1. Dispersion in Steady Pipe Flow with Reynolds Number Under 10,000
- Author
-
Cutter, Matthew R.
- Subjects
- Engineering, Environmental, longitudinal dispersion coefficient, tracer, laminar, water distribution network, dead-end, simulator
- Abstract
The longitudinal dispersion coefficient of a conservative tracer (CaCl2) was calculated from continuous flow tests in a dead-end pipe system. The system consisted of 6-inch diameter PVC pipe with a test length of approximately 44 meters. Flow conditions ranged from laminar to turbulent regimes, with a Reynolds number range of 1000 to 10000. Two static mixers in series were used to homogenize the tracer concentration across the cross-section of pipe. The conductivity of the tracer was measured at two locations downstream of the injection and mixers using a conductivity probe at a point in the cross-section. Dispersion coefficients calculated by the method of moments are plotted versus Reynolds number. Test results show increasing time-averaged dispersion rate in the laminar flow regime and a portion of the transitional flow regime with increasing Reynolds number. At a flow rate corresponding to a Reynolds number (Re) of approximately Re=2400, the dispersion rate reaches a maximum value and then decreases until approximately Re=4000. As the tests enter the turbulent flow regime, the dispersion rate is minimized due to the plug-flow behavior inherent to turbulent flow. Results indicate that dispersion plays a more important role in mass transport in laminar and transitional flow than advective mass transport. Incorporating dispersion estimates into network water quality models will improve quality predictions for the dead-end portions of the network.
- Published
- 2004