CFD Analysis for Non-Newtonian Pseudo Plastic Liquid Flow Through Small Diameter U-BEND

Abstract

Experimental investigation has been carried out in order to study the pressure drop for non-Newtonian liquid flow through four different U-bends. Here, we have considered the internal diameter of the bend as 0.0127 m, radius of curvature (m) as 0.06 ≤ Rcb ≤ 0.20, and the non-Newtonian liquid flow rate (Ql×10-4 m3/s) as 1.18 to 4.5. The effects of different variables such as liquid flow rate, radius of curvature, pseudo plasticity of the liquid on the frictional pressure drop have been investigated. Numerical modeling is carried out using Fluent 6.3 software to find its applicability. The computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations are carried out using laminar non-Newtonian pseudo plastic power law model. Laminar non-Newtonian pseudo plastic power law model is used here as the SCMC (Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose) solution flow through the bend behaves as non-Newtonian pseudo plastic fluid in laminar condition. The simulated results predict the flow structure, pressure drop, static pressure, shear stress, shear strain, Dean Vortices, friction factor and loss coefficients. The effect of pseudo plasticity, angle, radius of curvature, and Reynolds number on pressure drop, loss coefficient, friction factor and flow behavior inside the bend have also been explained elaborately and compared the results with water. The CFD simulation results are used to compare with the experimental data and observe a very good agreement with the experimental values.