Simulating the Effects of Structural Parameters on the Hydraulic Performances of Venturi Tube

Abstract

The effects of Venturi structural parameters on its hydraulic performance were studied, which provided theoretical basis for the design of Venturi injector. With an inlet diameter of 50 mm, based on the method of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the effects of the structural parameters (such as throat taper, throat contraction ratio, and throat length) on their hydraulic performance (such as outlet faceted average velocity, minimum pressure, and critical pressure) were studied under different inlet pressures and pressure differences between inlet and outlet. A power function relationship existed between the mean velocity in outlet section and pressure difference, with an approximate flow stance index of 0.53. Minimum pressure occurred in the throat inlet wall and there was a linear relationship between the minimum pressure and the pressure difference at the inlet and outlet. The throat contraction ratio was the main factor on the effect of Venturi injector performance, which was positively correlated with outlet velocity, negatively to critical pressure, the minimal in-tube pressure, coefficient of local head loss, and fertilizer absorption ratio. For designing Venturi injector, contraction ratio should be reasonably selected according to the coefficient of local head loss and fertilizer absorption ratio.