Designs, Operating Principles, Performance and Applications, Cambridge University Press, 27-30.
[7] Manshoor B., Nicolleau, F. C. G. A., and Beck, S. B. M., ÔÇÿThe fractal flow conditioner for orifice plate flow meters-, Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, 2011. 22(3): p. 208-214. (2011)
[8] Fluent Inc. (2005). FLUENT 6.2 User-s Guide, 2005-01-04.
[9] Launder BE, Spalding DB (1972). Lectures in Mathematical Models of Turbulence. Academic Press, London, England.
[10] Shih TH, Liou WW, Shabbir A, Yang Z, Zhu J (1995). A New k-╬Á Eddy-Viscosity Model for High Reynolds Number Turbulent Flows - Model Development and Validation. Computers and Fluids 24(3):227- 238.
[11] Gibson MM, Launder BE (1978). Ground Effects on Pressure Fluctuations in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer. J. Fluid Mech. (86):491-511.
[12] Launder BE (1989). Second-Moment Closure: Present... and Future? International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow 10(4):282-300.