Influence of geometry and surface morphology of the U-tube on the fluid flow in the range of various velocities
A.A. GOGOLIN, Marek Wasilewski, Grzegorz Ligus, Szymon Wojciechowski, Bartosz Gapiński, Jolanta Królczyk, D. Zając, Grzegorz Królczyk
Abstract
This paper focuses on evaluation of differences in the newly manufactured U-tubes and ones after operation. Differences in geometry and internal surface roughness were investigated and a flow simulation was carried out in the Ansys Fluent software, where properties such as flow nature, maximum velocity and pressure drop were examined. A numerical model validation process was carried out with an application of PIV experiments. The digital models of the U-tube were obtained with an application of computer tomography. As a result of the tests, it has been noticed that the U-tube after operation has a much more distorted cross-sectional shape comparing to the shape of the new one. Moreover, the U-tube after operation is characterized by a 3-fold higher average surface roughness Sa value than one obtained in the new tube. The maximum flow velocities for the tube after operation are about 3.4% higher than ones reached for theoretical tube.