Basic flow characteristics in three-dimensional branching channel with sudden expansion

Deflection characteristics of flows in three-dimensional branching channel geometries were obtained experimentally and phenomenological explanations were given by analyzing the three dimensional flow field numerically. It was found from the results of the experiments, which were verified by means of numerical simulation, that the defection characteristics are largely dependent upon the net contribution of the swirl component in the expanded channel part before entering each distribution outlet pipe. It was further revealed that there are different flow distribution characteristics when the distribution outlet pipes are further apart from the center of cylindrical axis in the expanded channel part.