Investigation of the geometry effect on air-demand ratio in conduits with a sluice gate

Abstract

Gated conduits involve high-velocity air–water flow. When studies on gated conduits are examined, it is determined that the air-demand ratio changes according to the hydraulic and geometric parameters. However, no study has investigated the effect of the cross-sectional geometry of high-head conduits with a sluice gate on the air-demand ratio. In this study, the effect of conduit cross-sectional geometry on the air-demand ratio is examined. Results indicate that a conduit's cross-sectional geometry has an important effect on the air-demand ratio, especially at 10% and 15% gate opening rates. It is seen that the effect of the conduit geometry on the air-demand ratio decreases at 20%, and for greater gate opening rates. Moreover, a formula for estimated the air-demand ratio is presented, relating the air-demand ratio to the gate opening rate, Froude number, hydraulic radius and conduit length.