ANSYS CFX Tutorials

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Release 12.1
November 2009
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the CFX Tutorials .................................................................................................................... 1
Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode ........................................... 1
Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench .......................................................................... 1
Starting CFX-Pre ............................................................................................................................. 2
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .............................................................................................. 2
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .................................................................................. 2
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post ........................................................................................................ 2
Creating CFX Component Systems for Multiple Simulations (As Required) ............................................... 3
Closing the Applications ................................................................................................................... 3
Playing a Tutorial Session File ........................................................................................................... 3
Changing the Display Colors ............................................................................................................. 4
Editor Buttons ................................................................................................................................. 4
Using Help ..................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using CFX in Standalone Mode ........................................................................ 5
Tutorial Features ............................................................................................................................. 5
Overview of the Problem to Solve ....................................................................................................... 6
Before You Begin ............................................................................................................................ 6
Starting CFX-Pre ............................................................................................................................. 6
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre .............................................................................................................. 6
Synopsis of Quick Setup Mode ........................................................................................................... 7
Workflow Overview ......................................................................................................................... 7
Creating a New Case ........................................................................................................................ 8
Setting the Physics Definition ............................................................................................................ 8
Importing a Mesh ............................................................................................................................ 8
Using the Viewer ............................................................................................................................. 8
Defining Model Data ........................................................................................................................ 9
Defining Boundaries ........................................................................................................................ 9
Setting Boundary Data .................................................................................................................... 10
Setting Flow Specification ............................................................................................................... 10
Setting Temperature Specification ..................................................................................................... 10
Reviewing the Boundary Condition Definitions ................................................................................... 10
Creating the Second Inlet Boundary Definition .................................................................................... 10
Creating the Outlet Boundary Definition ............................................................................................ 11
Moving to General Mode ................................................................................................................. 11
Setting Solver Control ..................................................................................................................... 11
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File ............................................................................................ 12
Playing the Session File and Starting CFX-Solver Manager .................................................................... 12
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager ................................................................................ 12
Start the Run ................................................................................................................................. 13
Move from CFX-Solver to CFD-Post ................................................................................................. 13
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post ...................................................................................................... 14
Workflow Overview ....................................................................................................................... 15
Setting the Edge Angle for a Wireframe Object .................................................................................... 15
Creating a Point for the Origin of the Streamline .................................................................................. 16
Creating a Streamline Originating from a Point .................................................................................... 16
Rearranging the Point ..................................................................................................................... 17
Configuring a Default Legend .......................................................................................................... 18
Creating a Slice Plane ..................................................................................................................... 19
Defining Slice Plane Geometry ......................................................................................................... 19
Configuring Slice Plane Views .......................................................................................................... 20
Rendering Slice Planes .................................................................................................................... 20
Coloring the Slice Plane .................................................................................................................. 21
Moving the Slice Plane ................................................................................................................... 22
Adding Contours ........................................................................................................................... 22
Working with Animations ................................................................................................................ 23
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ANSYS CFX Tutorials

Showing the Animation Dialog Box ................................................................................................... 23
Creating the First Keyframe ............................................................................................................. 24
Creating the Second Keyframe ......................................................................................................... 25
Viewing the Animation ................................................................................................................... 26
Modifying the Animation ................................................................................................................ 27
Saving a Movie .............................................................................................................................. 28
Quitting CFD-Post ......................................................................................................................... 28
3. Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using Workbench ......................................................................................... 29
Tutorial Features ............................................................................................................................ 29
Overview of the Problem to Solve ..................................................................................................... 30
Before You Begin ........................................................................................................................... 30
Starting ANSYS Workbench ............................................................................................................ 30
Starting CFX-Pre from ANSYS Workbench ........................................................................................ 31
Creating the Simulation Definition .................................................................................................... 32
Setting the Physics Definition ........................................................................................................... 32
Defining Boundaries ....................................................................................................................... 32
Setting Boundary Data .................................................................................................................... 32
Creating the Second Inlet Boundary Definition .................................................................................... 33
Creating the Outlet Boundary Definition ............................................................................................ 33
Moving to General Mode ................................................................................................................. 33
Using the Viewer ........................................................................................................................... 33
Setting Solver Control ..................................................................................................................... 34
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager ................................................................................ 35
Display the Results in CFD-Post ....................................................................................................... 36
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post ...................................................................................................... 37
Workflow Overview ....................................................................................................................... 37
Setting the Edge Angle for a Wireframe Object .................................................................................... 38
Creating a Point for the Origin of the Streamline .................................................................................. 39
Creating a Streamline Originating from a Point .................................................................................... 40
Rearranging the Point ..................................................................................................................... 40
Configuring a Default Legend .......................................................................................................... 41
Creating a Slice Plane ..................................................................................................................... 42
Defining Slice Plane Geometry ......................................................................................................... 43
Configuring Slice Plane Views .......................................................................................................... 43
Rendering Slice Planes .................................................................................................................... 44
Coloring the Slice Plane .................................................................................................................. 44
Moving the Slice Plane ................................................................................................................... 45
Adding Contours ........................................................................................................................... 45
Working with Animations ................................................................................................................ 46
Showing the Animation Dialog Box ................................................................................................... 47
Creating the First Keyframe ............................................................................................................. 47
Creating the Second Keyframe ......................................................................................................... 48
Viewing the Animation ................................................................................................................... 49
Modifying the Animation ................................................................................................................ 50
Saving a Movie .............................................................................................................................. 51
Closing the Applications .................................................................................................................. 51
4. Flow in a Static Mixer (Refined Mesh) ........................................................................................................... 53
Tutorial Features ............................................................................................................................ 53
Overview of the Problem to Solve ..................................................................................................... 53
Before You Begin ........................................................................................................................... 54
Starting CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................................... 54
Defining a Simulation using General Mode in CFX-Pre ......................................................................... 54
Workflow Overview ....................................................................................................................... 54
Creating a New Case ...................................................................................................................... 54
Importing a Mesh ........................................................................................................................... 55
Importing CCL .............................................................................................................................. 55
Viewing Domain Settings ................................................................................................................ 56
Viewing the Boundary Condition Setting ............................................................................................ 56
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ANSYS CFX Tutorials

Defining Solver Parameters .............................................................................................................. 56
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File ............................................................................................ 57
Playing the Session File and Starting CFX-Solver Manager .................................................................... 58
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager ................................................................................ 58
Workflow Overview ....................................................................................................................... 58
Starting the Run with an Initial Values File .......................................................................................... 59
Confirming Results ........................................................................................................................ 59
Moving from CFX-Solver to CFD-Post .............................................................................................. 59
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post ...................................................................................................... 60
Creating a Slice Plane ..................................................................................................................... 60
Coloring the Slice Plane .................................................................................................................. 61
Loading Results from Tutorial 1 for Comparison .................................................................................. 61
Creating a Second Slice Plane .......................................................................................................... 62
Comparing Slice Planes Using Multiple Views .................................................................................... 62
Viewing the Surface Mesh on the Outlet ............................................................................................. 63
Looking at the Inflated Elements in Three Dimensions .......................................................................... 63
Viewing the Surface Mesh on the Mixer Body ..................................................................................... 64
Viewing the Layers of Inflated Elements on a Plane .............................................................................. 65
Viewing the Mesh Statistics ............................................................................................................. 65
Viewing the Mesh Elements with Largest Face Angle ............................................................................ 65
Viewing the Mesh Elements with Largest Face Angle Using a Point ......................................................... 66
Quitting CFD-Post ......................................................................................................................... 66
5. Flow in a Process Injection Mixing Pipe .......................................................................................................... 67
Tutorial Features ............................................................................................................................ 67
Overview of the Problem to Solve ..................................................................................................... 68
Before You Begin ........................................................................................................................... 68
Starting CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................................... 69
Defining a Simulation using General Mode in CFX-Pre ......................................................................... 69
Workflow Overview ....................................................................................................................... 69
Creating a New Case ...................................................................................................................... 69
Importing a Mesh ........................................................................................................................... 70
Setting Temperature-Dependent Material Properties ............................................................................. 70
Plotting an Expression .................................................................................................................... 71
Evaluating an Expression ................................................................................................................. 71
Modify Material Properties .............................................................................................................. 71
Creating the Domain ....................................................................................................................... 72
Creating the Side Inlet Boundary ...................................................................................................... 72
Creating the Main Inlet Boundary ..................................................................................................... 73
Creating the Main Outlet Boundary ................................................................................................... 74
Setting Initial Values ....................................................................................................................... 74
Setting Solver Control ..................................................................................................................... 74
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File ............................................................................................ 75
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager ................................................................................ 75
Moving from CFX-Solver Manager to CFD-Post ................................................................................. 75
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post ...................................................................................................... 76
Workflow Overview ....................................................................................................................... 76
Modifying the Outline of the Geometry .............................................................................................. 76
Creating and Modifying Streamlines Originating from the Main Inlet ...................................................... 76
Modifying Streamline Color Ranges .................................................................................................. 76
Coloring Streamlines with a Constant Color ........................................................................................ 77
Creating Streamlines Originating from the Side Inlet ............................................................................ 77
Examining Turbulence Kinetic Energy ............................................................................................... 78
Quitting CFD-Post ......................................................................................................................... 78
6. Flow from a Circular Vent ............................................................................................................................ 79
Tutorial Features ............................................................................................................................ 79
Overview of the Problem to Solve ..................................................................................................... 80
Before You Begin ........................................................................................................................... 80
Starting CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................................... 80
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ANSYS CFX Tutorials

