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Breakthrough in fluid mechanics! How does a T-joint affect flow distribution?
In industrial processes, the flow of fluid in manifolds is widely used in situations where a large flow of fluid needs to be distributed into several parallel flows and then converged into one discharge flow, such as fuel cells, plate heat exchangers, radial flow reactors and irrigation systems. Such fluid flows are commonly seen in various types such as diverging, converging, Z-shaped and U-shaped manifolds.
A key issue is the uniformity of flow distribution and pressure loss.
Traditionally, most theoretical models are based on Bernoulli's equation and take friction losses into account. Friction losses are usually described by the Darcy–Weisbach equation. In this model, the split flows can be represented by a flow channel network model, and the multi-scale parallel channel network is usually described as a particle network, which is similar to the traditional circuit approach.
In these fluid mechanics models, the flow of fluids is strikingly similar to the flow of electric current.
However, experimental results show that the pressure rise and non-uniform flow distribution after flowing through the T-joint challenge the traditional view. According to research, fluids prefer a straight-through direction during their flow, which results in uneven flow in the channel. The higher energy fluid tends to stay in the center of the channel, while the lower energy boundary layer fluid branches into other channels.
This phenomenon emphasizes the importance of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy when analyzing manifold flows.
Recently, Professor Wang conducted a series of studies on traffic distribution. He unified the main models into a theoretical framework and proposed a more extensive model. These models provide governing equations for diverging, converging, U-shaped and Z-shaped manifolds.
In this series of studies, the basic parameters of fluid dynamics were taken into account and correction factors were introduced to better describe the inertial effects. This new model not only responds to the shortcomings of previous fluid mechanics models, but also provides new ideas for designing and analyzing various flow systems.
These discoveries have led to increased effectiveness of fluid mechanics in industrial applications, with enhanced design standards and measurement guidance.
Advances in fluid dynamics research are enabling designers and engineers to use these new models to predict flow behavior and optimize system performance, ensuring even flow distribution and improving efficiency. In real-world applications, such as plate heat exchangers and fuel cell systems, these studies provide concrete guidelines that can be implemented and highlight the significant impact of fluid dynamics models on the final application.
Faced with new challenges, these advances are not only theoretical breakthroughs, but also demonstrate the powerful application potential of fluid mechanics in industrial practice. In the future, as technology evolves, will these fluid models be able to function in more complex environments?
