3-D Simulation of Dividing Flows in 90deg Rectangular Closed Conduits

Abstract

Dividing flows in closed conduits (Fig. 1) are encountered often in environmental engineering and hydraulic engineering, while dealing with water and wastewater treatment plants, water distribution networks, and irrigation systems. There are many variables that influence the performance of these systems. In the past, the study of dividing flows has been restricted to physical models, one-dimensional theoretical analysis or one-dimensional numerical solutions. Several studies (1-5) have provided the various energy loss coefficients for flow past junctions of circular closed conduits. Popp and Sallet (6) used LDV to obtain the velocity field data for dividing flow past a rectangular tee junction for which the area ratio L∕B=1 (Fig. 1). Ramamurthy and Zhu (7) provided experimental data for dividing flows in 90deg junctions of rectangular closed conduits. Very recently, Weber et al. (8) performed an extensive experimental study of 90deg open channel junction flows for the purpose of providing comprehensive data needed for numerical code validation (9). Fu (10) studied the flows in manifolds using the k-ε model and verified the predications using data of tests in which laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) was used.