Hydraulic flow resistances for incompressible flows

Hydraulic resistances are modeled with 2-node hydraulic elements.

FLOWRES type of hydraulic elements model length-independent pressure drops, while DUCT type of elements model length-dependent pressure drops. For both, the non-linear flow resistance is determined by the Kloss parameter.

Hence:

where Kloss is the head loss factor.

For FLOWRES elements the Kloss parameter is defined by:

  • KPROP is the nominal head loss factor.
  • KTABLE is a multiplying factor interpolated from table (default = 1).

For DUCT elements Kloss is computed from:

where RF is the flow resistance factor computed for the element.

Three types of DUCT element configurations are possible: straight ducts, diffusers (where the flow widens), and nozzles (where the flow contracts). The flow direction and the ratio of the areas of the 1–node elements at its ends determine the type of DUCT element configuration.