Computational Fluid Dynamics Study for Flow of Natural Gas through High-pressure Supersonic Nozzles: Part 2. Nozzle Geometry and Vorticity

TLDR

The study uses computational fluid dynamics to investigate high‑pressure natural gas flow through supersonic nozzles. CFD simulations varied nozzle geometry by inserting a constant‑area channel between convergent and divergent sections and altering conduit lengths to examine temperature and shockwave effects. Results show that longer channels shift shock positions, increase pressure losses from inlet swirl, and create high vorticity just before the shock, making that region ideal for fine‑particle separation and suggesting moderate shock strength is advantageous.

Abstract

Abstract The computational fluid dynamics technique is used to study the behavior of high-pressure natural gas when it flows through nozzles with supersonic velocities. Effect of nozzle geometry is discussed by inserting a constant area channel between the convergent and divergent parts of the system. Various conduit lengths are analyzed to show how the minimum temperature could be influenced by the geometry of the nozzle. The results also show that changing channel length can affect the position of shockwave. The results for the effect of vorticity on the performance of the nozzles show that, although losses in pressure increase due to inlet swirl flow, vorticity increases very sharply in the vicinity of the shock. It could be concluded that the region just before the shock spot is the main region where fine particles can be separated because of the large vorticity strength. Shock with reasonable strength may be favored in practical applications where fine particles separation is desired.