A 3D numerical model for the performance analysis of a differential pressure flow meter in transient conditions for liquid fuels

In the present paper, the metrological performance of a single-hole, sharped edge, and the orifice flow meter is numerically investigated employing different liquid fuels. Numerical investigations have been performed for a three-dimensional transient flow. Turbulence has been modeled employing the Realizable K-ε turbulence model, based on the Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS). The present work is conducted in the context of the European SAFEST 20IND13 project, aimed at investigating the performance of the orifice flow meter numerical model in a wide range of temperatures, density, viscosity, and different liquid fuels. The numerical model, validated according to the ISO standard 5167-2 is employed to analyze the metrological performance of a test rig available at project partners’ laboratories and was aimed at reproducing the fuel consumption curve of a light and heavy transport vehicle.