Author(s): Y. Shammaa; D. Z. Zhu; N. Rajaratnam
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Orifice; Intake; Suction; Point Sink; Velocity Potential
Abstract: Near-field flow upstream of an orifice was simulated using potential flow theory. It was found that near the orifice, the isovelocity surfaces had a semiellipsoids shape; while far from the orifice they became semispheres. These surfaces, however, were distorted when the orifice has sharp edges (like a square or a rectangle). The shape and size of the orifice were found to have no effect on the flow behavior beyond a distance of about 2 to 3 times of square root of the orifice area. Beyond that distance, the solution is close to a point sink solution. Finite water depth was found to increase the near-field velocity. Comparisons of the results of this approach with those of numerical and experimental methods make this approach a simple and elegant alternative method.
Year: 2003