Software recommendations for manifold fluid analysis

[garycvv]

Hello,
I wondered if anyone could help in recommending a software package for analysing a manifold flow. This manifold has dividing and combining flows. I've previously analysed a similar system following an example given in Miller's Internal flow Systems book. Where I looked up loss coefficients for each dividing T, combining T from contour plots given in the book. Then iterated through until I had found the pressure loss and flow in each leg of the manifold. I was very happy with the result, it agreed within a few % with some later CFD and much later bench testing. But it took awhile to do and was the subject of operator error as I had to use my judgement to estimate the loss coefficients for values between the isolines on the contour plot.

I've got a similar problem to look at now but instead of trying to find check the pressure loss in a system that has been designed, I'd like to use some software to compare several different designs. Is there any software available?
I think I could develop something in python to do this, but it would take me some time. In terms of my time and skill set it would be quicker to start on CFD analysis instead but if there's an existing package out there I'd be interested in using it. It should be fairly quick to solve and allow churning through of a few different combinations. Whereas with CFD we would be limiited to 2-3 to model.
Thanks

 

[1503-44]

Depends on where flow comes from and where flows are going to and whats driving it. It isnt often in myline of work that manifolds can be isolated from other system piping, so you need to look at the whole system,not just some short bit of manifold. Theoretically you might even have reverse flow in some sections depending on system and flow constraints in other regions. On the other hand, where flow is more orderly and bounbary conditions atthe manifold are well defined,an excel spread sheet could be all you need. AFT Flow (or similar pkg) usually handles these kinds of problems sufficiently well for my needs, but you will not see details like you got usiing your CFD.