Simulation of the Reynold experiment

Abstract

In this end-of-degree project, the practice performed in the laboratory of chemical engineering experimentation "Fluid flow regime for pipes: Reynolds number" is reproduced through the use of a computer program for fluid dynamics. The experiment consists of making a fluid flow through a glass tube where a tracer is injected to distinguish the different flow regimes. The flow regime and the loss of charge for different values of the Reynolds number are observed. To reproduce this experiment the following steps have been followed: Firstly, a scheme and the mesh of this scheme was made to represent the real situation. Secondly, a validation of the model was carried out to show that the values obtained through the simulation were consistent with those obtained in the laboratory. Finally, several simulations were carried out for different values of the Reynolds number in order to observe different parameters of interest and the determination of the critical point. These simulations have been made using the CFS ANSYS program, where water was used instead of a tracer. This is because the program itself allows you to distinguish water depending on the surface through which it has been introduced to the system. When performing these simulations, we have been able to observe the different flow regimes using different speed profiles, and determine a range where the critical point is present. The conclusions that we have obtained are that it is possible to carry out the simulations using the CFD program. When using the k-epsilon model this program is consistent when we are not close to the critical point.