Computational fluid dynamics analysis of flowmeters with elliptical gear pairs and evaluation of calculated flow rate by Taguchi method

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Pazarkaya İ., Yazar M., Özdemir A.

FLOW MEASUREMENT AND INSTRUMENTATION, cilt.94, ss.1-13, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 94
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.flowmeasinst.2023.102476
  • Dergi Adı: FLOW MEASUREMENT AND INSTRUMENTATION
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Compendex, INSPEC
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-13
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Accurate determination of flowmeters’ design and manufacturing parameters ensures that commercially available flowmeters’ declared characteristics are reliable. In this study, nine different flow meters with elliptical gear pairs were manufactured at three different a/b ratios, three different modules, and three different tooth numbers, and the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models were prepared. CFD analysis forms the basis of the study’s methodology, which seeks to statistically identify the most appropriate elliptical gear parameters according to the flow meters manufactured and what the most influential parameter that changes the measured flow rate is. As the pressure of the fluid increased, the measured and CFD-calculated flow rates decreased. According to the measured flow rates and CFD analysis results, it was found that the average flow rate change was − 0.0102 %, the biggest change was in the flow meter coded Db-03 with 0.0855 % at 3.00 MPa pressure, and the least change was in the flow meter coded Db-02 with 0.0002 % at 4.50 MPa pressure. The CFD models developed for the manufactured flowmeters were suitable for all flowmeters according to the measured and calculated percent flow rate variations. Taguchi L9 analysis revealed that a/b = 1.40, m = 2.50 mm, and z = 40 teeth are the optimal manufacturing parameters for elliptical gear, according to the signal-to-noise ratio based on the largest, best analysis. According to the analysis of variance, the modulus value contributed the most to the calculated flow rate at 65.25%, whereas the a/b ratio contributed the least with 0.96%.