Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
\
|
I = foam
n
n
|
|
.
|
\
|
+ = I 1 1
min
ij ij
S S S = 5 . 0
=
=
c
c
c
c
=
j i j j
i
j
j i j
j
i
x
u
h
x
u
h
Advanced Knowledge
2-38
The indicator functions for the mass, energy and species conservation laws are defined as
follows:
The mesh cell are split if the following condition is satisfied:
or or or
and the mesh refinement level is less than the current maximum refinement level.
The child mesh cells are merged if all following condition is satisfied for each child cell:
and and and
and if the refinement level difference between the resulting merged mesh cells and their
neighbors will not exceed 1.
All limiting values (c
split
and c
merge
) are determined automatically at each refinement
cycle by using mesh histograms.
The solution-adaptive refinement can dramatically increase the number of cells so that the
available computer resources (physical RAM) will not be enough for running the
calculation. To limit the total number of cells the Approximate Maximum Cells value can
be specified. If the maximum cells number is exceeded, the number of cells will be limited
for the last refinement cycle in such a way that the LTE, increasing at the refinement level
gap surface, is minimized.
For a transient analysis the following three strategies are available:
Periodic refinement;
Tabular Refinement;
Manual Only refinement.
In the first two strategies the refinement moment is known beforehand. The solution
gradients are analyzed over iterations belonging to the Relaxation interval, which is
calculated from the current moment rearwards. As the result, only steady-state gradients
are considered. The default length of the Relaxation interval can be adjusted manually.
On the other hand, the analysis must not continue with the same relaxation interval
defined from the start of the calculation, in order to avoid considering the initial highly
unsteady period. Therefore, a period of at least two relaxation intervals is recommended
before the first refinement. If the first assigned refinement is scheduled in a shorter term
from the beginning, the period over which the gradients are analyzed is shortened
accordingly, so that in an extreme case it can be as short as one current iteration. If you
initiate a refinement manually within this period, the gradients are analyzed in one current
iteration only. Naturally, such a short period gives not very reliable gradients and hence
may result in an inadequate solution or excessive CPU time and memory requirements.
,
1
2
1
2
(
(
|
|
.
|
\
|
c
c
I =
i
i
i
h
x
C
,
1
2
1
2
(
(
|
|
.
|
\
|
c
c
I =
i
i
i
e
h
x
T
T
C
2
1
2
(
(
|
|
.
|
\
|
c
c
I =
i
i
i
y
h
x
y
C
m
split m
C c >
c
split
C >
e
split e
C c >
y
split y
C c >
m
merge m
C c <
c
merge
C <
e
merge e
C c <
y
merge y
C c <
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 2-39
The figure below illustrates this concept. Here, the letter r denotes the relaxation interval.
This figure involves both the Periodic and Tabular refinements. Case 1is the
recommended normal approach. In the Case 2the first refinement is too close to the
starting point of the calculation, so the gradients are analyzed over the shorter interval
(which could even be reduced to just one current iteration in an extreme case). Case 3is a
particular case when the refinement is initiated manually just before a previously assigned
refinement. As the result, the manual refinement is well-defined, since the gradients have
been analyzed over almost the entire relaxation interval, but on the other hand, the
previously assigned refinement is performed on the substantially shorter interval, and
therefore its action can be incorrect. Thus, Case 3demonstrates the possible error of
performing manual and previously assigned refinements concurrently.
Fig.4.1 Refinement strategy.
Collecting of the statistics is prohibited
Monitoring interval where statistics are collected
Refinement
Case 1
Auto ref.
0
0
Ref. point 1 Ref. point 2
Case 2 Case 3
Ref. point 1
r
1
Manual ref.
r
2
r
r
r r
Advanced Knowledge
2-40
5 Flow Freezing
What is Flow Freezing?
Sometimes it is necessary to solve a problem that deals with different processes
developing at substantially different rates. If the difference in rates is substantial (10 times
or higher) then the CPU time required to solve the problem is governed almost exclusively
by the slower process. To reduce the CPU time, a reasonable approach is to stop the
calculation of the fastest process (which is fully developed by that time and does not
change further) and use its results to continue the calculation of the slower processes. Such
an approach is called freezing.
In the case of problems solved with Flow Simulation the processes of convective mass,
momentum, and energy transport are the fastest processes to develop and to converge,
whereas the processes of mass, momentum, and energy transfer by diffusion are the
slowest ones. Accordingly, Flow Simulation offers the Flow Freezing option that allow
you to freeze, or fix, the pressure and velocity field while continuing the calculation of
temperature and composition. This option is especially useful in solving steady-state
problems involving diffusion processes that are important from the users viewpoint, e.g.
species or heat propagation in dead zones of the flow. Time-dependent analyses with
nearly steady-state velocity fields and diffusion processes developing with time are also
examples of this class of problems. As a result, the CPU time for solving such problems
can be substantially reduced by applying the Flow Freezing option.
