Effect of Straightening Vane on Hydraulic Performances of Sprinkler by CFD Analysis

摘要

The investigation of the influence of structural parameters and installed positions of straightening vanes on the hydraulic performances of sprinkler becomes more and more important. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach can be successfully used to simulate the internal flow characteristics of the sprinkler. In this study, three k ε ?turbulence models were utilized for different structures of straightening vanes in search of optimal CFD methods for sprinkler simulation. The distributions of velocity, pressure and turbulence kinetic energy for sprinklers at inlet pressures ranging 250-500kPa were simulated. The calculated results revealed that turbulence kinetic energy is reduced significantly at nozzle outlet for sprinkler with straightening vane and the flow rate can slightly increase as the length of straightening vane increases. In addition, the relationship between flow rates and inlet pressures was also predicted. The results of the simulated and experimental data were in good agreement. Finally an optimal straightening vane was recommended.