A simple method to predict flow diversion by louvers

A simple method has been developed to predict the flow division at the louver, based on the experimental finding of Shepherd et al. (2007) that the specific energy of the flow through a diversion structure housing a louver system is approximately constant. Flow through louver slot is expressed using a consolidated contraction coefficient to account for the lumped effect of flow contraction between the louver slats and the approximations of the proposed theoretical model (e.g., constant specific energy, flow direction through the louver slots). A relationship is developed for the consolidated coefficient from the simulation of experimental results obtained from Shepherd et al. (2007). It is observed from the simulation results that the consolidated contraction coefficient is best correlated with the relative width of the bypass. Finally, the use of this simple method is demonstrated using a set of numerical experiments within the range of experimental conditions of the louver system.