CFD Simulation of Water Distribution Network
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Date
2020
Authors
Yahya Mohammad Bani Matar
Khaled Omar
Loai Abu Shomar
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Abstract
The main aim of engineering is to solve problems, and Industries in our world today suffer
from many problems, which require wise economical solution. One of these problems is the
energy loss during industrial process such as flow inside pipelines, which in turn affects
efficiency and increases costs. Problems in piping systems are typically a result of poor
design, improper system operation, improper pipe selection, which require latterly
considerable maintenance and loss of energy efficiency. As a result of the mechanical nature
of pipes, which are also subject to wearing, erosion, cavitation and leakage.
The motivation of this study (or project) is the existence of such problem in the municipality
of Nablus, where it was found that high waste energy inside the water distribution network.
This project will investigate the pipe fitting and element for the pipe network, by studying the
water velocity and the pressure drop. This study is performed numerically using CFD
techniques instead of the expensive experimental methods.
Parts of pipeline network geometry were created and the fluid domains were meshed and
latterly were simulated using CFD ANSYS software at different boundary conditions.
In general, as fluid flows through the pipeline parts, its contact with the inner surface of the
pipe reduces its velocity. In the bend pipe parts, the streamlines of the fluid velocity moves
with in circular direction. The increase in the degree of pipe curvature leads to the pressure
increases on the surface of the pipe, which increasing its corrosion and impact force.
This study shows that the pressure drop in T-junction is higher than the compact and standard
wye, and the pressure drop in the elbow 45° is lower than elbow 90°. Hence it is preferable to
use a 45° elbow from the 90° elbow.