Numerical And Experimental Analysis On The Dynamic Characteristics Of Coriolis Mass Flow Meter Made Up Of Flexible Tube

Abstract

Fluid-structure interaction is a complex phenomenon involving energy transfer between the fluid and the structure at the interface. So, modelling of this phenomenon has been a very challenging area of research in recent years. Fluid flow in pipes subject to external vibration occurs in a variety of engineering applications, including pipelines exposed to wind forces and sub-sea, pipelines excited by cross-flow currents, etc. Industries such as power-generating, chemical, petrochemical etc. make use of cylindrical structures in the form of pipes to convey fluids from one region to other. The flexible tubes find many applications in medical as well as pharmaceutical industries. Flexible tubes need only minimal energy to excite; hence it is suggested to use flexible tubes in the flow measuring devices which use vibration techniques. Coriolis mass Flow Meter (CFM), which uses vibrational techniques, is used for the direct measurement of mass flow rates. They are used in industries, due to high accuracy, range, stability and repeatability. They are widely accepted in industries as they show exact mass flow rate whereas other instruments measure volumetric flow rates. In most of the available CFM, U shaped metal tubes prefer over straight tubes for enhancing sensitivity. Current research suggests that the straight flexible tubes will be more sensitive than the metal U tube since these tubes will not add too much resistance to the flow. newlineA closed-loop water circulating system with a water storage head of 1.92m is developed for providing steady as well as a pulsatile (using a peristaltic pump or Rotary disc valve) fluid flow through the horizontal silicone tube. The Dynamic characteristics such as fundamental frequencies and damping ratios of the flexible tube conveying fluid are identified by experimenting with different flow velocities and pre-stretches. The flexible tube conveying fluid is modelled using eight noded curved Mindlin shell elements, which incorporate the effects such as shearing deformations and rotary