Figure 35  General 17 – Balanced Flow Distribution

This example models a water distribution system containing a pump with a fixed head and a bank of four heat exchangers which require a balanced flow of cooling water.


Four Sharp Edge Orifice components are positioned to maintain various flow rates through the heat exchangers. These are configured to automatically calculate (auto size for flow) the plate size that is 

required.


Pipe Flow Expert supports Sharp Edged, Round Edged, Bevel Edged and Thick Edged orifices.


The software allows the user to enter additional data as appropriate to the type of orifice that is defined, such as rounding radius, bevel thickness, bevel angle, and plate thickness.


Orifices are widely installed in piping systems and hydraulic machinery to provide a regular and reproducible loss of pressure. Orifices are used to measure flow, to limit flow, or, in branching systems, to balance or otherwise distribute flow.