Design and modeling considerations relative to the phenomena associated with flow recirculation in branched piping systems

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:291123

Coffield, R D; Chauvet, D M; Ogle, G G

Design and analytical modeling considerations associated with recirculating flow in piping systems with tee and Y connections are presented. Flow recirculation, in many process piping networks, can produce nonsteady flow and associated thermal conditions. In the flow recirculation discussion, experimental data is presented for a 90 degree branch piping (tee connection) using four different branch pipe sizes over a wide velocity range [Coffield and Kolar (1990)]. The discussion also includes recent test data for a 45 degree, Y connected, branch piping design. Designers can use this information by directly applying the limiting conditions that are presented at the design stage, or in evaluating the performance of existing systems. For example, although flow recirculation may result in complicated flow patterns, it often can have the beneficial effect of mixing low velocity branch line fluid with the primary system fluid as it approaches the intersection. In branch pipe systems where flows are at different temperatures this recirculation helps attenuate the potential for large thermal stresses. The recirculation flow patterns are strongly affected by the branch angle and thus they are presented as a function of the branch angle.

• Research Organization: Bettis Atomic Power Lab., West Mifflin, PA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC11-93PN38195
• OSTI ID: 291123
• Report Number(s): WAPD-T--3100; CONF-960738--; ON: DE99000481
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
DESIGN
FLUID FLOW
HEAT TRANSFER
PIPES
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
THERMAL STRESSES