Attainment of Flowrate Uniformity in the Channels That Link a Distribution Manifold to a Collection Manifold

Abstract

A logic-based systematic method of designing manifold systems to achieve flowrate uniformity among the channels that interconnect a distribution manifold and a collection manifold has been developed, implemented, and illustrated by case studies. The method is based on tailoring the flow resistance of the individual channels to achieve equal pressure drops for all the channels. The tailoring of the flow resistance is accomplished by the use of gate-valve-like obstructions. The adjustment of the valve-like obstructions is determined here by means of numerical simulations. Although the method is iterative, it may converge in one cycle of the iterations. Progress toward the goal of per channel uniformity can be accelerated by tuning a multiplicative constant. The only departure of the method from being fully automatic is the selection of the aforementioned multiplicative constant. The method is described in detail in a step-by-step manner. These steps are illustrated both generically and specifically for four case studies. As an example, in one of the case studies, an original flow imbalance of over 100% in an untailored manifold system was reduced to a flow imbalance of less than 10% in one cycle of the method.