Flow Simulation treats Flow Freezing for the High Mach number flows differently. All
flow parameters are frozen, but the temperature of the solid is calculated using these fixed
parameters at the outer of the boundary layer and user defined time step. Temperature
change on the solid's surface and relevant variation of the heat flows are accounted in the
boundary layer only. It is impossible (and makes no sense) to use Flow Freezing for
calculation of concentration propagation in the High Mach number flow. If custom time
step is not specified, the steady-state temperature of solid will be reached in one time step
assumed to be infinite.
How It Works
To access the Flow Freezing option, open the Calculation Control Options dialog box,
then the Advanced tab. This option has three modes: Disabled (by default), Periodic, and
Permanent.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 2-41
Flow Freezing in a Permanent Mode
As an example of applying the Flow Freezing option, let us consider a plane flow (2D)
problem of heating the vortex core in a vessel (Fig.5.1).
At the beginning the entire fluid region is filled with a cold (T=300 K) liquid. A hot
(T=400K) liquid enters the vessel through the lower channel (the upper channel is the
exit). As a result, a vortex with a cold core is developed in the vessel. The vortex core
temperature is changed mainly due to heat diffusion. To measure it, a small body is placed
at the vortex center and disabled in the Component Control dialog box, so that it is treated
by Flow Simulation as a fluid region. Its minimum temperature (i.e., the minimum fluid
temperature in this region) is the Volume Goal of the calculation.
First of all, let us consider Flow Freezing operating in the Permanent mode. The only
user-specified parameter in Permanent mode is the starting moment of enabling the Flow
Freezing option. Until this moment the calculation runs in a usual manner. After this
moment the fluid velocity field becomes frozen, i.e., it is no longer calculated, but is taken
from the last iteration performed just before the Flow Freezing Start moment. For the
remainder of the run only the equations terms concerning heat conduction and diffusion
are calculated. As a result, the CPU time required per iteration is reduced.
The starting moment of the Flow Freezing option should be set not too early in order to let
the flow field to fully develop. As a rule, an initial period of not less than 0.25 travels is
required to satisfy this condition. In most problems the 0.5 travel initial period is
sufficient, but there are problems that require a longer initial period.
The Flow Freezing Start moment, as well as other parameters of the
Calculation Control Options dialog box can be changed during a
calculation.
Fig.5.1 Heating the vortex core in a vessel.
Advanced Knowledge
2-42
When first solving the problem under consideration we set the maximum number of
travels to 10. The calculation performed without applying the Flow Freezing option then
required about 10 travels to reach the convergence of the project Goal (the steady-state
minimum fluid temperature in the vortex core). However, the steady-state fluid velocity
field was reached in about 0.5 travels, i.e., substantially earlier. So, by applying the Flow
Freezing option in the Permanent mode (just after 0.5 travels) the same calculation
requires substantially less time on the same computer to reach the convergence of the
project Goal.
If it is necessary to perform several calculations with the same fluid velocity field, but
different temperatures and/or species concentrations, it is expedient to first calculate this
fluid velocity field without applying the Flow Freezing option. Then, clone the Flow
Simulation project into several projects (including copying the calculation results), make
the required changes to these projects, and perform the remaining calculations for these
projects using the calculated results as initial conditions and applying the Flow Freezing
option in the Permanent mode with a zero Start period.
Flow Freezing in a Periodic Mode
In some problems the flow field depends on temperature (or species concentrations), so
both the velocity and the temperature (concentrations) change simultaneously throughout
the calculation. Nevertheless, since they change in a different manner, i.e., the velocity
field changes faster than the temperature (concentrations) field, therefore approaching its
steady state solution earlier, the Flow Freezing option can be used in a Periodic mode to
reduce the CPU time required for solving such problems. The Periodic mode of the Flow
Freezing option consists of calculating the velocity field not in each of the iterations (time
steps), but periodically for a number of iterations specified in No freezing (iterations)
after a period of freezing specified in the Freezing (iterations) (see Fig.5.2) The
As soon as the Flow Freezing option is invoked, only the slowest
processes are calculated. As a result, the convergence and finishing
criteria can become non-optimal. Therefore, to avoid obtaining
incorrect results when enabling the Flow Freezing option, it is
recommended to increase the maximum number of travels specified
at the Finish tab of the Calculation Control Options dialog box by
1.55 times compared to the number that was set automatically or
required for the calculation performed without the Flow Freezing
option.
If you forget to use the calculated results as initial conditions, then
the saved fluid velocity field will be lost in the cloned project, so the
project must be created again. To use the calculated results as initial
conditions for the current project, select the Transferred type of
Parameter definition for the initial conditions in the General Settings
dialog box.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 2-43
temperatures and concentrations are calculated in each iteration. Examples include
channel flows with specified mass flow rates and pressures, so the fluid density and,
therefore, velocity depend on the fluid temperature, or flows involving free convection,
where due to the buoyancy the hot fluid rises, so the velocity field depends on the fluid
temperature.
As an example, let us consider a 3D external problem of an air jet outflow from a body
face into still air (see Fig.5.3, in which the jet outflow face is marked by a red line). Here,
the wire frame is the computational domain. The other body seen in this figure is
introduced and disabled in the Component Control dialog box (so it is a fluid region) in
order to see the air temperature averaged over its face (the project Goal), depending on the
air temperature specified at the jet outflow face.
