An experimented study on the flow characteristics in a three-dimensional cylindrical branching channel

In this paper, we report on an experimented study on incompressible Newtonian flow in a three-dimensional cylindrical branching channel. The flow configuration studied in the present investigation is such that a fully developed laminar flow enters an abruptly expanded cylinder and the flow leaves this cylinder by two identical cylindrical outlet branch pipes. Representative velocities in the flow field were recorded by LDV (Laser Doppler Velocimetry) measurements, and volume flow rate from each outlet branch pipe was measured. Flow visualization in representative symmetric planes was also carried out. Based on results of the present investigation, the flow field in the three-dimensional cylindrical branching channel was clarified within the range of laminar flow. The characteristics of the branch flow rate were obtained and showed that there exist two distinct domains of strong asymmetric flow distribution from the outlet branch pipes, depending upon Reynolds numbers. It was further observed that the flow became time periodic as the Reynolds number was increased.