Improving the fluid flow distribution through ducts and equipment can improve power plant efficiency and eliminate persistent maintenance costs. Recent projects involving flow distribution in an electrostatic precipitator and in a gas turbine diverter and stack, conducted by the consulting group at Fluent Europe, have demonstrated how CFD can help with this important design issue.

Oscillatory flow through this gas turbine silencer, diverter, and bypass stack could lead to physical vibration problems and thermal stresses in the structure. FLUENT simulations helped to design the system for uniform steady flow and provided the understanding required to minimize problems.

Velocity vector prediction in the flow through a gas turbine silencer, diverter, and bypass stack. Courtesy of Wahlco Engineered Products, Ltd.

High-efficiency performance of this electrostatic precipitator requires uniform flow distribution through the precipitator plates. Uneven flow distribution leads to high pressure loss and poor dust capture. Here, fluid path lines illustrate how turning vanes upstream of the precipitator plates improved the flow distribution and equipment performance.

Simulation demonstrated how turning vanes improve performance in this electrostatic precipitator.

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