Defining a Multiple-Analysis Simulation in CFX-Pre ........................................................................... 81
Importing the Mesh ........................................................................................................................ 81
Creating an Additional Variable ........................................................................................................ 81
Renaming the Analysis .................................................................................................................... 82
Creating the Domain ....................................................................................................................... 82
Creating the Boundaries .................................................................................................................. 82
Setting Initial Values ....................................................................................................................... 85
Setting Solver Control ..................................................................................................................... 85
Creating a Transient Flow Analysis .................................................................................................... 85
Modifying the Analysis Type ............................................................................................................ 85
Modifying the Boundary Conditions .................................................................................................. 86
Initialization Values ........................................................................................................................ 88
Modifying the Solver Control ........................................................................................................... 88
Output Control .............................................................................................................................. 88
Configuring Simulation Control ........................................................................................................ 89
Writing the CFX-Solver Input File .................................................................................................... 90
Obtaining Solutions to the Steady-State and Transient Configurations ...................................................... 90
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post ...................................................................................................... 91
Displaying Smoke Density Using an Isosurface ................................................................................... 91
Viewing the Results at Different Time Steps ........................................................................................ 92
Generating Titled Image Files ........................................................................................................... 92
Generating a Movie ........................................................................................................................ 93
7. Flow Around a Blunt Body ........................................................................................................................... 95
Tutorial Features ............................................................................................................................ 95
Overview of the Problem to Solve ..................................................................................................... 96
Before You Begin ........................................................................................................................... 96
Starting CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................................... 96
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ............................................................................................................. 97
Importing the Mesh ........................................................................................................................ 97
Creating the Domain ....................................................................................................................... 97
Creating Composite Regions ............................................................................................................ 98
Creating the Boundaries .................................................................................................................. 98
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 100
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 101
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 101
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 101
Obtaining a Solution in Serial ......................................................................................................... 101
Obtaining a Solution in Parallel ....................................................................................................... 102
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 105
Using Symmetry Plane to Display the Full Geometry .......................................................................... 105
Creating Velocity Vectors ............................................................................................................... 106
Displaying Pressure Distribution on Body and Symmetry Plane ............................................................ 108
Creating Surface Streamlines to Display the Path of Air along the Surface of the Body .............................. 108
Moving Objects ........................................................................................................................... 109
Creating a Surface Plot of y+ .......................................................................................................... 109
Demonstrating Power Syntax .......................................................................................................... 110
Viewing the Mesh Partitions (Parallel Only) ...................................................................................... 111
8. Buoyant Flow in a Partitioned Cavity ............................................................................................................ 113
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 113
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 114
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 114
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 114
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 115
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 115
Analysis Type .............................................................................................................................. 115
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 116
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 117
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 118
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ANSYS CFX Tutorials

Setting Output Control .................................................................................................................. 119
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 119
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 120
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 120
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 120
Simple Report ............................................................................................................................. 120
Plots for Customized Reports ......................................................................................................... 121
Customized Report ....................................................................................................................... 123
Animations ................................................................................................................................. 123
Completion ................................................................................................................................. 123
9. Free Surface Flow Over a Bump .................................................................................................................. 125
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 125
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 126
Approach to the Problem ............................................................................................................... 126
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 126
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 126
Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre ................................................................................................... 126
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 127
Creating Expressions for Initial and Boundary Conditions .................................................................... 127
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 128
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 130
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 132
Setting Mesh Adaption Parameters .................................................................................................. 132
Setting the Solver Controls ............................................................................................................. 133
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 134
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 134
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 135
Creating Velocity Vector Plots ......................................................................................................... 135
Viewing Mesh Refinement ............................................................................................................. 136
Creating an Isosurface to Show the Free Surface ................................................................................ 139
Creating a Polyline that Follows the Free Surface ............................................................................... 139
Creating a Chart to Show the Height of the Surface ............................................................................. 139
Further Postprocessing .................................................................................................................. 140
Using a Supercritical Outlet Condition ............................................................................................. 140
10. Supersonic Flow Over a Wing .................................................................................................................... 141
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 141
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 142
Approach to the Problem ............................................................................................................... 142
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 142
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 142
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 143
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 143
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 143
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 144
Creating Domain Interfaces ............................................................................................................ 146
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 146
Setting the Solver Controls ............................................................................................................. 147
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 147
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 147
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 147
Displaying Mach Information ......................................................................................................... 148
Displaying Pressure Information ..................................................................................................... 148
Displaying Temperature Information ................................................................................................ 148
Displaying Pressure With User Vectors ............................................................................................. 149
11. Flow Through a Butterfly Valve ................................................................................................................. 151
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 151
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 152
Approach to the Problem ............................................................................................................... 152
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ANSYS CFX Tutorials

Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 153
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 153
Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre ................................................................................................... 153
Creating a New Case ..................................................................................................................... 153
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 153
Defining the Properties of the Sand .................................................................................................. 153
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 154
Creating the Inlet Velocity Profile .................................................................................................... 157
Creating the Boundary Conditions ................................................................................................... 158
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 161
Setting the Solver Controls ............................................................................................................. 161
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 162
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 163
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 163
Erosion Due to Sand Particles ......................................................................................................... 163
Displaying Erosion on the Pipe Wall ................................................................................................ 163
Setting the Particle Tracks .............................................................................................................. 164
Creating the Particle Track Symbols ................................................................................................. 164
Creating a Particle Track Animation ................................................................................................. 165
Determining Minimum, Maximum, and Average Pressure Values .......................................................... 165
12. Flow in a Catalytic Converter .................................................................................................................... 167
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 167
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 168
Approach to the Problem ............................................................................................................... 168
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 169
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 169
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 169
Importing the Meshes .................................................................................................................... 169
Creating the Fluid Domain ............................................................................................................. 171
Creating the Porous Domain ........................................................................................................... 172
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 173
Creating the Domain Interfaces ....................................................................................................... 174
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 175
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 175
Setting a Discretization Option ....................................................................................................... 175
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 176
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 176
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 176
Viewing the Mesh on a GGI Interface ............................................................................................... 177
Creating User Locations ................................................................................................................ 178
Creating Plots .............................................................................................................................. 179
Exporting Polyline Data ................................................................................................................ 180
13. Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow in an Annulus .................................................................................................... 183
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 183
Background Theory ...................................................................................................................... 183
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 184
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 185
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 185
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 186
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 186
Creating the Fluid ......................................................................................................................... 186
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 187
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 187
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 188
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 189
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 189
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 190
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 190
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ANSYS CFX Tutorials

