Diseño y análisis numérico de un separador de caudales con vertedero lateral inclinado

Abstract

The verification of a designed structure by means of empirical concepts has been a recurrent practice in civil engineering. However, for best results, its performance must be verified by means of computational numerical models, which have been very useful in recent decades. The present paper analyzes empirically and numerically a flow separator with side weir arranged in a rectangular channel with variable width, proposed to discharge 70% of the circulating flow [Q=3 m3/s] for the case of subcritical-turbulent regime approach; while, for supercritical-turbulent regime it was chosen to discharge 40% of the same circulating flow. The study proposes to find in an empirical/analytical way the necessary length of the lateral weir capable of discharging the above mentioned for the two flow regimes in its approach. To verify its performance, a CFD computational numerical analysis is performed using FLOW 3D software. It was determined that for the subcritical-turbulent regime approach case an average of 55.39% and 54.52%was obtained; while for the supercritical-turbulent regime the weir discharges 65.37% and 58.47% of circulating flow. Based on the results, it is verified that a gradual change in the width of the rectangular channel notoriously helps the discharge through the weir compared to a lateral weir parallel to the flow.