A numerical study of diversion flow to determine the optimum flow system in open channels

Abstract

Abstract The term ‘branching flow’ describes water extraction from streams or main channels via secondary lateral channels. Through using 3D model simulation, the aim is to identify the ideal angle of diversion based on the maximum flow rate to the branching channel and the minimum zone of separation size attained at the entrance channel for the eight grades (90°, 75°, 60°, 45°, 30°, 25°, 20°, and 15°). An experimental study has previously been confirmed, and this paper provides a comprehensive implementation of the numerical solution (finite volume) using Flow 3D version 11.0.4 software. The validation study was conducted at the Babylon University/College of Engineering/Laboratory of the fluid. The study presented results for many different flow discharge ratios depending on two inflow discharges (12.5 and 18.5 L/s). The comparison between the numerical model and the experimental results revealed statistically a good agreement. The final results demonstrated that a diversion angle of 25° had the most significant optimum angle with the maximum discharge ratio, a minimum separation zone size, and minimum energy losses. Furthermore, the flow rate peaks in the bifurcating channel (5.76 and 8.11 L/s), which accounts for roughly 46.06 and 43.83%, respectively, from the main channel flow.