The Pressure Losses in 90° Bends of Rectangular Cross-section

Abstract

<p> An experimental study of turbulent flow of air around a 90º bend is reported in this thesis. Four 90º bends of aspect ratio 1, 3, 5 & 10 and radius ratio 1.0 have been tested in the Reynolds number range of 1 × 10⁵ to 5 × 10⁵. The loss in total pressure across the bend (or elbow) is reported for two discharge conditions (1) and the elbow discharging to a plenum chamber through a constant area duct of a length equal to 4 hydraulic diameters; (2) the elbow discharging to the plenum chamber directly. A comparison of the experimental results is made with the curves given in NACA report L4F26 which have been reproduced in the recently published SAE Aero-Space Manual. </p> <p> Various other flow parameters, such as velocity profiles, turbulence levels and pressure distributions are also given in this thesis. </p>