Numerical Investigation on Optimized
Convergent Divergent Nozzle in 3S
Separator Device
L. Prabhu, N. Kiran Jadediya, P. Gangadhar Venkata Ramana,
and J. Srinivas
Abstract In this work, the optimal parameters required to develop the shock at a
specified location of a convergent-divergent nozzle in the 3S supersonic separator are
obtained using a meta-heuristic algorithm in conjunction with the surrogate model.
Here, the study is carried over the air. Initially, a non-conventional optimization
scheme firefly algorithm is employed to obtain the optimal parameters of convergentdivergent nozzle such as area ratio and operating pressure ratio to develop the normal
shock at a specific location of a nozzle in 3S device. The operating pressure ratio
limit is imposed as a constraint in the problem. The mathematical modelling of a
nozzle is based on the one-dimensional flow governing equations. To reduce the
computational cost, mathematical modelling is replaced by a neural network-based
surrogate model. Then, using the optimal parameters obtained from an optimization
scheme, the nozzle is modelled and simulated in ANSYS Fluent to validate it by
identifying the shock location in the divergent portion of nozzle.
Keywords Supersonic separator · Firefly algorithm · 3S device · Normal shock
wave · Condensation
1 Introduction
The supersonic swirling (3S) separator is a device used to separate the undesirable
components in natural gas. A convergent-divergent (CD) nozzle is used to accelerate
the flow to supersonic speed and to generate normal shockwave. The 3S device shown
in Fig. 1 removes the unwanted materials from the natural gas by reducing the fluid
L. Prabhu (B) · N. Kiran Jadediya · P. Gangadhar Venkata Ramana
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Lakireddy Bali Reddy College of Engineering,
Mylavaram, Andhra Pradesh 521230, India
e-mail: prabhu@lbrce.ac.in
J. Srinivas
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela,
Odisha 769008, India
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
N. Gascoin and E. Balasubramanian (eds.), Innovative Design, Analysis
and Development Practices in Aerospace and Automotive Engineering, Lecture Notes
in Mechanical Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6619-6_10
93
Convergent Divergent Nozzle in 3S
Separator Device
L. Prabhu, N. Kiran Jadediya, P. Gangadhar Venkata Ramana,
and J. Srinivas
Abstract In this work, the optimal parameters required to develop the shock at a
specified location of a convergent-divergent nozzle in the 3S supersonic separator are
obtained using a meta-heuristic algorithm in conjunction with the surrogate model.
Here, the study is carried over the air. Initially, a non-conventional optimization
scheme firefly algorithm is employed to obtain the optimal parameters of convergentdivergent nozzle such as area ratio and operating pressure ratio to develop the normal
shock at a specific location of a nozzle in 3S device. The operating pressure ratio
limit is imposed as a constraint in the problem. The mathematical modelling of a
nozzle is based on the one-dimensional flow governing equations. To reduce the
computational cost, mathematical modelling is replaced by a neural network-based
surrogate model. Then, using the optimal parameters obtained from an optimization
scheme, the nozzle is modelled and simulated in ANSYS Fluent to validate it by
identifying the shock location in the divergent portion of nozzle.
Keywords Supersonic separator · Firefly algorithm · 3S device · Normal shock
wave · Condensation
1 Introduction
The supersonic swirling (3S) separator is a device used to separate the undesirable
components in natural gas. A convergent-divergent (CD) nozzle is used to accelerate
the flow to supersonic speed and to generate normal shockwave. The 3S device shown
in Fig. 1 removes the unwanted materials from the natural gas by reducing the fluid
L. Prabhu (B) · N. Kiran Jadediya · P. Gangadhar Venkata Ramana
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Lakireddy Bali Reddy College of Engineering,
Mylavaram, Andhra Pradesh 521230, India
e-mail: prabhu@lbrce.ac.in
J. Srinivas
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela,
Odisha 769008, India
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
N. Gascoin and E. Balasubramanian (eds.), Innovative Design, Analysis
and Development Practices in Aerospace and Automotive Engineering, Lecture Notes
in Mechanical Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6619-6_10
93