Authors:
V. Askari
;
D. Nicolas
;
M. Edralin
and
C. Jang
Affiliation:
British Columbia Institute of Technology, School of Energy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC and Canada
Keyword(s):
Computational Fluid Dynamics, Flow Conditioner, Swirling Flow, Flow Measurement, Flow Velocity Profile.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Application Domains
;
Complex Systems Modeling and Simulation
;
Fluid Dynamics
;
Formal Methods
;
Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems
;
Plant Simulation
;
Simulation and Modeling
;
Simulation Tools and Platforms
Abstract:
Flow conditioners are used to measure flow rate more accurately. The sensitivity of flow measurement devices to swirling flows and not fully developed flows are subjects of concerns to flowmeter manufacturers as well as industries. Inaccurate flow measurement occurs in the presence of swirl flow and when the flow velocity profile is not fully developed. Distorted profiles occur when the piping configuration upstream of the flow measurement devices changes. Certain length of straight piping upstream of a flow meter is required to achieve acceptable flow velocity profile for expected flow meter accuracy. In some installations, it is not realistic to run lengths of piping to reach an acceptable flow velocity profile. Introducing flow conditioners into the system reduces piping needed to reach fully developed flow and significantly weaken swirling flows. In this study, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is developed and validated which is used to investigate systematically the se
nsitivity of various parameters for perforated flow conditioners. Published data and an experimental setup was used to verify the CFD model.
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