Optimization of pressure drop in curved conduits using Ansys DesignXplorer

Abstract

This paper describes the effects of guide vanes installed in curved conduits with the main emphasis on pressure loss reduction. In curved parts of conduits, eddy zones are created due to the flow separation resulting in an increased value of pressure drop. Installation of guide vanes can prevent the creation of large eddy zones. On the other hand, the cross-section of the conduit is decreased by placing the vanes, leading to the growth of the pressure drop. That is why the properties of guide vanes needed to be selected carefully. The goal of this paper is to describe the process of finding the optimal number of vanes in order to obtain the lowest value of pressure drop in the curved conduit. This is achieved by a parametric case study in Ansys DesignXplorer combined with CFD simulations in Ansys Fluent. The case study parameters are the number and thickness of vanes, dimensions of the conduit, and the inlet velocity. Our results are compared with recommendations on the optimal number of vanes from Idelchik [1].