Pressure Drop and Velocity Simulations in Non-Stochastic Structures - Filters Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing

This research utilises additive manufacturing technology to fabricate filter mesh designed with non-stochastic lattice structures. Disc filters with 1-layer, 2-layer and 3-layer thicknesses of repeated 1.8 mm lattice unit cell as the filter mesh are modelled in SolidWorks. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulation using ANSYS CFX is performed at eight different flow rates (250-390 lit/min) and the results (pressure drop and velocity) are analysed. Simulations are also done for perforated plates with circular-shaped and square-shaped holes with the same aperture size and filter cut point for benchmarking purposes. The outcomes indicate that the pressure drop of the lattice filters is noticeably lower than the perforated plates. These findings show that several layers of lattice structure could be stacked together as filter mesh to increase filtration efficiency with minimal pressure drop and to create a more tortuous path for the fluid.