Numerical simulation on power-law fluid flow in helical pipes with circular cross-section

The helical pipe can be taken as multi-zone flow regulator of polymer injection.The Navier-Strokes equations for the orthogonal and helical coordinate system were established according to the features of polymer solution flow in helical pipes.The governing equations for fully developed flow of power-law fluid in helical pipes were obtained by using dimensionless analysis method.The power-law fluid flow in helical pipes with circular sections was studied by using finite volume method.The triangle mesh was applied to numerical calculation.The effects of curvature and torsion on secondary flow,isoline of stream function and distribution of the axial velocity of flow were discussed.Numerical calculation shows that the pressure gradient increases with the increment of flow flux for the helical pipes with the same curvature and torsion,and the pressure gradient increase with the increment of curvature and torsion for the helical pipes with the same flow flux.