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Articles

Numerical Investigation of the Cryogenic Cavitating Flow Characteristics in Bi-Directional Cone Flowmeters: A Systematic Parameter Study

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Abstract

As a new type of cone flowmeter, the bi-directional cone flowmeter is a promising device for metering the cryogenic fluid due to its excellent advantages. This work presents a numerical study on the cavitating flow characteristics of liquid nitrogen in the bi-directional cone flowmeters based on a modified cavitation model with thermal effects. The influences of some factors, including operating conditions and structural parameters on the cavitation process and flow characteristics, are clarified. The results show that with the increase in the inlet velocity, the cavitation degree in region III increases, and when the outlet pressure increases, the cavitation degree in region II decreases apparently. Reducing the angle of the front cone can significantly decrease the degree of cavitation in the region II; however, it will strengthen the effects of cavitation on pressure and temperature fluctuation in the region III. As the angle of the rear cone decreases, the cavitation degree in the region III decreases, while the cavitation degree in region II barely changes. The results of this work could present important references for the design and optimization of the bi-directional cone flowmeter for cryogenic engineering.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51676208) and the fundamental research funds of central universities (No. 18CX07012A and No. 19CX05002A).

Notes on contributors

Xin-Yue Duan

Xin-Yue Duan is an assistant professor of energy and power engineering at the College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China). She received her doctoral degree in Engineering Thermophysics from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 2013 and obtained her Master degree from China University of Petroleum (East China) in 2006. She has published more than 20 peer-reviewed journals. Currently, she is working on numerical simulations of multiphase flow, heat and mass transfer in porous materials and cavitation flow in microscale heat exchanger systems.

Xiao Song

Xiao Song is a graduate student of the Department of Energy and Power Engineering at China University of Petroleum (East China), China. He received his Bachelor degree in Process Equipment and Control Engineering in 2018. Currently, he is working in the area of numerical simulations on two-phase flow in micro and nano-scale heat exchange systems.

Kai-Xin Chu

Kai-Xin Chu received her master degree in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics from China University of Petroleum (East China) in 2019. She obtained her Bachelor degree from Shandong University of Science and Technology in 2016. Presently, she is working in the area of heat and mass transfer in microscale heat exchanger systems, energy-saving, and seawater desalination.

Chuan-Yong Zhu

Chuan-Yong Zhu is an assistant professor of energy and power engineering at the College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China). He received his doctoral degree in 2019 from Xi'an Jiaotong University and obtained his Bachelor degree from the School of Chemical Engineering and Energy Zhengzhou University in 2009. He has published 7 international peer-reviewed journals in the area of heat and mass transfer in porous materials, physical modeling and CFD simulations.

Liang Gong

Liang Gong is an associate professor of energy and power engineering at the College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China). He received his doctoral degree and Master degree in Engineering Thermophysics from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 2010 and 2006, respectively. He has published more than 60 international peer-reviewed journals. Currently, he is working in the area of thermal management of microelectronic equipment, oil reservoir numerical simulation, and transfer phenomenon in multiple physical fields.

Ming-Hai Xu

Ming-Hai Xu is a professor of energy and power engineering at the College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China). He received his doctoral degree in Engineering Thermophysics from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 2001. He has published more than 50 international peer-reviewed journals in the area of the numerical calculation method, heavy oil steam injection thermal recovery, and energy-saving technology and CFD simulations.

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