14. Flow in an Axial Rotor/Stator .................................................................................................................... 193
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 193
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 194
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 196
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 196
Defining a Frozen Rotor Case in CFX-Pre ......................................................................................... 197
Basic Settings .............................................................................................................................. 197
Component Definition ................................................................................................................... 197
Physics Definition ........................................................................................................................ 198
Interface Definition ...................................................................................................................... 198
Boundary Definition ..................................................................................................................... 199
Final Operations ........................................................................................................................... 199
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 199
Obtaining a Solution to the Frozen Rotor Model ................................................................................. 199
Obtaining a Solution in Serial ......................................................................................................... 199
Obtaining a Solution With Local Parallel .......................................................................................... 200
Obtaining a Solution with Distributed Parallel .................................................................................... 200
Viewing the Frozen Rotor Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................. 200
Initializing Turbo-Post ................................................................................................................... 200
Viewing Three Domain Passages ..................................................................................................... 201
Blade Loading Turbo Chart ............................................................................................................ 202
Setting up a Transient Rotor-Stator Calculation .................................................................................. 202
Playing a Session File ................................................................................................................... 202
Opening the Existing Case ............................................................................................................. 202
Modifying the Physics Definition .................................................................................................... 202
Setting Output Control .................................................................................................................. 203
Modifying Execution Control ......................................................................................................... 204
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 204
Obtaining a Solution to the Transient Rotor-Stator Model ..................................................................... 204
Serial Solution ............................................................................................................................. 204
Parallel Solution ........................................................................................................................... 205
Monitoring the Run ...................................................................................................................... 205
Viewing the Transient Rotor-Stator Results in CFD-Post ...................................................................... 205
Initializing Turbo-Post ................................................................................................................... 205
Displaying a Surface of Constant Span ............................................................................................. 205
Using Multiple Turbo Viewports ...................................................................................................... 205
Creating a Turbo Surface at Mid-Span .............................................................................................. 206
Setting up Instancing Transformations .............................................................................................. 206
Animating the movement of the Rotor relative to the Stator .................................................................. 206
Further Postprocessing .................................................................................................................. 208
15. Reacting Flow in a Mixing Tube ................................................................................................................. 209
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 209
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 210
Modeling Approach ...................................................................................................................... 211
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 212
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 212
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 212
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 212
Creating a Multicomponent Fluid .................................................................................................... 213
Creating an Additional Variable to Model pH ..................................................................................... 216
Formulating the Reaction and pH as Expressions ................................................................................ 216
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 221
Creating a Subdomain to Model the Chemical Reactions ...................................................................... 222
Creating the Boundary Conditions ................................................................................................... 223
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 226
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 227
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 227
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 227
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ANSYS CFX Tutorials

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 228
16. Conjugate Heat Transfer in a Heating Coil ................................................................................................... 229
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 229
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 230
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 230
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 231
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 231
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 231
Editing the Material Properties ........................................................................................................ 231
Defining the Calcium Carbonate Deposit Material .............................................................................. 232
Creating the Domains .................................................................................................................... 232
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 233
Creating the Domain Interface ........................................................................................................ 235
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 235
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 236
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 236
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 236
Heating Coil Temperature Range ..................................................................................................... 236
Creating a Cylindrical Locator ........................................................................................................ 237
Specular Lighting ......................................................................................................................... 239
Moving the Light Source ............................................................................................................... 239
Exporting the Results to ANSYS ..................................................................................................... 239
Exporting Data from CFX-Solver Manager ....................................................................................... 239
17. Multiphase Flow in a Mixing Vessel ............................................................................................................ 241
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 241
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 242
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 243
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 243
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 244
Importing the Meshes .................................................................................................................... 244
Creating the Domains .................................................................................................................... 246
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 248
Creating the Domain Interfaces ....................................................................................................... 251
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 255
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 256
Adding Monitor Points .................................................................................................................. 256
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 257
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 257
Examining the Results in CFD-Post ................................................................................................. 257
Creating a Plane Locator ................................................................................................................ 258
Plotting Velocity .......................................................................................................................... 258
Plotting Pressure Distribution ......................................................................................................... 258
Plotting Volume Fractions .............................................................................................................. 259
Plotting Shear Strain Rate and Shear Stress ....................................................................................... 259
Calculating Torque and Power Requirements ..................................................................................... 260
18. Gas-Liquid Flow in an Airlift Reactor ......................................................................................................... 261
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 261
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 262
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 263
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 263
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 263
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 263
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 263
Creating the Boundary Conditions ................................................................................................... 265
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 268
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 269
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 269
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 269
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ANSYS CFX Tutorials

