Determination of Optimum Pressure Loss Coefficient and Flow Distribution at Unsymmetrical Pipe Trifurcation Using Experimental and Numerical Technique

摘要

The branching of pipes is common in fluid distribution system, in penstocks of hydroelectric power plants. Junction introduces extra energy losses due to deviation of flow direction and change in magnitude of velocity and flow rate and separation the flow at the sharp corner. Hydraulic analysis is needed to optimize the head losses occurring pipe junctions. Flow prediction at pipe trifurcation junction due to combining streamlines, curvature, turbulence, anisotropy and recalculating region at high Reynolds number is complex. An attempt is made to study the pressure loss ('K= ΔP') for unsymmetrical pipe trifurcation (15°-45°, 30°-15° and 35°-20°) using experimental and numerical techniques. It is found that the turbulence and unequal angle of trifurcation are the main reasons for losses and separation of flow. Combined trifurcation loss coefficient (K) and branch loss coefficients have been correlated between split flow ratios.