Nonlinear hydrodynamic characteristics in boiler's dividing header

Based on the analytical studies of experimental data, the friction coefficients in the dividing header could be expressed by those in the smooth header through a corrective factor. The momentum exchange coefficients were formulated for the velocity function. Then a nonlinear mathematical model describing the flow behavior in the dividing flow header was introduced in terms of a momentum balance. Analytical solutions of the governing equation were obtained with the varying friction and momentum exchange coefficients and were compared with the experimental results. The present solutions agreed well with the experimental results and physical phenomena than the previous ones of constant coefficients. The constant coefficient solutions are a special case of the variable coefficients solutions. The dimensionless parameters affecting flow distribution were also identified and discussed.