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 270
Creating Water Velocity Vector Plots ................................................................................................ 270
Creating Volume Fraction Plots ....................................................................................................... 270
Displaying the Entire Airlift Reactor Geometry .................................................................................. 272
Additional Fine Mesh Simulation Results ......................................................................................... 272
19. Air Conditioning Simulation ...................................................................................................................... 275
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 275
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 276
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 277
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 277
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 278
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 278
Importing CEL Expressions ........................................................................................................... 278
Compiling the Fortran Subroutine for the Thermostat .......................................................................... 279
Creating a User CEL Function for the Thermostat ............................................................................... 280
Setting the Analysis Type ............................................................................................................... 281
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 282
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 282
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 285
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 286
Setting Output Control .................................................................................................................. 286
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 288
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 288
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 288
Creating Graphics Objects ............................................................................................................. 289
Creating an Animation .................................................................................................................. 290
Further Steps ............................................................................................................................... 291
20. Combustion and Radiation in a Can Combustor ............................................................................................. 293
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 293
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 294
Using Eddy Dissipation and P1 Models ............................................................................................ 296
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 296
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 296
Defining a Case Using Eddy Dissipation and P1 Models in CFX-Pre ...................................................... 297
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 297
Creating a Reacting Mixture ........................................................................................................... 297
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 298
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 299
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 301
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 302
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 302
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 302
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 303
Temperature Within the Domain ...................................................................................................... 303
The NO Concentration in the Combustor .......................................................................................... 303
Printing a Greyscale Graphic .......................................................................................................... 304
Calculating NO Mass Fraction at the Outlet ....................................................................................... 304
Viewing Flow Field ...................................................................................................................... 304
Viewing Radiation ........................................................................................................................ 305
Defining a Simulation Using Laminar Flamelet and Discrete Transfer Models in ANSYS CFX-Pre .............. 305
Playing a Session File ................................................................................................................... 306
Creating a New Case ..................................................................................................................... 306
Modifying the Reacting Mixture ..................................................................................................... 306
Modifying the Domain .................................................................................................................. 307
Modifying the Boundaries .............................................................................................................. 307
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 308
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 309
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 309
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Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 309
Viewing the Results in ANSYS CFD-Post ......................................................................................... 309
Viewing Temperature within the Domain .......................................................................................... 310
Viewing the NO Concentration in the Combustor ............................................................................... 310
Calculating NO Concentration ........................................................................................................ 310
Viewing CO Concentration ............................................................................................................ 310
Calculating CO Mass Fraction at the Outlet ....................................................................................... 311
Further Postprocessing .................................................................................................................. 311
21. Cavitation Around a Hydrofoil ................................................................................................................... 313
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 313
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 314
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 314
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 314
Creating an Initial Simulation ......................................................................................................... 315
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 315
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 315
Loading Materials ........................................................................................................................ 315
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 315
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 316
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 318
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 318
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 319
Obtaining an Initial Solution using CFX-Solver Manager ..................................................................... 319
Viewing the Results of the Initial Simulation ..................................................................................... 319
Plotting Pressure Distribution Data .................................................................................................. 319
Exporting Pressure Distribution Data ............................................................................................... 321
Saving the Post-Processing State ..................................................................................................... 322
Preparing a Simulation with Cavitation ............................................................................................. 322
Modifying the Initial Case in CFX-Pre ............................................................................................. 322
Adding Cavitation ........................................................................................................................ 322
Modifying Solver Control .............................................................................................................. 323
Modifying Execution Control ......................................................................................................... 323
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 323
Obtaining a Cavitation Solution using CFX-Solver Manager ................................................................. 324
Viewing the Results of the Cavitation Simulation ............................................................................... 324
22. Fluid Structure Interaction and Mesh Deformation ......................................................................................... 327
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 327
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 328
Modeling the Ball Dynamics .......................................................................................................... 329
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 329
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 329
Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre ................................................................................................... 330
Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre ................................................................................................... 330
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 330
Importing the Required Expressions ................................................................................................. 330
Setting the Analysis Type ............................................................................................................... 331
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 332
Creating the Subdomain ................................................................................................................ 333
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 333
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 335
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 336
Setting Output Control .................................................................................................................. 336
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 337
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 337
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 338
Creating a Slice Plane ................................................................................................................... 338
Creating a Point ........................................................................................................................... 338
Creating an Animation with Velocity Vectors ..................................................................................... 338
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23. Oscillating Plate with Two-Way Fluid-Structure Interaction ............................................................................. 341
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 341
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 342
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 342
Creating the Project ...................................................................................................................... 343
Adding Analyses Systems to the Project ........................................................................................... 343
Adding a New Material for the Project ............................................................................................. 344
Adding Geometry to the Project ...................................................................................................... 345
Defining the Physics in the Mechanical Application ............................................................................ 346
Generating the Mesh for the Structural System ................................................................................... 347
Assigning the Material to Geometry ................................................................................................. 347
Basic Analysis Settings .................................................................................................................. 347
Inserting Loads ............................................................................................................................ 347
Completing the Setup for the Structural System .................................................................................. 349
Creating Named Selections for the Project ........................................................................................ 349
Generating the Mesh for the Fluid System ......................................................................................... 351
Defining the Physics and ANSYS Multi-field Settings in ANSYS CFX-Pre ............................................. 352
Setting the Analysis Type ............................................................................................................... 352
Creating the Fluid ......................................................................................................................... 353
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 353
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 354
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 355
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 355
Setting Output Control .................................................................................................................. 356
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 357
Viewing Results in ANSYS CFD-Post .............................................................................................. 358
Plotting Results on the Solid ........................................................................................................... 358
Creating an Animation .................................................................................................................. 359
24. Optimizing Flow in a Static Mixer .............................................................................................................. 361
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 361
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 362
Setting Up ANSYS Workbench ....................................................................................................... 363
Creating the Project ...................................................................................................................... 363
Creating the Geometry in DesignModeler ......................................................................................... 363
Creating the Solid ......................................................................................................................... 364
Creating the Mesh with CFX-Mesh .................................................................................................. 370
Setting up the Case with CFX-Pre ................................................................................................... 370
Setting the Output Parameter in CFD-Post ........................................................................................ 373
Investigating the Impact of Changing Design Parameters Manually ........................................................ 374
Using Design of Experiments ......................................................................................................... 376
Viewing the Response Surface ........................................................................................................ 376
Viewing the Optimization .............................................................................................................. 377
25. Aerodynamic & Structural Performance of a Centrifugal Compressor ................................................................ 379
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 379
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 380
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 381
Starting ANSYS Workbench and Creating a BladeGen System .............................................................. 381
Reviewing the Centrifugal Compressor Geometry in BladeGen ............................................................. 383
Creating a CFD Mesh using ANSYS TurboGrid ................................................................................. 383
Defining the Shroud Tip ................................................................................................................ 384
Creating the Topology ................................................................................................................... 384
Modifying the Topology ................................................................................................................ 385
Specifying Mesh Data Settings ....................................................................................................... 388
Generating the CFD Mesh .............................................................................................................. 389
Defining an Aerodynamic Simulation using CFX-Pre .......................................................................... 389
Creating a New Case ..................................................................................................................... 389
Obtaining a Solution to the Aerodynamic Simulation using CFX-Solver ................................................. 391
Viewing the Results of the Aerodynamic Simulation in CFD-Post .......................................................... 391
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Simulating Structural Stresses due to Pressure Loads .......................................................................... 392
Simulating Structural Stresses due to Rotation ................................................................................... 394
26. Axial Turbine Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Steam Predictions .................................................................. 397
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 397
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 398
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 400
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 400
Defining the Equilibrium Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................ 401
Basic Settings .............................................................................................................................. 401
Component Definition ................................................................................................................... 401
Physics Definition ........................................................................................................................ 402
Interface Definition ...................................................................................................................... 403
Boundary Definition ..................................................................................................................... 403
Final Operations ........................................................................................................................... 403
Defining the Properties of Water ...................................................................................................... 403
Modifications to Domain and Boundary Conditions ............................................................................ 405
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 406
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 407
Obtaining a Solution for the Equilibrium Case ................................................................................... 407
Viewing the Equilibrium Case Results in CFD-Post ............................................................................ 407
Displaying the Equilibrium Solution Variables using Contour Plots ........................................................ 407
Defining the Non-Equilibrium Case in CFX-Pre ................................................................................. 408
Opening the Existing Simulation ..................................................................................................... 409
Modifying the Domains ................................................................................................................. 409
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 411
Obtaining a Solution for the Non-Equilibrium Case ............................................................................ 411
Viewing the Non-Equilibrium Case Results in CFD-Post ..................................................................... 412
Displaying the Non-Equilibrium Solution Variables using Contour Plots ................................................. 412
27. Modeling a Gear Pump using an Immersed Solid ........................................................................................... 415
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 415
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 416
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 417
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 417
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 417
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 417
Creating Expressions for Time Step and Total Time ............................................................................ 417
Setting the Analysis Type ............................................................................................................... 418
Creating the Domains .................................................................................................................... 418
Creating an Immersed Solid Domain ................................................................................................ 418
Creating the Stationary Fluid Domain .............................................................................................. 419
Creating the Rotating Fluid Domain ................................................................................................. 420
Creating the Domain Interface ........................................................................................................ 421
Creating Boundary Conditions ........................................................................................................ 422
Inlet Boundary ............................................................................................................................. 422
Outlet Boundary ........................................................................................................................... 423
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 423
Setting Output Control .................................................................................................................. 424
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 424
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 425
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 426
Creating a Chart of Mass Flow versus Time ....................................................................................... 426
Creating a Velocity Vector Plot ........................................................................................................ 427
Changing the Appearance in Preparation for an Animation ................................................................... 428
Creating a Keyframe Animation ...................................................................................................... 429
28. Drop Curve for Cavitating Flow in a Pump ................................................................................................... 431
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 431
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 431
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 432
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Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 433
High Pressure Simulation of Pump without Cavitation Model ............................................................... 433
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 433
Loading Materials ........................................................................................................................ 433
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 434
Creating the Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 434
Creating Domain Interfaces ............................................................................................................ 436
Setting Initial Values ..................................................................................................................... 437
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 437
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 438
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 438
Post-Processing the Solution for High-Pressure Simulation of Pump without Cavitation Model ................... 438
High Pressure Simulation of Pump with Cavitation Model ................................................................... 439
Defining the Simulation in CFX-Pre ................................................................................................ 439
Obtaining a Solution using CFX-Solver Manager ............................................................................... 442
Post-Processing the Solution for High-Pressure Simulation of Pump with Cavitation Model ....................... 442
Pump Simulation with Cavitation Model Over Range of Inlet Pressures .................................................. 442
Writing CFX-Solver Input (.def) Files for Lower Inlet Pressures ............................................................ 443
Obtaining Solutions using CFX-Solver Manager ................................................................................ 443
Viewing the Solution for the Pump Simulation with Cavitation Model .................................................... 444
29. Spray Dryer ........................................................................................................................................... 451
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 451
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 451
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 453
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 453
Defining a Steady-State Simulation in CFX-Pre ................................................................................. 453
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 453
Importing the Evaporating CCL Drops Model Template ....................................................................... 453
Editing the Domain ....................................................................................................................... 454
Creating and Editing the Boundary Conditions ................................................................................... 455
Creating a Domain Interface ........................................................................................................... 457
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 458
Setting Output Control .................................................................................................................. 458
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 459
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 459
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 459
Displaying the Temperature Using a Contour Plot ............................................................................... 459
Displaying the Water Mass Fraction Using a Contour Plot .................................................................... 460
Displaying the Liquid Water Averaged Mean Particle Diameter Using a Contour Plot ................................ 460
Displaying the Liquid Water Averaged Temperature Using a Contour Plot ............................................... 460
Displaying the Liquid Water Temperature Using Particle Tracking ......................................................... 460
Displaying the Diameter of a Water Drop Using Particle Tracking ......................................................... 461
30. Coal Combustion .................................................................................................................................... 463
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 463
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 463
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 465
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 465
Coal Combustion Simulation .......................................................................................................... 465
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 465
Importing the Coal Combustion Materials CCL File ............................................................................ 466
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 467
Creating the Boundary Conditions ................................................................................................... 468
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 474
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 475
Obtaining a Solution for the Simulation using CFX-Solver Manager ...................................................... 475
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 476
Coal Combustion Simulation with Swirl ........................................................................................... 477
Opening an Existing Simulation ...................................................................................................... 477
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Editing the Boundary Conditions ..................................................................................................... 477
Creating a Domain Interface ........................................................................................................... 478
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 479
Obtaining a Solution for the Simulation with Swirl using CFX-Solver Manager ....................................... 479
Viewing the Results for Simulation with Swirl in CFD-Post ................................................................. 479
Coal Combustion Simulation with Swirl and Nitrogen Oxide ................................................................ 480
Opening an Existing Simulation ...................................................................................................... 480
Editing the Domain ....................................................................................................................... 481
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 481
Obtaining a Solution for the Simulation with Swirl and Nitrogen Oxide using CFX-Solver Manager ............ 482
Viewing the Results for the Simulation with Swirl and Nitrogen Oxide in CFD-Post ................................. 482
31. Steam Jet ............................................................................................................................................... 483
Tutorial Features .......................................................................................................................... 483
Overview of the Problem to Solve ................................................................................................... 483
Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... 484
Starting CFX-Pre ......................................................................................................................... 484
Defining a Case in CFX-Pre ........................................................................................................... 484
Importing the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 485
Importing the Steam Jet CCL .......................................................................................................... 485
Creating a Steady State Analysis ..................................................................................................... 486
Creating and Loading Materials ...................................................................................................... 486
Creating the Domain ..................................................................................................................... 487
Creating Subdomains .................................................................................................................... 490
Creating Boundaries ..................................................................................................................... 494
Creating a Time Step Expression ..................................................................................................... 497
Setting Solver Control ................................................................................................................... 497
Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File .......................................................................................... 498
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager .............................................................................. 498
Viewing the Results in CFD-Post .................................................................................................... 498
Displaying the Steam Molar Fraction ............................................................................................... 498
Displaying the Gas to Liquid Mass Transfer Rate ............................................................................... 499
Displaying the Liquid to Gas Mass Transfer Rate ............................................................................... 499
Displaying the Gas to Liquid and Liquid to Gas Phase Transfer Rates in Synchronous Views ...................... 500
Creating a Chart to Plot the False Time Step Along a Line .................................................................... 500
32. Postprocessing Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in a Mixing Elbow ...................................................................... 503
Create a Working Directory ............................................................................................................ 504
Launch ANSYS CFD-Post ............................................................................................................. 505
Display the Solution in ANSYS CFD-Post ........................................................................................ 508
View and Check the Mesh .............................................................................................................. 511
View Simulation Values using the Function Calculator ......................................................................... 514
Become Familiar with the Viewer Controls ........................................................................................ 515
Create an Instance Reflection ......................................................................................................... 517
Show Velocity on the Symmetry Plane .............................................................................................. 518
Show Flow Distribution in the Elbow ............................................................................................... 520
Show the Vortex Structure .............................................................................................................. 523
Compare a Contour Plot to the Display of a Variable on a Boundary ....................................................... 524
Chart Temperature vs. Distance ....................................................................................................... 526
Create a Table to Show Mixing ....................................................................................................... 530
Review and Modify a Report .......................................................................................................... 532
Create a Custom Variable and Animate the Display ............................................................................. 533
Loading and Comparing the Results to Those in a Refined Mesh ........................................................... 534
Save Your Work ........................................................................................................................... 536
Generated Files ............................................................................................................................ 538
33. Turbo Postprocessing ............................................................................................................................... 539
Problem Description ..................................................................................................................... 539
Create a Working Directory ............................................................................................................ 540
Launching ANSYS CFD-Post ......................................................................................................... 541
Displaying the Solution in ANSYS CFD-Post .................................................................................... 545
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Initializing the Turbomachinery Components .....................................................................................
Comparing the Blade-to-Blade, Meridional, and 3D Views ...................................................................
Displaying Contours on Meridional Isosurfaces ..................................................................................
Displaying a 360-Degree View ........................................................................................................
Calculating and Displaying Values of Variables ..................................................................................
Displaying the Inlet to Outlet Chart ..................................................................................................
Generating and Viewing Turbo Reports .............................................................................................