This problem is solved in several stages. At the first stage, the calculation is performed for
the cold (T = 300 K, which is equal to the environment temperature) air jet. Then we clone
the project including copying the results. Next, we set the outlet air temperature to T = 400
K, specify the Periodic mode of the Flow Freezing option by its Start moment of 0.25
travels (in order for the heat to have time to propagate along the jet to the measuring face)
and under Duration specify 10 as both the Freezing (iterations) and No freezing
(iterations) values. Then perform the calculation on the same computational mesh with
the Take previous results option in the Run box. As a result, the calculation with flow
freezing takes less CPU time than the similar calculation without the Flow Freezing option
enabled.
Fig.5.2
Start
Freezing
Iterations
No Freezing
Fig.5.3 Air jet outflow from a body face into a still air.
Advanced Knowledge
2-44
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-1
3
Advanced Features Guide
This chapter gives an overview of the advanced physical simulation features available in
Flow Simulation such as Cavitation, Steam, Humidity and Real Gases. The provided
information includes a general description of the feature, the assumptions and limitations
of the employed physical model, a full description of all interface options and settings you
need to set to include the feature into the analysis, and some examples of the features
application for solving engineering problems.
1 Cavitation
Cavitation is a common problem for many engineering devices in which the fluid is in
liquid state. The deleterious effects of cavitation include: lowered performance, load
asymmetry, erosion and pitting of blade surfaces, vibration and noise, and reduction of the
overall machine life. However, cavitation is also used in some industrial processes, such
as the fuel spray formation in diesel and gasoline engines.
The following models of cavitation are available in Flow Simulation:
Engineering cavitation model (for pre-defined water only):
This model employs a homogeneous equilibrium approach and is available for
pre-defined water only. It has the capability to account for the thermal effects.
Isothermal cavitation model:
This model is based on the approach considering isothermal two-phase flows. Fluid
density is defined by the barotropic equation of state. The isothermal cavitation
model is only available for user-defined incompressible liquids.
Advanced Features Guide
3-2
Physical model
Engineering Cavitation Model
The homogeneous equilibrium approach is employed. It is applicable for a variety of
important industrial processes.
The fluid is assumed to be a homogeneous gas-liquid mixture with the gaseous phase
consisting of the vapour and non-condensable (dissolved) gas. The vapour mass fraction is
defined at the local equilibrium thermodynamic conditions. The dissolved gas mass
fraction is a constant, which can be modified by user.
The model has the following limitations and/or assumptions:
The properties of the dissolved non-condensable gas are set to be equal to those of
air. By default, the mass fraction of the dissolved non-condensable gas is set to 10
-4
,
but it can be modified by the user in the range of 10
-3
...10
-5
.
The temperature and pressure ranges in the cavitation area must be within the
following bounds:
280 < T < 583.15 K, 800 < P < 10
7
Pa.
The velocities and temperatures of the gaseous (including vapour and
non-condensable gas) and liquid phases are assumed to be the same.
The model does not describe the detailed structure of the cavitation area, i.e
parameters of individual vapour bubbles are not considered.
For mixtures of different liquids the cavitation option cannot be selected.
The volume fraction of vapour is limited by 0.95. The parameters of the flow at the
inlet boundary conditions must satisfy this requirement.
Isothermal Cavitation Model
This model provides a capability to analyze two-phase flows of industrial liquids which
thermophysical properties are not described in details.
In the isothermal cavitation model the following assumptions are made:
The fluid temperature is constant and the thermal effects are not considered.
The fluid density is defined by the barotropic equation of state.
The liquid phase is an incompressible fluid.
When liquid turns into vapour completely the vapour and non-condensable gas
density is defined by the ideal gas law.
The fluid contains non-condensable (dissolved) gas. One of the four gases can be
used as dissolved gas: Air, Carbon dioxide, Helium and Methane. By default, the
non-condensable gas is Air and the mass fraction is set to 10
-4
. This is a typical
model value appropriated in most cases but it can be modified by the user in the
range of 10
-2
...10
-6
.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-3
Interface
Isothermal cavitation model can be employed for any user-defined incompressible Liquid
in the Engineering Database by selecting the Cavitation effect check box and specifying
the Molar mass of the liquid and the Saturation pressure at the specific Temperature.
Engineering cavitation model becomes available when you select pre-defined Water as the
projects Default fluid.
Cavitation option in Flow Simulation is
switched on by selecting the Cavitation
check box under Flow Characteristic
either in the Default Fluid dialog of the
Wizard or the Fluids dialog of General
Settings.
Advanced Features Guide
3-4
For a fluid subdomain the Cavitation option is switched on under Flow
Characteristic of the Fluid Subdomain dialog.
Once enabled, the Cavitation option requires you to specify the
Dissolved gas mass fraction.
For the pre-defined water the default value of this parameter is 10
-4
.
This value is typical for air dissolved in water under normal conditions
and therefore is appropriate for most cases. For a user-defined liquid
the default Dissolved gas is Air and the default value of the
Dissolved gas mass fraction is 10
-4
. This is a typical value under
normal conditions and appropriate in most cases.
