CFD Analysis of Flow Metering of Non-Newtonian Fluids by Rotameter

Authors(3) :-Chandan Raju B C, Yogesh Kumar K J, Dr. V Seshadri

Rotameter is a variable area type of flow meter that can be used to measure the flow rates of both liquid and gases. Normally the rotameters are calibrated either with water or air depending on their applications. However, when the rotameter is used for other fluids, correction factors need to be applied for variations in fluid density and viscosity. These factors are not very well established. In the present work, CFD has been used to analyse characteristics of rotameter with non-standard fluids. A CFD methodology has been developed using ANSYS software-15 and it is validated using the available data. The most suitable choice of turbulence model is identified. The semi divergence angle (𝜃) of the rotameter plays on important role in deciding the range of flow rates for a given meter. CFD has been used quantify the range of flow rates for various values of 𝜃 in the range 0.5 to 2°. The relation is found to be non-linear. The characteristics of a rotameter used for measuring non-Newtonian fluids are also analysed. The drag characteristics of a viscosity compensating float inside a tube for the flow of pseudo plastic fluid are studied for various values of k and n. Such analyses are made at two diameter ratios and two Reynolds numbers in the laminar regime. It is observed that CD is affected by the value of n. The performance of a rotameter with pseudo plastic fluid having different values of consistency index (k) and power law index (n) are analysed and they are compared with water performance. It is observed that the indicated flow in case of non-Newtonian fluid will always less than actual flow. The maximum error will be of the order of 5% as long as care is taken to ensure that the range of Reynolds numbers in both water as well as non-Newtonian fluid flow are kept same. This conclusion is valid for flow rates in the laminar regime only.

Authors and Affiliations

Chandan Raju B C
M. Tech. Student, Thermal Power Engineering, MIT-Mysore, Karnataka, India
Yogesh Kumar K J
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT-Mysore, Karnataka, India
Dr. V Seshadri
Professor (Emeritus), Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT-Mysore, Karnataka, India

CFD, ANSYS, ISO, RANS, SST, FDM, FEM, ANSYS FLUENT

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Publication Details

Published in : Volume 3 | Issue 5 | July-August 2017
Date of Publication : 2017-08-31
License:  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Page(s) : 47-64
Manuscript Number : IJSRSET17346
Publisher : Technoscience Academy

Print ISSN : 2395-1990, Online ISSN : 2394-4099

Cite This Article :

Chandan Raju B C, Yogesh Kumar K J, Dr. V Seshadri, " CFD Analysis of Flow Metering of Non-Newtonian Fluids by Rotameter, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology(IJSRSET), Print ISSN : 2395-1990, Online ISSN : 2394-4099, Volume 3, Issue 5, pp.47-64, July-August-2017. Citation Detection and Elimination     |     
Journal URL : https://ijsrset.com/IJSRSET17346

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