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List of Figures
2.1. Static Mixer with 2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe ............................................................................................. 6
3.1. Static Mixer with 2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe ............................................................................................ 30
5.1. Injection Mixing Pipe ............................................................................................................................... 68
7.1. External Air Flow Over a Generic Vehicle Body ............................................................................................. 96
9.1. Mesh around the bump ............................................................................................................................ 137
13.1. Shear Stress of a Shear-thickening Fluid .................................................................................................... 184
13.2. Apparent Viscosity of a Shear-thickening Fluid ........................................................................................... 184
14.1. Geometry subsection ............................................................................................................................. 196
17.1. Cut-away Diagram of the Mixer ............................................................................................................... 243
17.2. Impeller Mesh Region ........................................................................................................................... 244
18.1. Cut-away Diagram of the Airlift Reactor ................................................................................................... 262
23.1. Project setup for two-way FSI analysis ...................................................................................................... 344
24.1. Static Mixer with 2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe ........................................................................................ 363
25.1. Modifying Control Points on the Hub Layer ............................................................................................... 386
25.2. Adding Edge Split Controls near the Leading Edge on the Hub Layer ............................................................. 387
25.3. Modifying Control Points on the Shroud Tip Layer ..................................................................................... 388
27.1. Velocity Vectors on the Outlet ................................................................................................................. 426
32.1. Problem Specification ............................................................................................................................ 504
32.2. The Hexahedral Grid for the Mixing Elbow ............................................................................................... 512
32.3. Orientation Control Cursor Types ............................................................................................................. 516
32.4. Right-click Menus Vary by Cursor Position ................................................................................................ 517
32.5. Velocity on the Symmetry Plane .............................................................................................................. 519
32.6. Velocity on the Symmetry Plane (Enhanced Contrast) .................................................................................. 520
32.7. Vector Plot of Velocity ........................................................................................................................... 521
32.8. Streamlines of Turbulence Kinetic Energy ................................................................................................. 522
32.9. Absolute Helicity Vortex ........................................................................................................................ 524
32.10. Boundary Pressure vs. a Contour Plot of Pressure ...................................................................................... 526
32.11. Chart of Output Temperatures at the Outlet .............................................................................................. 528
32.12. Chart of Output Temperatures at Two Locations ........................................................................................ 530
32.13. Comparing Contour Plots of Temperature on Two Mesh Densities ................................................................ 535
32.14. Displaying Differences in Contour Plots of Temperature on Two Mesh Densities ............................................. 536
33.1. Problem Specification ............................................................................................................................ 540

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List of Tables
15.1. Properties of the Dilute Sulfuric Acid Solution ...........................................................................................
15.2. Properties of the Dilute Sodium Hydroxide Solution ....................................................................................
15.3. Properties of the Salt Water Product .........................................................................................................
28.1. Pump Performance Data .........................................................................................................................