If needed, for the pre-defined water you can specify a different value of
the Dissolved gas mass fraction in the range of 10
-3
...10
-5
and for a
user-defined liquid in the range of 10
-2
...10
-6
for each gas which can be selected as the
dissolved gas: Air, Carbon dioxide, Helium or Methane.
Cavitation is represented in the calculation results via the following
parameters: Mass Fraction of Vapour and Volume Fraction of
Vapour, which corresponds to the local mass or volume fraction of the
vapour component. Make sure that those parameters are enabled in the
Parameter list to make them available for selection in the View
Settings dialog.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-5
Examples of use
Rotating impeller
Water flows through a rotating impeller with five blades of a curved shape, as shown on
the picture. The aim of simulation is to predict the impeller characteristics.
Due to the pressure drop on the suction side of the impeller blades, a cavitation may
develop in these areas, which cannot but affect the impeller performance.
The appearance of the calculated cavitation area in the form of isosurfaces is shown below
on Fig.1.1.
Hydrofoil in a tunnel
A symmetric hydrofoil is placed with a non-zero
angle of attack in a sufficiently wide water-filled
tunnel. Obviously, water flow develops some
pressure drop on the upper surface of the hydrofoil,
which can lead to cavitation under certain
conditions.
Fig.1.2 contains a representation of the calculated
cavitation area visualized in terms of Volume
Fraction of Vapour.
Fig.1.1 Isosurfaces for vapour volume fraction of 10%.
Fig.1.2 Calculated cavitation area.
Advanced Features Guide
3-6
Ball valve
Water flows inside an half-opened ball valve (see Fig.1.3) at the relatively low pressure
and high velocity producing cavitation.
The results visualized in the form of Cut plot with Volume Fraction of Vapour as displayed
parameter are presented on Fig.1.4. It is clearly seen that sudden expansion of the flow
produces an area of strong cavitation.
Fig.1.3 Model of the ball valve.
Fig.1.4 Distribution of the vapour volume fraction.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-7
Throttle flow
Diesel fuel flows through a throttle (see Fig.1.5) under a relatively high difference
between the injection pressure and back pressure.
When a high velocity fluid passes through a contraction like a nozzle, an area of low
pressure is formed in the wake of its edge. In this wake the pressure can decrease below
the saturation pressure, and thus cause the liquid to cavitate.
The results visualized in the form of Cut plot with Volume Fraction of Vapour as displayed
parameter are presented on Fig.1.6. The red color indicates the region of high vapor
fraction.
Fig.1.5 Model of the throttle.
Nozzle wall
Fig.1.6 Distribution of the vapour volume fraction.
Advanced Features Guide
3-8
Recommendations
If you analyze a flow of water in some points of which the local static pressure can
reach the saturation pressure at the local temperature causing cavitation or if a
vaporization of water can occur in the water flow due to intense heating, it is
recommended to use the Engineering cavitation model.
Cavitation area growths slowly during calculation and there is a risk that the
calculation will stop before the cavitation area develops completely. To avoid this,
specify Global Goal of Average Density and increase the Analysis interval on the
Finish tab of the Calculation Control Options dialog box. Also make sure that the
other finish conditions do not cause the calculation to stop before goals are
converged. The easiest way to ensure this is to select If all are satisfied in the Value
cell for the Finish conditions on the Finish tab of the Calculation Control Options
dialog box.
The Cavitation option is not applicable if you calculate a flow in the model without
flow openings (inlet and outlet).
The fluid region where cavitation occurs must be well resolved by the
computational mesh.
Besides the Volume Fraction of Vapour you can also select Density as the
visualization parameter to see the cavitation areas in your simulation.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-9
2 Steam
Physical model
Flow Simulation allows you to consider water steam among the project fluids. Like
Humidity, the Steam option may be used to analyze engineering problems concerning
water vapour and its volume condensation, along with the corresponding changes in the
physical properties of the project fluid. Steam option in Flow Simulation describes the
behavior of pure water steam or its mixtures with other gases.
Limitations and Assumptions
The model has the following limitations and/or assumptions:
Flow Simulation project may include pure Steam or its mixture with Gases (but not
with Real gases).
Thermodynamic parameters of steam should be contained within the following
bounds:
200.15 < T < 610 K, P < 10
7
Pa.
The volume fraction of condensed water should never exceed 5%.
Steam option is incompatible with the High Mach number flow option, i.e. the two
can not be employed simultaneously.
The employed model of condensation is fully equilibrium and considers only
volume condensation.
Interface
Steam is treated by Flow Simulation as a
special kind of fluid and may be selected
from the Engineering Database just like
any other fluid.
Steam may be assigned for a fluid
subdomain as well as for the whole project.
Steam may be mixed with any regular
Gases (but not with Real gases). In this case, its concentration in a form
of mass or volume fraction must be specified in Initial conditions, as
well as in all boundary conditions.
