Flow rate improvement on safety fluid transfer couplings for energy sector

该项目的目标是显著提高Smartflow产品范围内较大尺寸的自密封安全联轴器（干断联轴器）的流体流速。这将推动Smartflow成为干断联轴器设计和制造的最前沿，并为这些联轴器开辟了更多潜在的应用领域，这些领域以前因流速降低而无法使用。Smartflow制造一系列工业干断联轴器，用于石油、化工和电力（包括替代燃料）等行业的流体输送应用。根据设计，联轴器有一个内部阀门机构，在连接或断开连接时自动关闭并防止溢出。正是这种阀机构限制了通过联接器的最大流速，并且在某些情况下，排除了用于较大的高容量应用的干断联接器的使用，其中流速是至关重要的。不可能从这种类型的联轴器中移除阀门机构，但通过进一步的创新和优化设计，我们相信可以实现流量的大幅增加。在四个关键领域：1。使用专业的计算机流体动力学（CFD）建模来了解现有联轴器的流量和压力特性以及限制。2.进一步开发计算流体动力学模型，以测试联轴器主体和内部机构的迭代设计变更，以优化通过联轴器的流体流动。3.生产一批优化的联轴器原型。4.原型的物理测试和与现有设计的比较分析。我们的项目合作伙伴是NEL，他们将提供流体回路上联轴器的CFD分析和物理测试。NEL在之前的分析项目中有使用Smartflow联轴器的经验。

The goal of this project is to significantly improve the flow rate of fluid through the larger sized self sealing safety couplings (Dry Break Couplings) within Smartflow's product range. This will propel Smartflow to the forefront of dry break coupling design and manufacture and open up further potential applications for these couplings where reduced flow rate has previously precluded their use.Smartflow manufacture a range of industrial dry break couplings used for fluid transfer applications within sectors such as oil, chemicals, and power including alternative fuels. By design, the couplings have an internal valve mechanism that automatically closes and prevents spillage when making or breaking a connection. It is this valve mechanism that limits the maximum flow rates through the coupling and in some cases precludes the use of a dry break couplings for larger high volume applications where flow rate is paramount.By their very nature, it is impossible to remove the valve mechanism from this type of coupling but with further innovation and optimisation of design we believe that substantive flow rate increases can be achieved.This project will focus on four key areas:1. Using expert Computerised Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modelling to understand the flow and pressure characteristics and constraints of the existing couplings.2. Further development the CFD models to test iterative design changes of both the coupling body and internal mechanisms to optimise the flow of fluid through the coupling.3. Production of a number of optimised prototype couplings.4. Physical testing of the prototypes and comparative analysis to the existing designs.Our partner for the project are NEL who will provide the CFD analysis and the physical testing of the couplings on their flow loop. NEL have experience with Smartflow's couplings from previous analysis projects.