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Chapter 1. Introduction to the CFX Tutorials

The CFX tutorials are designed to introduce general techniques used in CFX and to provide tips on advanced
modeling.
The initial tutorials introduce general principles used in CFX, including setting up the physical models, running
CFX-Solver and visualizing the results in CFD-Post; the later tutorials highlight specialized features of CFX.

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS

CFX in Standalone Mode
ANSYS CFX uses a working directory as the default location for loading and saving files for a particular session
or project. Before you run a tutorial, you must create a working directory.

If you plan to run through the whole tutorial, copy the files that are listed near the beginning of the tutorial to
your working directory. These files are located in <CFXROOT>/examples and
<CFXROOT>/etc/model-templates, where <CFXROOT> is the installation directory for ANSYS CFX.
By working with copies of the example files in a new directory, you prevent accidental changes to any of the
files that came with your installation.

If you plan to run the provided tutorial session file so that you can immediately run the simulation in CFX-Solver,
there is no need to copy any files.

Before you start CFX-Pre, CFX-Solver Manager, or CFD-Post, set the working directory. The procedure for setting
the working directory and starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone is listed below:
1.

Start the ANSYS CFX Launcher.

You can start the ANSYS CFX Launcher in any of the following ways:

On Windows:

From the Start menu, select All Programs > ANSYS 12.1 > Fluid Dynamics > CFX.

In a DOS window that has its path set up correctly to run CFX, enter cfx5 (otherwise, you will need
to type the full pathname of the cfx5 command).

On UNIX, enter cfx5 in a terminal window that has its path set up to run CFX.

2.

Specify the Working Directory on the ANSYS CFX Launcher window.

3.

Click the CFX-Pre 12.1 button.

4.

If you were directed here at some point during a tutorial, return to that location.

Note
All tutorials assume that the CFX run history and multi-configuration options, under the Load Results
File dialog box in CFD-Post, is set to Load only the last results.

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench

Most ANSYS CFX tutorials are written to work in Standalone Mode. This section includes the steps required to
run these tutorials in ANSYS Workbench:

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 2)

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File (p. 2)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 2)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 2)

Creating CFX Component Systems for Multiple Simulations (As Required) (p. 3)

Closing the Applications (p. 3)

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Starting CFX-Pre

Tip
You may find it useful to open the ANSYS CFX help from the ANSYS CFX Launcher (which does not
take up a license).

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

Start ANSYS Workbench.

To launch ANSYS Workbench on Windows, click the Start menu, then select All Programs > ANSYS
12.1 > Workbench.

To launch ANSYS Workbench on Linux, open a command line interface, type the path to runwb2 (for
example, ~/ansys_inc/v121/Framework/bin/Linux64/runwb2), then press Enter.

2.

From the tool bar, click Save As and use the Save in field to set the directory to which you want to save the
project file. This directory will be referred to as the working directory. Set the project name in the File name
field and click Save.

3.

In the Toolbox pane, open Component Systems and double-click CFX. A CFX system opens in the Project
Schematic.

Note
You use a CFX component system because you are starting with a mesh. If you want to create the
geometry and mesh, you will start with a Fluid Flow (CFX) system.
4.

Type in the new name, such as System 1, to replace the highlighted text below the system.
Alternatively, you can right-click the first cell in the system and select Rename. The name will be highlighted.
Now you can change the highlighted text by typing in the new name.

5.

In the Project Schematic, right-click the Setup cell and select Edit to launch CFX-Pre.

6.

Continue from the Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre section of your tutorial.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

When running ANSYS CFX within ANSYS Workbench, no action is required for this section of the tutorial. The
required files are automatically transferred between the cells within the CFX component system. Continue from
Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 2).

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

Once the simulation setup is complete, the Solution cell prompts you to refresh it. To refresh that cell:

Right-click the Solution cell and select Refresh.

Note
If the Solution cell displays a prompt to perform an update, ignore it and proceed to the next step.
To obtain a solution, you need to launch the CFX-Solver Manager and subsequently use it to start the solver:
1.

Double-click the ANSYS Workbench Solution cell. The CFX-Solver Manager appears with the Define Run
dialog box displayed.

2.

Continue from the Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager section of the tutorial.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

When CFX-Solver has finished, a completion message appears in a dialog box. Click OK.
Alternatively, a message saying This run of the ANSYS CFX-Solver has finished is displayed in the final line of the
*.out file in the CFX-Solver Manager.

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Creating CFX Component Systems for Multiple Simulations (As Required)

Once CFX-Solver has finished, you can use CFD-Post to review the finished results. At this point, the Results cell
in ANSYS Workbench prompts you to refresh:
1.

Right-click the Results cell and select Refresh.

2.

When the refresh is complete, double-click the Results cell to open CFD-Post.

3.

Continue from the Viewing the Results in CFD-Post section of the tutorial.

If this is the final section of your tutorial, continue from Closing the Applications (p. 3). If you are Running
ANSYS CFX Tutorials with a Sequence of Multiple Simulations continue from Creating CFX Component Systems
for Multiple Simulations (As Required) (p. 3).

Creating CFX Component Systems for Multiple Simulations

(As Required)
Now that you have set the physics in the initial state, you will duplicate the CFX component system created earlier
and edit the physics in the new system. To duplicate the existing CFX component system:
1.

In the ANSYS Workbench Project Schematic, right-click the first cell in the System 1 system and select
Duplicate.
A new system named Copy of System 1 will appear in the Project Schematic.

2.

Type in the new name System 2 to replace the highlighted text below the system.

3.

Click the Solution cell of the System 1 and drag it to the Solution cell of the System 2.
You will now see a line, indicating a transfer connection, going from Solution cell of the System 1 to the
Solution cell of the System 2.

4.

Once, you have set up the new CFX component system, continue from Step 5 of Starting CFX-Pre (p. 2).

Note
In the tutorial, ignore the steps that tell you to set the initial values file in the Define Run dialog
box for CFX-Solver Manager. Dragging the solution cell between systems automatically sets the
initialization options in CFX-Solver Manager.

Closing the Applications

Close ANSYS Workbench (and the applications it launched) by selecting File > Exit from ANSYS Workbench.
ANSYS Workbench prompts you to save all your project files.

Playing a Tutorial Session File

Every tutorial involves instructions for setting up a simulation in CFX-Pre. If you want to skip past those instructions
and have CFX-Pre set up the simulation automatically, you can run the tutorial session file specified in the tutorial.1

Note
Session files and tutorial session files can be played only in ANSYS CFX standalone, not in ANSYS
Workbench.
To play a tutorial session file:
1.

If required, launch CFX-Pre.

2.

Select Session > Play Tutorial.

3.

Select the required tutorial session file (filename.pre) for the tutorial. This file is located in
<CFXROOT>/examples and <CFXROOT>/etc/model-templates, where <CFXROOT> is the
installation directory for ANSYS CFX.

Some tutorials have more than one tutorial session file; each covers a particular set of CFX-Pre setup instructions.

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Changing the Display Colors

4.

Click Open.

5.

If an Information dialog box appears, click OK. CFX-Pre writes a CFX-Solver input file (filename.def)
in the directory set as your Working Directory. This file is written in the background while CFX-Pre remains
open.

6.

On the CFX-Pre menu bar, select File > Quit.

7.

On the ANSYS CFX Launcher click the CFX-Solver Manager 12.1 button.

8.

On the CFX-Solver Manager menu bar, select File > Define Run. The Define Run dialog box appears.

9.

On the Define Run dialog box, click the browse button

choose the filename.def file and click Open.

. In the CFX-Solver File dialog box that appears,

10. If you were directed here at some point during a tutorial, return to that location.

Changing the Display Colors

If viewing objects in ANSYS CFX becomes difficult due to contrast with the background, you can change the colors
for improved viewing. The color options are set in different places, depending on how you run CFX:
1.

Select Edit > Options.

The Options dialog box appears.

2.

Adjust the color settings under CFX-Pre > Graphics Style (for CFX-Pre) or CFD-Post > Viewer
(for CFD-Post).

3.

Click OK.

4.

If you were directed here at some point during a tutorial, return to that location.

