Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.

2a

Swirl Flow Around a Rotating Disk

Introduction
This example models a rotating disk in a tank. The model geometry is shown in Figure 1. Because the geometry is rotationally symmetric, it is possible to model it as a 2D cross section. However, the velocities in the angular direction differ from zero, so the model must include all three velocity components, even though the geometry is in 2D.

Figure 1: The original 3D geometry can be reduced to 2D because the geometry is rotationally symmetric.

Model Definition
DOMAIN EQUATIONS

The flow is described by the Navier-Stokes equations: u T + ( u )u = [ pI + ( u + ( u ) ) ] + F t u = 0

(1)

2011 COMSOL

1 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

In these equations, u denotes the velocity (m/s), the density (kg/m3), the dynamic viscosity (Pas), and p the pressure (Pa). For a stationary, axisymmetric flow the equations reduce to (Ref. 1): u 1 u u v u u p u ------ ----- + w ------ + ------ = -- ----- r ------ ---- + --------- + F r r r z r r r r r 2 z 2 v 1 v v uv v v u ----- + ------ + w ----- = -- ----- r ----- ---- + -------- + F r z r r r r 2 z 2 r w w 1 w p w u ------- + w ------- + ----- = -- ----- r ------- + ---------- + F z r z z r r r z 2 Here u is the radial velocity, v the rotational velocity, and w the axial velocity (m/s). In the model you set the volumetric force components Fr, F , and Fz to zero. The swirling flow is 2D even though the model includes all three velocity components.
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
2 2 2 2

(2)

Figure 2 below shows the boundary conditions.

Sliding wall Symmetry

No slip Axial symmetry

Figure 2: Boundary conditions. On the stirrer, use the sliding wall boundary condition to specify the velocities. The velocity components in the plane are zero, and that in the angular direction is equal to the angular velocity, , times the radius, r: w w = r (3)

2 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

2011 COMSOL

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

At the boundaries representing the cylinder surface a no slip condition applies, stating that all velocity components equal zero: u = ( 0, 0, 0 ) (4)

At the boundary corresponding to the rotation axis, use the axial symmetry boundary condition allowing flow in the tangential direction of the boundary but not in the normal direction. This is obtained by setting the radial velocity to zero: u = 0 (5)

On the top boundary, which is a free surface, use the Symmetry condition to allow for flow in the axial and rotational directions only. The boundary condition is mathematically similar to the axial symmetry condition.
PO IN T S ET TINGS

Because there is no outflow boundary in this model, where the pressure would be specified, you need to lock the pressure to some reference pressure in a point. In this model, set the pressure to zero in the top right corner.

Results
The parametric solver provides the solution for four different angular velocities. Figure 3 shows the results for the smallest angular velocity, = 0.25 rad/s.

2011 COMSOL

3 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

Figure 3: Results for angular velocity = 0.25 rad/s. The surface plot shows the magnitude of the velocity field and the white lines are streamlines of the velocity field. The shape of the two recirculation zones, which are visualized with streamlines, changes as the angular velocity increases. Figure 4 shows the streamlines of the velocity field for higher angular velocities.

Figure 4: Results for angular velocities = 0.5, 2, and 4 rad/s. The surface plot shows the magnitude of the velocity and the white lines are streamlines of the velocity field. Figure 5 and Figure 6 show isocontours of the rotational velocity component together with surface plots of the velocity magnitude for different angular velocities.

4 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

2011 COMSOL

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

Figure 5: Isocontours for the azimuthal velocity component for angular velocity = 0.25 rad/s. The surface plot shows the magnitude of the velocity.

Figure 6: Magnitude of the velocity field (surface) and isocontours for the azimuthal velocity component for angular velocities (left to right) = 0.5, 2, and 4 rad/s. Figure 7 shows the turbulent viscosity and flow fields for the angular velocity to = 500 rad/s and turbulent flow in the mixer volume.

2011 COMSOL

5 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

Figure 7: Results for angular velocity = 500 rad/s. The surface plot shows the turbulent viscosity and the white lines are streamlines of the velocity field.

Reference
1. P.M. Gresho and R.L. Sani, Incompressible Flow and the Finite Element Method, vol. 2, p. 469, John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 1998.

