Dividing Rectangular Closed Conduit Flows

Abstract

The characteristics of dividing flows in closed rectangular conduits are studied to determine experimentally the various energy loss coefficients for a range of discharge ratios Q3 /Q1 and three ratios of the width of the branch to the width of the main. The contraction coefficient and the loss coefficients related to branching flow are determined using the results of an existing lateral outlet model for two-dimensional flow. For the branch flow, two different procedures are used to obtain the variation of an energy loss coefficient and the contraction coefficient dependent on the discharge ratio. The two procedures yield results which are in reasonably close agreement. Detailed velocity and pressure distributions are presented for branching flows in closed rectangular conduits to understand some of the flow processes involved. The results presented will be useful to the hydraulic engineer in the design of flow systems encountered in water and wastewater purification plants.