Advanced Features Guide
3-10
Steam content in the mixtures of water steam with other gases is
represented in the calculation results via Mass Fraction of Water
(that represent mass fraction of water wapour) and Relative Humidity
(which is the ratio of the local partial density of water to the density of
saturated water vapor under current conditions). The content of
particular form of water, i.e. vapor or liquid, is represented via Mass
Fraction of Condensate (that represents mass fraction of condensed
steam in the fluid) and Moisture Content (that represents the fraction of condensed steam
with respect to the overall content of steam). Note that you may need to check some of
those parameters in the Parameter list to enable their selection in the View Settings
window.
Example of use
Heat exchanger
Flow Simulation calculates the equilibrium condensation in water steam as steam flows
through a cooled tube of a heat exchanger. Fig.2.1 shows cut plot of the condensate mass
fraction parameter.
Recommendations
To avoid the risk of finishing the calculation before the condensation develops
completely, always specify some goal strongly dependent on condensation, for
example Global Goal of Average Density, and make sure that the calculation will
not stop before this goal is converged.
To see the condensation areas, you may use Relative Humidity or the Condensate
Mass Fraction as the parameter for visualization.
Fig.2.1 Cut plot showing the condensate mass fraction.
Inlet
Outlet
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-11
3 Humidity
Physical model
Flow Simulation allows you to consider the relative humidity of the gas or mixture of
gases. This allows you to analyze engineering problems where the condensation of water
vapor contained in the air (or other gas), or, more generally speaking, where any
differences in physical properties of wet and dry air play an important role. Examples may
include air conditioning systems (especially in wet climate or in the places where relative
humidity is very important, e.g. libraries, art museums, etc.), tank steamers, steam turbines
and other kinds of industrial equipment. Flow Simulation can calculate equilibrium
volume (but not surface) condensation of steam into water. As a result, the local fractions
of gaseous and condensed steam are determined. In addition, the corresponding changes
of the fluid temperature, density, enthalpy, specific heat, and sonic velocity are determined
and taken into account.
Limitations and Assumptions
The model has the following limitations and/or assumptions:
Humidity is currently available only in Gases (both in individual gases and in
mixtures), but not in Real gases.
Thermodynamic parameters in the fluid areas where humidity is considered should
be contained within the following bounds:
200.15 < T < 610 K, P < 10
7
Pa.
The volume fraction of condensed water should never exceed 5%.
Humidity option is incompatible with the High Mach number flow option, i.e. the
two can not be employed simultaneously.
The model does not describe the condensation process in as subtle detail as the
parameters of individual liquid droplets.
Surface condensation, i.e. the formation of dew on solid surfaces, is not considered.
The condensed steam has no history, since the employed condensation model is
fully equilibrium. In other words, the state of condensed steam at given point is
governed solely by the local conditions at this point.
Advanced Features Guide
3-12
Interface
Humidity option in Flow Simulation is
switched on by checking the Humidity
check box either in Wizard or in the
General Settings window. This check box
is present only if the current fluid type is
set to Gases.
Once Humidity is switched on, the relative
humidity of the gas becomes available to
specify in the Initial conditions window.
The relative humidity is defined as the
ratio of the current water vapor density to
that of saturated water vapor under current
conditions.
Humidity can be assigned for a fluid subdomain as well as for the
whole project by selecting the check box of the same name, and, once
assigned, becomes available to specify in the Humidity Parameters
group box.
The relative humidity must be specified within all boundary and initial
conditions in contact with the fluid region for which the calculation of
relative humidity is performed.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-13
Together with the humidity value for boundary and initial
conditions you must also specify the values of Humidity
reference pressure and Humidity reference
temperature that describe the conditions under which the
relative humidity has been determined, since these values
may differ from the current pressure and temperature.
Humidity is represented in the calculation results via the
following parameters: Mass Fraction of Water (that represent mass
fraction of water wapour) and Relative Humidity (which is the ratio
of the local partial density of water to the density of saturated water
vapor under current conditions). The content of particular form of
water, i.e. vapor or liquid, is represented via Mass Fraction of
Condensate (that represents mass fraction of water condensate in the
fluid) and Moisture Content (that represents the fraction of condensed water with respect
to the overall content of water). Note that you may need to check some of those
parameters in the Parameter list to enable their selection in the View Settings window.
Heat
Boundary
condition
Advanced Features Guide
3-14
Example of use
Aircraft
An air flow around an aircraft model can be simulated with the Humidity option selected.
The examination of relative humidity distribution (Fig.3.1) reveals broad areas of more
than 80% relative humidity from above of both wings. Naturally, these areas (together
with smaller zones near the cockpit and the tail unit) are enriched with water condensate,
as it may be seen on Fig.3.2.
Recommendations
If your analyze a flow of gas containing some amount of water vapor and the
conditions are likely to get over the dew point, it is recommended to consider
humidity in the calculation as described in this chapter.
To avoid the risk of finishing the calculation before the condensation develops
completely, always specify some goal strongly dependent on condensation, for
example Global Goal of Average Density, and make sure that the calculation will
not stop before this goal is converged.
To see the condensation areas, you may use Relative Humidity or the Condensate
Mass Fraction as the parameter for visualization.
