SPH simulations of turbulent flow in curved pipes with different geometries. A comparison with experiments

Abstract

The swirling secondary flow in curved pipes is studied in three-space dimensions using a weakly compressible Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (WCSPH) formulation coupled to new non-reflecting outflow boundary conditions. A large-eddy simulation (LES) model for turbulence is benchmarked with existing experimental data. After validation of the present model against experimental results for a 90 • pipe bend, a detailed numerical study aimed at reproducing experimental flow measurements for a wide range of Reynolds numbers has been performed for different pipe geometries, including U pipe bends, S-shaped pipes and helically coiled pipes.