Modeling and analysis

The 3D CAD modeling of the pipe networks were done using the efficient modeling tools. The slots were provided across the length as face patches. The pipe network geometry had several pipe junctions, which made it very difficult to create high quality CFD meshes. These junctions were modeled as a one piece volume which were meshed using unstructured tetrahedral conformal meshes separately. We have used the same pipe network model to simulate two cases of fluid flow in the pipe network on the top and the bottom. The initial boundary conditions were given separately for both the pipe networks with mass flow rate and pressure outlet for the first and velocity inlet and pressure outlet for the second pipe network.

Figure showing the Contours of velocity


Figure showing the Contours of temperature

Conclusion

Mass fluxes (in Kg/s) from each of the 368 slots were plotted separately which was the main objective of the project and from the CFD analysis it was found that the flow from each slot was not uniform. Even though, the pipe is symmetric along the junctions, the flows along each symmetric branch was not uniform. This non-uniformity can be explained by the varying differential pressure being developed at slots along the branch. From the results obtained it was suggested to the client to have a change in the design of the pipe network and few suggestions were given to improve the performance of the piping network.