Fig.3.2 Isosurfaces of condensate mass
fraction = 0.00015
Fig.3.1 Flow trajectories colored in
accordance with relative humidity.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-15
4 Real Gases
Physical model
Flow Simulation has an ability to consider real gases. A wide choice of predefined real
gases is presented. The user may also create user-defined real gases by specifying their
parameters. This option may be useful in the engineering problems concerning gases at
nearly-condensation temperatures and/or at nearly-critical and supercritical pressures, i.e.
at conditions where the behavior of the gas can no longer be represented adequately by the
ideal-gas state equation.
The model of real gas implemented in Flow Simulation employs a custom modification of
the Redlich-Kwong state equation. Naturally, the equation unavoidably has certain bounds
of applicability, which are explained on the picture below:
The area of validity of the model includes zones 10, 11 and 12. (Each predefined real gas
has its own values of P
min
, P
max
, T
min
, and T
max
, and those are also to be specified for a
user-defined real gas.) If the calculated pressure and/or temperature fall outside of this
area, Flow Simulation issues a warning. The warning for zones 1 - 8 is: Real gas
parameters (pressure and/or temperature) are outside the definitional domain of
substance properties, with comment: P < P
min
, P > P
max
, T < T
min
, or T > T
max
,
depending on what has actually happen. The warning for zone 9 is: Phase transition in
the Real gas may occur.
Supercritical
Vapor
Liquid
Advanced Features Guide
3-16
Limitations and Assumptions
The model has the following limitations and/or assumptions:
Real gas may be used in a Flow Simulation project as pure fluid or in mixture with
Gases (but not with other Real gases).
Pressure and temperature of real gas should be contained within certain limits (those
are specified individually for each of the predefined real gases).
Real gas should not be put under conditions that cause its condensation into liquid.
The use of real gas is incompatible with the High Mach number flow option.
The precision of calculation of thermodynamic properties at nearly-critical
temperatures and supercritical pressures may be lowered to some extent in
comparison to other parameter ranges. The calculations involving user-defined real
gases at supercritical pressures are not recommended.
The copying of pre-defined real gases to user-defined folder is impossible since the
employed models are not exactly similar.
Interface
Real gases are a special type of fluids and
may be selected from the Engineering
Database along with other fluids.
Real gas may be assigned for a fluid
subdomain as well as for the whole project.
Real gases may be mixed with regular
Gases (though not with each other). In this case, substance
concentrations in a form of mass or volume fractions must be specified
in Initial conditions, as well as in all boundary conditions.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-17
To create a user-defined real gas,
the user must create a new item
in the corresponding folder in the
Engineering Database and
specify the following parameters:
Molar mass;
Critical pressurep
c
;
Critical temperatureT
c
;
Critical compressibility factor Z
c
;
Redlich-Kwong equation type that should be used, i.e. the
original one or its modifications by Wilson, Barnes-King, or
Soave;
Acentric factor e (if applicable);
Minimumtemperature, i.e. the lower margin of validity of the model;
Maximumtemperature, i.e. the corresponding upper margin;
Order of ideal gas heat capacity polynomial, i.e. the order of polynomial function
of temperature that defines the "ideal-gas" constituent of the real gas specific heat at
constant pressure;
Coefficients of ideal gas heat capacity polynomial, i.e. the coefficients of the
aforementioned polynomial;
Polarity (check if the gas in question has polar molecules);
Vapor viscosity dependence on temperature, i.e. the coefficients a and n in the
equation describing vapor viscosity as q = aT
n
;
Vapor thermal conductivity
dependence on temperature, which
includes the coefficients a and n and the
choice of dependency type between linear = a+nT and power-law = aT
n
forms;
Liquid viscosity dependence on temperature, which includes the coefficients a
and n and the choice of dependency type between power-law q = aT
n
and
exponential q = 10
a(1/T-1/n)
forms;
Advanced Features Guide
3-18
Liquid thermal conductivity dependence on temperature, which includes the
coefficients a and n and the choice of dependency type between linear = a+nT
and power-law = aT
n
forms;
The coefficients of the user-specified dependencies for thermophysical properties should
be entered only in SI unit system, except those for the exponential form of dynamic
viscosity of the liquid, which should be taken exclusively from Ref. 1.
Note that the foregoing dependencies for the specific heat and transport properties cover
only the ideal-gas constituents of the corresponding properties, i.e. their values at
low-pressure limit, and the actual formulae contain pressure-dependent corrections which
are calculated automatically.
The post-processor display parameters concerning real gas
includes its mass and volume fractions in a mixture (if it is
not a sole component of the fluid) and the Real Gas State.
The latter parameter represents the local phase state of real
gas, which may be Vapor, Liquid, Supercritical, or Out of
range. Once selected, it renders inaccessible the Palette and
Min/Max settings within the Color Bar dialog and replaces
the Color bar with the schematic phase diagram that
provides an explanation of meaning of particular colors, as
shown on the picture.
Example of use
J oule-Thomson effect
A flow of nitrogen through a tube containing narrow restriction is simulated. To reduce
computation time, the tube was split in halves by a symmetry plane and Symmetry
condition was applied to the corresponding boundary of the Computational Domain.
