Modelling and Simulation of Venturi Parameters in Relation to Geometries and Discharge Coefficient with Computational Fluid Dynamics Technique

Abstract

Fluid flow characteristics include liquid, as well as gas, plays a vital role in the modern-day engineering field having extensive application in the industries. The investigation of fluid flow and its characteristics is essential to perform experimentation with engineering studies. Computation of flow rate through a pipe is done with the difference of pressure head available at the cross-section area of the pipe. The meter which performs the said computation of fluid flow termed as a venturimeter. Venturimeter finds useful in plumbing, fluid oil pipeline, automotive carburetor, petroleum chemical industries, etc. In this experimental study, an investigation is carried out in fluid engineering lab equipped with facility for flow calibration. Venturimeter and orifice meter are employed to measure discharge coefficients for the fluid considered in the experiment. The impact of angles on fluid characteristics is studied by modelling through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. Fluid flow within venturimeter is simulated with a steady flow in k-epsilon model. The experimental model obtained with the beta ratio 0.6 together with inputs of three different angles for convergent as well as a divergent section of venturi. The respective angles are 21, 20, 21 and 9,11,7 for convergent and divergent side, respectively. Pre-processing of experimental model geometry was performed using CREO. In the processing phase, ANSYS tool was utilized for the meshing and definition of boundary conditions. Within post-processing, contours of pressure and velocity were determined with CFX solver. The experimental data was validated and compared with CFX result.