Study of the Steady-State Flow Pattern in a Multipulse Converter by LDA

This paper describes pressure and velocity measurements on a multipulse converter under steady-state conditions. Pressure loss coefficients were measured on this four-entry pulse converter system for a large number of flow configurations. Three-dimensional velocity measurements were done (with Laser-Doppler anemometry) for several flow configurations and at different cross sections in the converter. The normal flow situation (incoming flow at the four entries) and back flow situations were examined. For each cross section the axial velocity profiles, the secondary flow patterns, and the turbulent velocities are presented. From the pressure measurements mixing losses are derived. These are compared with the results of a one-dimensional calculation, which is based on the impulse law for incompressible flow. Taking into account the velocity measurements, this simplified model gives a remarkable agreement with the measured mixing losses.