Model Library path: CFD_Module/Single-Phase_Tutorials/rotating_disk

Modeling Instructions
MODEL WIZARD

1 Go to the Model Wizard window. 2 Click the 2D axisymmetric button. 3 Click Next.

6 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

2011 COMSOL

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

4 In the Add physics tree, select Fluid Flow>Single-Phase Flow>Laminar Flow (spf). 5 Click Add Selected. 6 Click Next. 7 Find the Studies subsection. In the tree, select Preset Studies>Stationary. 8 Click Finish.
GLOBAL DEFINITIONS

Parameters
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Global Definitions and choose Parameters. 2 Go to the Settings window for Parameters. 3 Locate the Parameters section. In the Parameters table, enter the following settings:
NAME EXPRESSION DESCRIPTION

omega GEOMETRY 1

0.25*pi[rad/s]

Angular velocity

Rectangle 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Model 1>Geometry 1 and choose Rectangle. 2 Go to the Settings window for Rectangle. 3 Locate the Size section. In the Width edit field, type 0.02. 4 In the Height edit field, type 0.04. 5 Click the Build All button. 6 Click the Zoom Extents button on the Graphics toolbar.

Rectangle 2
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Geometry 1 and choose Rectangle. 2 Go to the Settings window for Rectangle. 3 Locate the Size section. In the Width edit field, type 0.008. 4 In the Height edit field, type 0.003. 5 Locate the Position section. In the z edit field, type 0.014. 6 Click the Build All button.

Rectangle 3
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Geometry 1 and choose Rectangle. 2 Go to the Settings window for Rectangle.

2011 COMSOL

7 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

3 Locate the Size section. In the Width edit field, type 0.001. 4 In the Height edit field, type 0.023. 5 Locate the Position section. In the z edit field, type 0.017. 6 Click the Build All button.

Difference 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Geometry 1 and choose Boolean Operations>Difference. 2 Select the object r1 only. 3 Go to the Settings window for Difference. 4 Locate the Difference section. Under Objects to subtract, click Activate Selection. 5 Select the objects r2 and r3 only. 6 Go to the Settings window for Difference. 7 Locate the Difference section. Clear the Keep interior boundaries check box. 8 Click the Build All button. 9 Click the Zoom Extents button on the Graphics toolbar.
MATERIALS

Material 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Model 1>Materials and choose Material. 2 Go to the Settings window for Material. 3 Locate the Material Contents section. In the Material contents table, enter the

following settings:
PROPERTY NAME VALUE

Density Dynamic viscosity

LAMINAR FLOW

rho mu

1e3 1e-3

1 In the Model Builder window, click Model 1>Laminar Flow. 2 Go to the Settings window for Laminar Flow. 3 Locate the Physical Model section. From the Compressibility list, choose Incompressible flow. 4 Select the Swirl flow check box.

8 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

2011 COMSOL

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

5 In the Model Builder windows toolbar, click the Show button and select Discretization

in the menu.
6 Click to expand the Discretization section. 7 From the Discretization of fluids list, choose P2 + P1.

This setting gives quadratic elements for the velocity field.

Wall 2
1 Right-click Model 1>Laminar Flow and choose Wall. 2 Select Boundaries 35 and 7 only. 3 Go to the Settings window for Wall. 4 Locate the Boundary Condition section. From the Boundary condition list, choose Sliding wall. 5 In the vw edit field, type omega*r.

Symmetry 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Laminar Flow and choose Symmetry. 2 Select Boundary 6 only.

Pressure Point Constraint 1

1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Laminar Flow and choose Points>Pressure Point Constraint. 2 Select Point 8 only.
STUDY 1

Step 1: Stationary
1 In the Model Builder window, expand the Study 1 node, then click Step 1: Stationary. 2 Go to the Settings window for Stationary. 3 Click to expand the Extension section. 4 Select the Continuation check box. 5 Under Continuation parameter, click Add. 6 Go to the Add dialog box. 7 In the Continuation parameter list, select omega (Angular velocity). 8 Click the OK button. 9 Go to the Settings window for Stationary.

2011 COMSOL

9 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

10 Locate the Extension section. In the Parameter values edit field, type 0.25*pi
0.5*pi 2*pi 4*pi.

11 In the Model Builder window, right-click Study 1 and choose Compute.

RESULTS

To create Figure 3 do the following steps:

Velocity (spf)
1 Go to the Settings window for 2D Plot Group. 2 Locate the Data section. From the Parameter value (omega) list, choose 0.785398. 3 Click the Plot button. 4 In the Model Builder window, expand the Velocity (spf) node, then click Surface 1. 5 Go to the Settings window for Surface. 6 Locate the Expression section. From the Unit list, choose mm/s. 7 In the Model Builder window, right-click Velocity (spf) and choose Streamline. 8 Go to the Settings window for Streamline. 9 Locate the Streamline Positioning section. From the Positioning list, choose Uniform density. 10 In the Separating distance edit field, type 0.02. 11 Locate the Coloring and Style section. From the Color list, choose White. 12 Click the Plot button.