The calculation within ideal gas approximation, i.e. with nitrogen selected from Gases as
the project fluid, results in the temperature distribution shown on Fig.4.1. It is clearly seen
that the temperature of the gas, after undergoing a noticeable drop while passing through
the hole, later reinstates its initial value. This is an expected behavior of an ideal gas, as its
enthalpy does not depend on pressure.
Fig.4.1 Field of temperatures for a flow of ideal gas.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-19
The calculation was repeated with fluid changed to nitrogen selected from Real Gases and
all other conditions similar. Now the gas temperature at outlet is different from that at inlet
(see Fig.4.2).
Hence we may conclude that the real gas reveals a nonzero Joule-Thomson effect, as
expected.
Recommendations
Minimum temperature for user-defined real gas should be set at least 5...10 K higher
than the triple point of the actual substance.
Maximum temperature for user-defined real gas should be set so as to keep away
from the area of dissociation of the gas.
The user-specified dependencies for the specific heat and transport properties of the
user-defined real gases should be valid in the whole temperature range from T
min
to
T
max
(or, as for liquid, in the whole temperature range where the liquid exists).
References
1 R.C. Reid, J.M. Prausnitz, B.E. Poling. The properties of gases and liquids, 4th edition,
McGraw-Hill Inc., NY, USA, 1987.
Fig.4.2 Field of temperatures for a flow of real gas.
Advanced Features Guide
3-20
5 Rotation
Physical model
Flow Simulation is capable of simulating rotation of model parts and components with the
rotating reference frame approach. Depending on the model geometry, you can choose one
of the following two options to simulate your rotating equipment:
Global rotating reference frame. With this option the model and the global
coordinate system are considered rotating with specified angular velocity. Global
rotating reference frame is applicable when all non-rotating model components are
axisymmetrical with respect to the selected rotation axis.
Local regions of rotation. This option allows to specify multiple local rotating
coordinate systems within the model. All model parts and components within the
local rotating regions are considered rotating by default. With this option you can
simulate rotation of specific model components and non-rotating model components
outside rotating regions are not required to be axisymmetrical .
The rotating reference frame approach has the following prerequisites that must be
satisfied in order to apply it successfully and obtain reliable results:
the supposed inlet flow field at the rotating refrence frame boundaries must be
axisymmetrical with respect to the rotation axis,
the supposed outlet flow field at the rotating refrence frame boundaries must be as
close to axisymmetrical with respect to the rotation axis as possible.
Please note that even in case of time-dependent (transient) analysis the flow parameters
within a rotating referrence frame are calculated using a steady-state approach and
averaged at the rotating refrence frame boundaries.
If you consider gravitational effects in your analysis, the rotation axis must be parallel to
the gravity vector.
You can specify some model components within a global rotating
reference frame or local rotating region as non-rotating by applying the
Stator wall Boundary Condition to the components surfaces. All
non-rotating components within a rotating reference frame must be
axisymmetrical with respect to the selected rotation axis.
The rotating reference frame boundaries are the computational domain
outer boundaries for the Global rotating option and the rotating region
outer surface for Local regions option.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-21
Local Rotating Regions - Additional Information
In accordance with the employed approach, each rotating solid component is surrounded
by an axisymmetrical Rotating region, which has its own coordinate system rotating
together with the component. To connect solutions obtained within the rotating region and
in non-rotating part of the computational domain, special internal boundary conditions are
set automatically at the fluid boundaries of the rotating region. The rotating regions
boundaries are sliced into rings of equal width as shown on the Fig.5.1. Then the values of
flow parameters transferred as boundary conditions from the adjacent fluid regions are
averaged circumferentially over each of these rings.
Please note that even in the case of time-dependent (transient) analysis the flow
parameters within the rotating regions are calculated using a steady-state approach and
averaged on the rotating regions' boundaries as described above.
The rotating region option is not applicable for high Mach number flows.
A rotating region is defined by adding an auxiliary component representing the rotating
region to the model and specifying the angular velocity. A component defining a rotating
region must meet the following requirements:
the rotating component must be fully enclosed by it and the rotating component
walls must not contact or intersect the rotating region boundaries,
it must be axisymmetrical (with respect to the rotating component's rotation axis),
its intersections with other fluid and solid regions must be axisymmetrical too,
the components defining different rotating regions must not intersect.
Computational domain or fluid subdomain
Flow parameters are calculated in the inertial Global Coordinate System
Rotation axis
Flow parameters are
averaged over these rings
Local rotating region
Flow parameters are calculated
in the local rotating coordinate
system
Fig.5.1 Slicing of rotating region boundaries into rings.
Advanced Features Guide
3-22
Interface
The rotation type is specified in the
Analysis Type dialog box of the Wizard
or General Settings by selecting the
Global rotating or Local region(s)
option.
Global Rotating Reference Frame
For Global rotating reference frame
specify Rotation axis and Angular
velocity. These settings are applied to the
entire computational domain.
To select the rotation axis for the Global
rotating reference frame, click and in the Rotation
Axis dialog box specify either a reference axis or axis of
the reference coordinate system.
