CFD prediction of k-factors of duct elbows

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used for predicting k-factors (pressure loss coefficients) for rectangular and flat-oval duct elbows. Prediction results were compared with experimental data from the literature and found to be in good agreement. The difference in the k-factor between a hat-oval elbow and a rectangular elbow is small, given the same cross-sectional area. The elbow k-factor is shown to decrease with increasing duct aspect ratio. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.