EFD.Lab computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software is designed to allow engineers to quickly and accurately simulate flow velocity, direction, and pressure. The software was used by Actaris to design its new gas meter, the Dattus fM2. This Actaris fluidic meter determines flow rate by putting an obstacle in the flow stream and using a sensor to measure the resulting oscillations. Based on the fluidic oscillation principle, the gas meter divides gas flow to eliminate upstream disturbances, then recombines the flow and directs it against an obstacle. While the jet oscillates back and forth, thermal sensors detect temperature variances. The device determines the volume of gas passed through the meter by counting the number of oscillations detected by the sensors. Compact in design, the meter features no moving parts. The design of the meter requires that the flow pattern within it be consistent over a wide range of flow rates. Although prototypes allowed Actaris to evaluate the accuracy of the meter, they did not show the flow pattern. This made it difficult to determine the cause of inaccuracies. EFD.Lab software, said to provide the same accuracy as high-end software, requires less time to simulate gas meter flow. In designing the Dattus fM2 meter, Actaris engineers evaluated a range of designs using software prototypes. They visualized the flow inside each design at flow rates that covered the meter’s entire application range. They viewed the flow development as the flow rate increased and the flow moved from laminar to turbulent. They also observed vortices and followed how they changed over the flow rate. These simulations helped Actaris visualize the flow and understand the sensitivity of the meter.
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