Learn more about SimHydraulics

T-junction - Simulate hydraulic resistance of T-junction in pipe

Library

Local Hydraulic Resistances

Description

The T-junction block represents a T-junction (wye connection) consisting, in general, of a main run and a branch merging to the main run. The junction as a hydraulic resistance is built of three Local Resistance blocks, as shown in the following diagram.

To specify pressure loss for all possible flow directions, you have to provide six pressure loss coefficients. The flow regime is checked in the underlying Local Resistance blocks by comparing the Reynolds number to the specified critical Reynolds number value, and depending on the result, the appropriate formula for pressure loss computation is used. For more information, see the reference documentation for the Local Resistance block.

The block positive direction is from port A to port B, from port A to port A1, and from port A1 to port B.

Basic Assumptions and Limitations

The model is based on the following assumption:

Fluid inertia is not taken into account.
The transition between laminar and turbulent regimes is assumed to be sharp and taking place exactly at Re=Re_cr.

Dialog Box and Parameters

Main pipe diameter: The internal pipe diameter of the main run. The default value is 0.01 m.
Branch pipe diameter: The internal pipe diameter of the branch. The default value is 0.01 m.
A-B pressure loss coefficient: The pressure loss coefficient between ports A and B when fluid flows in the direction from A to B. The default value is 1.12.
B-A pressure loss coefficient: The pressure loss coefficient between ports A and B when fluid flows in the direction from B to A. The default value is 1.12.
A-A1 pressure loss coefficient: The pressure loss coefficient between ports A and A1 when fluid flows in the direction from A to A1. The default value is 1.36.
A1-A pressure loss coefficient: The pressure loss coefficient between ports A and A1 when fluid flows in the direction from A1 to A. The default value is 1.65.
A1-B pressure loss coefficient: The pressure loss coefficient between ports A1 and B when fluid flows in the direction from A1 to B. The default value is 1.6.
B-A1 pressure loss coefficient: The pressure loss coefficient between ports A1 and B when fluid flows in the direction from B to A1. The default value is 1.8.
Critical Reynolds number: The maximum Reynolds number for laminar flow. The transition from laminar to turbulent regime is supposed to take place when the Reynolds number reaches this value. The value of the parameter depends on geometrical profile, and the recommendations on the parameter value can be found in hydraulic textbooks. The default value is 120.

Global Parameters

Fluid density: The parameter is determined by the type of working fluid selected for the system under design. Use the Hydraulic Fluid block or the Custom Hydraulic Fluid block to specify the fluid properties.
Fluid kinematic viscosity: The parameter is determined by the type of working fluid selected for the system under design. Use the Hydraulic Fluid block or the Custom Hydraulic Fluid block to specify the fluid properties.

Ports

The block has the following ports:

A: Hydraulic conserving port associated with the main run inlet.
B: Hydraulic conserving port associated with the main run outlet.
A1: Hydraulic conserving port associated with the branch inlet.