To produce the series of snapshots of the velocity and streamlines of the velocity field shown in Figure 4, proceed with the following steps:
13 In the Model Builder window, click Surface 1. 14 Go to the Settings window for Surface. 15 Locate the Coloring and Style section. Clear the Color legend check box. 16 In the Model Builder window, click Velocity (spf). 17 Go to the Settings window for 2D Plot Group. 18 Locate the Data section. From the Parameter value (omega) list, choose 1.570796. 19 Click the Plot button. 20 From the Parameter value (omega) list, choose 6.283185. 21 Click the Plot button. 22 From the Parameter value (omega) list, choose 12.566371.

10 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

2011 COMSOL

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

2 Click the Plot button. 3

2D Plot Group 4
To plot the isocontours for the azimuthal velocity component Figure 5, proceed with the following steps.
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Results and choose 2D Plot Group. 2 Go to the Settings window for 2D Plot Group. 3 Locate the Data section. From the Parameter value (omega) list, choose 0.785398. 4 Right-click Results>2D Plot Group 4 and choose Surface. 5 Right-click 2D Plot Group 4 and choose Contour. 6 Go to the Settings window for Contour. 7 Click to expand the Quality section. 8 Click the Plot button. 9 In the upper-right corner of the Expression section, click Replace Expression. 1 From the menu, choose Laminar Flow>Velocity field>Velocity field, phi component (v). 0 1 Locate the Levels section. In the Total levels edit field, type 15. 1 1 Locate the Coloring and Style section. From the Coloring list, choose Uniform. 2 1 From the Color list, choose White. 3 1 Locate the Quality section. From the Resolution list, choose Finer. 4 1 From the Recover list, choose Within domains. 5

To reproduce Figure 6, do the following steps.

1 In the Model Builder window, click Surface 1. 6 1 Go to the Settings window for Surface. 7 1 Locate the Coloring and Style section. Clear the Color legend check box. 8 1 In the Model Builder window, click 2D Plot Group 4. 9 2 Go to the Settings window for 2D Plot Group. 0 2 Locate the Data section. From the Parameter value (omega) list, choose 1.570796. 1 2 Click the Plot button. 2 2 From the Parameter value (omega) list, choose 6.283185. 3 2 Click the Plot button. 4 2 From the Parameter value (omega) list, choose 12.566371. 5 2 Click the Plot button. 6

2011 COMSOL

11 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

LAMINAR FLOW

Now, modify the model to simulate turbulent swirl flow. The Pseudo Time Stepping enhances the stability of stationary turbulence simulations.
1 In the Model Builder windows toolbar, click the Show button and select Advanced Physics Interface Options in the menu. 2 In the Model Builder window, click Model 1>Laminar Flow. 3 Go to the Settings window for Laminar Flow. 4 Locate the Physical Model section. From the Turbulence model type list, choose RANS. 5 Click to expand the Advanced Settings section. 6 Select the Use pseudo time stepping for stationary equation form check box.
MESH 1

1 In the Model Builder window, click Model 1>Mesh 1. 2 Go to the Settings window for Mesh. 3 Locate the Mesh Settings section. From the Element size list, choose Fine.
STUDY 1

Step 1: Stationary
1 In the Model Builder window, click Study 1>Step 1: Stationary. 2 Go to the Settings window for Stationary. 3 Locate the Extension section. In the Parameter values edit field, type
range(pi*100,pi*200,pi*500).

4 In the Model Builder window, right-click Study 1 and choose Compute.

RESULTS

Velocity (spf)
Next, define a surface plot visualizing the turbulent viscosity and the streamlines of the velocity field (Figure 7).

Velocity (spf) 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Results>Velocity (spf) and choose Duplicate. 2 Go to the Settings window for 2D Plot Group. 3 Locate the Data section. From the Parameter value (omega) list, choose 1570.796327. 4 In the Model Builder window, expand the Velocity (spf) 1 node, then click Surface 1.

12 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

2011 COMSOL

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

5 Go to the Settings window for Surface. 6 In the upper-right corner of the Expression section, click Replace Expression. 7 From the menu, choose Turbulent Flow, k->Turbulent dynamic viscosity (spf.muT). 8 Locate the Coloring and Style section. Select the Color legend check box.

2011 COMSOL

13 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a

14 |

SWIRL FLOW AROUND A ROTATING DISK

2011 COMSOL