TPF-6 Multiphase CFD: U-Bends and Turnaround Headers

K. J. Farrell

2004; rev 07/2017

This report discusses multiphase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of turning flows in U-bends and turnaround headers. After brief descriptions of the numerical models, simulations of both single-phase and two-phase flows in the MBU serpentine test section are described to validate the CFD models for turning two-phase flows. The computed U-bend single-phase pressure drops compare favorably with the Blevins method, which is explained in this report. Simulations of two-phase flows in turnaround headers show that the header geometry has little effect on the Stokes number of the liquid droplets and hence the occurrence of dropout.