Numerical Evaluation of the Flow within a Rhomboid Tessellated Pipe Network with a 3 × 3 Allometric Branch Pattern for the Inlet and Outlet

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the hydrodynamic performance of a novel pipe network with tessellated geometry and allometric scales. Numerical simulations were used to evaluate flow behaviour and pressure drop. The comparison geometry featured a Parallel Pipe Pattern (PPP), while the proposed design employed a Rhombic Tessellation Pattern (RTP). Steady-state simulations were conducted under identical boundary conditions, examining water mass flows ranging from 0.01 to 0.06 kg/s. The results revealed RTP significant advantages over the PPP. The RTP, integrated with a fractal tree pattern, demonstrated remarkable capabilities in achieving uniform flow distribution and maintaining laminar flow regimes across the mass flow rates. Additionally, exhibited an average reduction in pressure drop of 92% resulting in improved efficiency. The Reynolds number at PPP inlet was 5.4 times higher than in the RTP, explaining the considerably higher pressure drop. At a mass flow rate of 0.06 kg/s, the PPP experienced a pressure drop of up to 3.43 kPa, while the RTP’s pressure drop was only 0.350 kPa, highlighting a remarkable decrease of 91.5%. These findings underscore the RTP superior performance in minimizing pressure drop, making it suitable for accommodating higher mass flow rates, thus highlighting its exceptional engineering potential.

Keywords

• hydrodynamic performance
• allometric relation scales
• rhombic tessellation
• fractal pattern
• numerical simulations
• solar collector