Modeling the hydrodynamic characteristics of water flow in a flow meter block with passive flow swirl in the pipeline system of a verification facility

The article describes the defi ciencies in the fl ow geometry of a typical pressure pipeline system and the layout of a fl owmeter unit used in a verifi cation rig. A signifi cant problem with water fl ow through a complex fl ow section of a pressure pipeline system is fl ow separation at the walls, leading to cavitation and vibrations within the pipeline system. An approach is proposed that eliminates cavitation in the water fl ow and wall vibrations in complex sections of a pressure pipeline system. This is achieved by creating a vortex structure in the water fl ow in the receivers of a fl owmeter unit with passive fl ow swirl. Geometric models of the fl ow sections of pressure pipeline systems and fl owmeter units (typical and prospective with passive fl ow swirl) are constructed. High-resolution grid models with denser near-wall regions adapted for calculations are generated. Dimensionless coordinates (local Reynolds numbers in cells) are determined, which can be used to calculate turbulence models based on averaging the Navier-Stokes equations over the Reynolds number. The results of numerical predictions are verifi ed based on the results of an experimental study of pressure losses in a fl ow meter unit of a typical pipeline system. Numerical modeling of pressure losses in a fl ow meter unit with passive fl ow swirl in a prospective pipeline system was performed, based on which this system was designed, created, and experimentally studied. The quality of the turbulent water fl ow velocity profi le in the outlet cross-section of the prospective pipeline system and the effect of the paired vortex structure in the pressure pipeline on the fl ow structure and the formation of the velocity profi le in the measuring line are assessed. The hydraulic effi ciency of the fl ow meter unit with passive fl ow swirl is substantiated. A pressure single-phase (cavitation-free) water fl ow is implemented. The presented approach and the obtained results can be used in the development of new verifi cation rigs and the modernization of existing ones.