IHS ESDU CFD validation studies for pressure loss and flow characteristics in sudden contractions. TN 06023

This Technical Note describes the CFD studies conducted by ESDU for the validation of the predictions of pressure loss and flow characteristics in sharp-, round- and chamfer-edged sudden contractions, in support of the correlations in ESDU 05024. The CFD calculations were carried out using the CFD package CFX5 by ANSYS Inc., and were compared with data found in the literature. The CFD predictions for the flow fields were compared with LDA measurements and numerical studies. The CFD for predictions the pressure loss coefficient were compared with the experimental data and correlations. The fluid was assumed incompressible and Newtonian. The flow regimes were laminar, transitional, and turbulent (1 =< Re =< 106). Best Practice Guidelines for the CFD modelling of the flow in sudden contractions are provided.