The step-by-step CFD design method of pressure-compensating emitter

In order to improve the design and research and development (R & D) efficiency of the pressure- compensating drip irrigation emitter,a step-by-step computational fluid dynamics (CFD) design method was proposed based on CFD theory combined with the finite element method. By analyzing its hydraulic performance through the step-by-step CFD method,the prediction pressure-flow curve(p-Q curve) of the pressure-compensating emitter was obtained. Then the test samples were fabricated using rapid prototype and manufacturing(RP & M) technology. The emitters' hydraulic performance experiment was carried out and the experimental p-Q curve was obtained. The step-by-step CFD design method was verified by comparing the experimental p-Q curve with the prediction values,which showed that the prediction values met the experimental results well within the normal range of the emitter's working pressure. On this basis,the effect of the emitter structure on its pressure-compensating performance was studied,which showed that the height of the pressure-compensating region had significant effects on the emitter's pressure-compensating performance. Series products of the pressure-compensating emitter could be designed by changing the region's height.