Abstract
Fluid distribution in various geometries like plate heat exchangers, spargers, fuel cells, solar collectors etc. is very important for improved performance of these equipment??s. Parameters like the header to tube ratio and the ratio of areas of the headers is extremely important and has been studied by researchers for a variety of equipment??s. We consider a slightly different geometry from the conventional ones in which the feed position is in the center of the header and the tubes are uniformally distributed along the header such that the central tube is exactly below the feed header. Experimental measurements were performed with air for the base geometry for different flowrates at atmospheric pressure. Three dimensional (3D) simulations were performed for the same geometry and working fluid after which the predictions were validated against the experimental data. The model predictions were in a good agreement with the experimental data (~15% deviation). 3D simulations were then performed for pressures ranging from 1 to 40 bars and different inlet flowrates (i.e. Reynolds numbers) with steam as working fluid for the base geometry. Extent of non-uniformity (ENU) was studied for these cases as a function of Reynolds number (in the range of 10 4 <Re<3×10 6 ) for different pressures (in the range 1 bar < P < 40 bar). It was observed that the %ENU increased with increase in Reynolds number as well as pressures. Different distributor configurations were tried and the distributor plate with least %ENU was selected. 3D simulations have been performed for different Reynolds numbers (in the range of 10 4 <Re<3×10 6 ) and pressures (1 bar < P < 40 bar). Significant decrease in %ENU <5% is observed due to the distributor plate.
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