Editor Buttons
The ANSYS CFX interface uses editors to enter the data required to set up and post-process a simulation. The
editors have standard buttons, which are described next:

Apply applies the information contained within all the tabs of an editor.

OK is the same as Apply, except that the editor automatically closes.

Cancel and Close both close the editor without applying or saving any changes.

Reset returns the settings for the object to those stored in the database for all the tabs. The settings are stored
in the database each time the Apply button is clicked.

Defaults restores the system default settings for all the tabs of the edited object.

Using Help
To invoke the help browser, select Help > Master Contents.
You may also try using context-sensitive help. Context-sensitive help is provided for many of the details views and
other parts of the interface. To invoke the context-sensitive help for a particular details view or other feature, ensure
that the feature is active, place the mouse pointer over it, then press F1. Not every area of the interface supports
context-sensitive help. If context-sensitive help is not available for the feature of interest, select Help > Master
Contents and try using the search or index features in the help browser.

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Chapter 2. Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer

Using CFX in Standalone Mode
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 5)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 6)

Before You Begin (p. 6)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 6)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 6)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 12)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 14)

This tutorial simulates a static mixer consisting of two inlet pipes delivering water into a mixing vessel; the water
exits through an outlet pipe. A general workflow is established for analyzing the flow of fluid into and out of a
mixer.

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Using Quick Setup mode in CFX-Pre to set up a problem.

Modifying the outline plot in CFD-Post.

Using streamlines in CFD-Post to trace the flow field from a point.

Viewing temperature using colored planes and contours in CFD-Post.

Creating an animation and saving it to an MPEG file.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

Quick Setup Wizard

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Thermal Energy

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Adiabatic

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Plots

Animation
Contour
Outline Plot (Wireframe)
Point

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Slice Plane
Streamline

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial simulates a static mixer consisting of two inlet pipes delivering water into a mixing vessel; the water
exits through an outlet pipe. A general workflow is established for analyzing the flow of fluid into and out of a
mixer.
Water enters through both pipes at the same rate but at different temperatures. The first entry is at a rate of 2 m/s
and a temperature of 315 K and the second entry is at a rate of 2 m/s at a temperature of 285 K. The radius of the
mixer is 2 m.
Your goal in this tutorial is to understand how to use CFX to determine the speed and temperature of the water
when it exits the static mixer.

Figure 2.1. Static Mixer with 2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe

Before You Begin

Before you begin this tutorial, review the following topics:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

StaticMixerMesh.gtm

StaticMixer.pre

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

Because you are starting with an existing mesh, you can immediately use CFX-Pre to define the simulation. This
is how CFX-Pre will look with the imported mesh:

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Synopsis of Quick Setup Mode

In the image above, the left pane of CFX-Pre displays the Outline workspace. When you double-click items in the
Outline, the Outline editor opens and can be used to create, modify, and view objects.

Note
In this documentation, the details view can also be referenced by the name of the object being edited,
followed by the word details view (for example, if you double-click the Wireframe object, the
Wireframe details view appears).

Synopsis of Quick Setup Mode

Quick Setup mode provides a simple wizard-like interface for setting up simple cases. This is useful for getting
familiar with the basic elements of a CFD problem setup. This section describes using Quick Setup mode to develop
a simulation in CFX-Pre.

Workflow Overview
This tutorial follows the general workflow for Quick Setup mode:
1.

Creating a New Case (p. 8)

2.

Setting the Physics Definition (p. 8)

3.

Importing a Mesh (p. 8)

4.

Defining Model Data (p. 9)

5.

Defining Boundaries (p. 9)

6.

Setting Boundary Data (p. 10)

7.

Setting Flow Specification (p. 10)

8.

Setting Temperature Specification (p. 10)

9.

Reviewing the Boundary Condition Definitions (p. 10)

10. Creating the Second Inlet Boundary Definition (p. 10)

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Creating a New Case

11. Creating the Outlet Boundary Definition (p. 11)
12. Moving to General Mode (p. 11)
13. Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File (p. 12)

Creating a New Case

Before importing and working with a mesh, a simulation needs to be started using Quick Setup mode.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

The New Case File dialog box is displayed.

2.

Select Quick Setup and click OK.

Note
If this is the first time you are running this software, a message box will appear notifying you that
automatic generation of the default domain is active. To avoid seeing this message again uncheck
Show This Message Again.
3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type: StaticMixer

5.

Click Save.

Setting the Physics Definition

You need to specify the fluids used in a simulation. A variety of fluids are already defined as library materials. For
this tutorial you will use a prepared fluid, Water, which is defined to be water at 25C.
1.

Ensure that Simulation Definition is displayed at the top of the details view.

2.

Under Fluid select Water.

Importing a Mesh
At least one mesh must be imported before physics are applied.
1.

In Simulation Definition, under Mesh File, click Browse

The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

2.

Under Files of type, select CFX Mesh (*gtm *cfx).

3.

From your working directory, select StaticMixerMesh.gtm.

4.

Click Open.
The mesh loads.

5.

Click Next.

Using the Viewer

Now that the mesh is loaded, take a moment to explore how you can use the viewer toolbar to zoom in or out and
to rotate the object in the viewer.

Using the Zoom Tools

There are several icons available for controlling the level of zoom in the viewer.
1.

Click Zoom Box

2.

Click and drag a rectangular box over the geometry.

3.

Release the mouse button to zoom in on the selection.

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Defining Model Data

The geometry zoom changes to display the selection at a greater resolution.
4.

Click Fit View

to re-center and re-scale the geometry.

Rotating the Geometry

If you need to rotate an object or to view it from a new angle, you can use the viewer toolbar.
on the viewer toolbar.

1.

Click Rotate

2.

Click and drag within the geometry repeatedly to test the rotation of the geometry.
The geometry rotates based on the direction of movement.
Notice how the mouse cursor changes depending on where you are in the viewer:

3.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards-X.

4.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z Up).
A clearer view of the mesh is displayed.

Defining Model Data

You need to define the type of flow and the physical models to use in the fluid domain.
You will specify the flow as steady state with turbulence and heat transfer. Turbulence is modeled using the k-
turbulence model and heat transfer using the thermal energy model. The k- turbulence model is a commonly used
model and is suitable for a wide range of applications. The thermal energy model neglects high speed energy effects
and is therefore suitable for low speed flow applications.
1.

Ensure that Physics Definition is displayed.

2.

Under Model Data, set Reference Pressure to 1 [atm].

All other pressure settings are relative to this reference pressure.

3.

Set Heat Transfer to Thermal Energy.

4.

Set Turbulence to k-Epsilon.

5.

Click Next.

Defining Boundaries
The CFD model requires the definition of conditions on the boundaries of the domain.
1.

Ensure that Boundary Definition is displayed.

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Setting Boundary Data

2.

Delete Inlet and Outlet from the list by right-clicking each and selecting Delete Boundary.

3.

Right-click in the blank area where Inlet and Outlet were listed, then select Add Boundary.

4.

Set Name to in1.

5.

Click OK.
The boundary is created and, when selected, properties related to the boundary are displayed.

Setting Boundary Data

Once boundaries are created, you need to create associated data. Based on Figure 2.1, Static Mixer with 2 Inlet
Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe (p. 6), you will define the velocity and temperature for the first inlet.
1.

Ensure that Boundary Data is displayed.

2.

Set Boundary Type to Inlet.

3.

Set Location to in1.

Setting Flow Specification

Once boundary data is defined, the boundary needs to have the flow specification assigned.
1.

Ensure that Flow Specification is displayed.

2.

Set Option to Normal Speed.

3.

Set Normal Speed to 2 [m s^-1].

Setting Temperature Specification

Once flow specification is defined, the boundary needs to have temperature assigned.
1.

Ensure that Temperature Specification is displayed.

2.

Set Static Temperature to 315 [K].

Reviewing the Boundary Condition Definitions

Defining the boundary condition for in1 required several steps. Here the settings are reviewed for accuracy.
Based on Figure 2.1, Static Mixer with 2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe (p. 6), the first inlet boundary condition
consists of a velocity of 2 m/s and a temperature of 315 K at one of the side inlets.

