Two-Dimensional Laminar Flow in Elbows

A finite difference procedure is employed to evaluate the primary flow field in two typical elbows. The first has an internal wall radius equal to the width; the internal radius of the second sharper elbow is equal to one half of the width. Two dimensional flow is assumed and a 20 by 20 grid network is employed in both cases. The field is transformed into a rectangular one by generalized curvilinear coordinates. Velocity profiles and streamline patterns are presented and discussed. In both cases the outflow attains the parabolic profile assumed for the inflow. The pressure distributions on the internal and external walls have been calculated.