MEASUREMENT OF FLOW IN CIRCULAR ELASTIC TUBE

Abstract

Impedance pump is a simple valveless pumping mechanism which typically used in viscosity measurement device to assist pumping of fluid. It is typically connected to an elastic tube in a circulatory system of a more rigid tube. In conventional mechanical circulatory support systems using rotary pump, the pumping mechanism was exposed to turbulent stresses. Hence, this may cause damage to blood cells flowing through the impeller. There has been initial work on finding alternative solution using the impedance pump system. However, substantial findings are not yet sufficient to fully understand the mechanism. The purpose of this research is to extend the investigation on impedance pump by specifically looking at the effect of structural parameters on the elastic tube and the flow behaviour. In this study, a closed loop impedance pump system was set up to demonstrate blood flow circulatory system where the mixture of glycerine and water was used as the working fluid. Three variables were regulated namely voltage, tube thickness, and tube length was used in order to get the flowrate of the working fluid. Based on the results, it was found that tube thickness of 1 mm and a length of 200 mm had produced the highest flowrate in the region 75 ml/min.