Some of the elements of practical pipeline systems, e.g. bend, elbow, valve and so on, are often placed near one another. The flow through these elements exhibits a complex flow pattern different from that through a single element. In such cases, the total loss of the flow is not equal to the sum of each loss through a single element. This phenomenon is caused by the mutual interference of flow and has seldom been examined and will be an important subject hereafter. This study investigates the mutual interference of flow through multiple sharp-edge orifices in series, which is typical of successive area contraction and expansion in a pipeline, experimentally. First, the characteristics of resistance of each orifice are examined. Next, the energy loss of 2 to 5 orifices having same area contraction ratio and set in series in a pipeline is investigated. Then, a physical picture of the mutual interference of flow through the multiple orifices was obtained by measuring the velocity and pressure profile. In conclusion, the results obtained were as follows. 1) In spite of variations in the Reynolds number, the resistance coefficient of the multiple orifices is nearly constant, the same as with a single orifice. 2) For multiple orifices of the same area contraction and number, the smaller the spacing between the orifices, the more the resistance coefficient is affected due to interference. However, when the spacing is larger than 4.5. pipe diameters, the interference almost decreases. 3) For multiple orifices of the same area contraction, the greater the number of orifices (for very small orifice spacing) and the smaller the numbers of orifices (for large orifice spacing), the greater the resistance coefficient is affected due to interference. 4) For multiple orifices of the same spacing and same number, the larger the area contraction, the more intense the interference. 5) The resistance interference coefficient of each orifice composing multiple orifices is divided into three classes; comparatively less interference in the first orifice, extreme interference in the second orifice, and medium interference. 6) The mutual interference of flow through multiple orifices is explained qualitatively with the results of measurements of the static pressures and velocity distributions in up- and downstream side of orifices.
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