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-23
Local Rotating Regions
In the Rotating Region dialog available under Flow
Simulation, Insert, Rotating Region, you select the model
component representing the volume, in which the local rotating
reference frame is applied, and specify Angular velocity.
During the definition of rotating region
in the graphics area you can see the
green arrows denoting the rotation axis
and direction, and the direction of the
angular velocity vector considered as
positive.
The following parameters, available in the results processing tools, are useful for
analyzing the results of a calculation involving rotation:
Axial velocity (m/s) is the fluid velocity component along the rotating coordinate
systems rotation axis, it can be determined both in the rotating coordinate system
and in the absolute (i.e. non-rotating) one.
Circumferential velocity (m/s) is the fluid velocity component along the rotating
coordinate systems peripheral velocity vector relative to the Z axis of the selected
absolute (i.e. non-rotating) coordinate system.
Circumferential velocity RRF (m/s) is the fluid velocity component along the
peripheral velocity vector relative to the Z axis of the selected rotating coordinate
system. Note that if rotation is considered in the project in the form of local rotating
regions (i.e. not as the global rotating reference frame), the values of this parameter
outside the rotating regions are determined in the absolute (i.e. non-rotating)
coordinate system.
Peripheral velocity (m/s) is the circumferential speed of the rotating coordinate
systems rotation: r, where is the angular velocity at which the rotating
Advanced Features Guide
3-24
coordinate system rotates and r is the radius of the point under consideration in the
cylindrical coordinate system corresponding to the rotating coordinate system.
Velocity RRF (m/s) is the fluid velocity vector and/or its absolute value in the
rotating coordinate system. Note that if rotation is considered in the project in the
form of local rotating regions (i.e. not as the global rotating reference frame), the
values of this parameter outside the rotating regions are determined in the absolute
(i.e. non-rotating) coordinate system.
Note that you may need to Enable some of those parameters in the Parameter list to make
them available for selection in the View Settings dialog.
Examples of Use
Rotating impeller
Flow through the rotating impeller of a centrifugal pump (Fig.5.2) can be simulated with
the Global rotating refrence frame option since all non-rotating components of the pump
are axisymmetrical with respect to the rotation axis. The static pressure distribution in the
impeller flow passage midsection is shown on Fig.5.3.
Fig.5.2 Problem statement Fig.5.3 The static pressure distribution
in the impeller flow passage midsection
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-25
Axial fan
An air flow in an axial fan can be simulated with the Local rotating regions option
(Fig.5.4). The rotating region encloses the fan and has a relatively simple shape.
The pressure and velocity vectors distributions are shown on Fig.5.5.
CPU cooler in external flow
An air flow around a CPU cooler is simulated with the Local rotating regions option. The
external air flow from the chassis fan disturbs the flow over the CPU cooler. The resulting
flow field at the boundaries of the rotating region enclosing the cooler fan is not
axisymmetrical. However, this disturbance does not influence the CPU cooler
performance much, and we can use the Local rotating region to simulate the rotation of
the CPU cooler fan. The temperature and velocity vectors distributions are shown on
Fig.5.6.
Fig.5.4 Problem statement
Fig.5.5 Pressure and velocity vectors
distribution
Fig.5.6 Temperature and velocity vectors distributions.
Advanced Features Guide
3-26
Centrifugal pump
A water flow in a centrifugal pump can be simulated with the Local rotating region option
(Fig.5.7). The centrifugal pump uses a rotating impeller to increase the pressure of the
fluid to move the fluid through a piping system. The fluid enters the pump impeller near
the rotation axis and is accelerated by the impeller, flowing radially outward into the
volute chamber, from where it exits into the piping system downstream. The flow field at
the boundaries of the rotating region enclosing the impeller is not completely
axisymmetrical, but these deviations from axial symmetry are relatively small and do not
influence the pump characteristics much.
The pressure and velocity vectors distributions are shown on Fig.5.8.
Recommendations
Choose such shape of the rotating region, that the flow direction will be as much
perpendicular to the rotating region boundary as possible.
Local rotating region can be used to simulate rotation of a part or component even
if the flow field at the local rotating region boundaries is not axisymmetrical, but
you must consider how it can affect the device performance. If you solve a problem
in which the flow symmetry directly influence the device characteristics, change the
shape or position of the rotating region or make some other modifications, if
possible, to ensure that the flow at the rotating region boundaries is axysimmetrical.
Adjust the mesh settings to have at least 2 or 3 cells across the gaps between the
rotating region boundary and the surface of the rotating component within the
region.
If the rotating model component is a body of revolution, use the Moving Wall
boundary condition instead of a rotating reference frame to simulate rotation of such
component.
Fig.5.8 Pressure and velocity vectors
distribution
Fig.5.7 Problem statement
Solving Engineering Problems with Flow Simulation 2013 3-27
You can place rotating region boundary
within a solid body instead of putting it into
a narrow gap between the rotating
component and non- rotating model
geometry. This will allow you to reduce
possible negative influence of the flow
disturbances within the narrow gap on the
calculation results.
Advanced Features Guide
3-28