Review the boundary in1 settings for accuracy. They should be as follows:
Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Data

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

in1

Option

Normal Speed

Normal Speed

2 [m s^-1]

Static Temperature

315 [K]

Flow Specification

Temperature Specification

Creating the Second Inlet Boundary Definition

Based on Figure 2.1, Static Mixer with 2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe (p. 6), you know the second inlet boundary
condition consists of a velocity of 2 m/s and a temperature of 285 K at one of the side inlets. You will define that
now.
1.

Under Boundary Definition, right-click in the selector area and select Add Boundary.

2.

Create a new boundary named in2 with these settings:

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Creating the Outlet Boundary Definition

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Data

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

in2

Option

Normal Speed

Normal Speed

2 [m s^-1]

Static Temperature

285 [K]

Flow Specification

Temperature Specification

Creating the Outlet Boundary Definition

Now that the second inlet boundary has been created, the same concepts can be applied to building the outlet
boundary.
1.

Create a new boundary named out with these settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Data

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

out

Option

Average Static Pressure

Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Flow Specification

2.

Click Next.

Moving to General Mode

There are no further boundary conditions that need to be set. All 2D exterior regions that have not been assigned
to a boundary condition are automatically assigned to the default boundary condition.

Set Operation to Enter General Mode and click Finish.

The three boundary conditions are displayed in the viewer as sets of arrows at the boundary surfaces. Inlet
boundary arrows are directed into the domain. Outlet boundary arrows are directed out of the domain.

Setting Solver Control

Solver Control parameters control aspects of the numerical solution generation process.
While an upwind advection scheme is less accurate than other advection schemes, it is also more robust. This
advection scheme is suitable for obtaining an initial set of results, but in general should not be used to obtain final
accurate results.
The time scale can be calculated automatically by the solver or set manually. The Automatic option tends to be
conservative, leading to reliable, but often slow, convergence. It is often possible to accelerate convergence by
applying a time scale factor or by choosing a manual value that is more aggressive than the Automatic option.
In this tutorial, you will select a physical time scale, leading to convergence that is twice as fast as the Automatic
option.
1.

Click Solver Control

2.

On the Basic Settings tab, set Advection Scheme > Option to Upwind.

3.

Set Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control > Timescale Control to Physical Timescale
and set the physical timescale value to 2 [s].

4.

Click OK.

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

The simulation file, StaticMixer.cfx, contains the simulation definition in a format that can be loaded by
CFX-Pre, allowing you to complete (if applicable), restore, and modify the simulation definition. The simulation
file differs from the CFX-Solver input file in that it can be saved at any time while defining the simulation.
1.

Click Define Run

2.

Set File name to StaticMixer.def.

3.

Click Save.
The CFX-Solver input file (StaticMixer.def) is created. CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and,
on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If you are notified the file already exists, click Overwrite.

This file is provided in the tutorial directory and may exist in your working directory if you have copied it
there.

5.

When you are finished, select File > Quit in CFX-Pre.

6.

If prompted, click Yes or Save & Quit to save StaticMixer.cfx.

7.

Proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 12).

Playing the Session File and Starting CFX-Solver Manager

Note
This task is required only if you are starting here with the session file that was provided in the examples
directory. If you have performed all the tasks in the previous steps, proceed directly to Obtaining a
Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 12).
Events in CFX-Pre can be recorded to a session file and then played back at a later date to drive CFX-Pre. Session
files have been created for each tutorial so that the problems can be set up rapidly in CFX-Pre, if desired.
1.

If required, launch CFX-Pre.

2.

Select Session > Play Tutorial.

3.

Select StaticMixer.pre.

4.

Click Open.
A CFX-Solver input file is written.

5.

Select File > Quit.

6.

Launch the CFX-Solver Manager from CFX Launcher.

7.

After the CFX-Solver starts, select File > Define Run.

8.

Under CFX-Solver Input File, click Browse

9.

Select StaticMixer.def, located in the working directory.

10. Proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 12).

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

CFX-Solver Manager has a visual interface that displays a variety of results and should be used when plotted data
needs to be viewed during problem solving.
Two windows are displayed when CFX-Solver Manager runs. There is an adjustable split between the windows,
which is oriented either horizontally or vertically depending on the aspect ratio of the entire CFX-Solver Manager
window (also adjustable).

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Start the Run

One window shows the convergence history plots and the other displays text output from CFX-Solver.
The text lists physical properties, boundary conditions and various other parameters used or calculated in creating
the model. All the text is written to the output file automatically (in this case, StaticMixer_001.out).

Start the Run

The Define Run dialog box allows configuration of a run for processing by CFX-Solver.
When CFX-Solver Manager is launched automatically from CFX-Pre, all of the information required to perform a
new serial run (on a single processor) is entered automatically. You do not need to alter the information in the Define
Run dialog box. This is a very quick way to launch into CFX-Solver without having to define settings and values.
1.

Ensure that the Define Run dialog box is displayed.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver launches and a split screen appears and displays the results of the run graphically and as text. The
panes continue to build as CFX-Solver Manager operates.

Note
Once the second iteration appears, data begins to plot. Plotting may take a long time depending on
the amount of data to process. Let the process run.

Move from CFX-Solver to CFD-Post

Once CFX-Solver has finished, you can use CFD-Post to review the finished results.
1.

When CFX-Solver is finished, select the check box next to Post-Process Results.

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

2.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

3.

Click OK. After a short pause, CFX-Solver Manager closes and CFD-Post opens.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

When CFD-Post starts, the viewer and Outline workspace are displayed.

The viewer displays an outline of the geometry and other graphic objects. You can use the mouse or the toolbar
icons to manipulate the view, exactly as in CFX-Pre.

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Workflow Overview

Workflow Overview
This tutorial describes the following workflow for viewing results in CFD-Post:
1.

Setting the Edge Angle for a Wireframe Object (p. 15)

2.

Creating a Point for the Origin of the Streamline (p. 16)

3.

Creating a Streamline Originating from a Point (p. 16)

4.

Rearranging the Point (p. 17)

5.

Configuring a Default Legend (p. 18)

6.

Creating a Slice Plane (p. 19)

7.

Defining Slice Plane Geometry (p. 19)

8.

Configuring Slice Plane Views (p. 20)

9.

Rendering Slice Planes (p. 20)

10. Coloring the Slice Plane (p. 21)

11. Moving the Slice Plane (p. 22)
12. Adding Contours (p. 22)
13. Working with Animations (p. 23)
14. Showing the Animation Dialog Box (p. 23)
15. Creating the First Keyframe (p. 24)
16. Creating the Second Keyframe (p. 25)
17. Viewing the Animation (p. 26)
18. Modifying the Animation (p. 27)
19. Saving a Movie (p. 28)

Setting the Edge Angle for a Wireframe Object

The outline of the geometry is called the wireframe or outline plot.
By default, CFD-Post displays only some of the surface mesh. This sometimes means that when you first load your
results file, the geometry outline is not displayed clearly. You can control the amount of the surface mesh shown
by editing the Wireframe object listed in the Outline tree view.
The check boxes next to each object name in the Outline control the visibility of each object. Currently only the
Wireframe and Default Legend objects have visibility turned on.
The edge angle determines how much of the surface mesh is visible. If the angle between two adjacent faces is
greater than the edge angle, then that edge is drawn. If the edge angle is set to 0, the entire surface mesh is drawn.
If the edge angle is large, then only the most significant corner edges of the geometry are drawn.
For this geometry, a setting of approximately 15 lets you view the model location without displaying an excessive
amount of the surface mesh.
In this module you can also modify the zoom settings and view of the wireframe.
1.

In the Outline, under User Locations and Plots, double-click Wireframe.

Tip
While it is not necessary to change the view to set the angle, do so to explore the practical uses of
this feature.
2.

Right-click a blank area anywhere in the viewer, select Predefined Camera from the shortcut menu, and select
Isometric View (Z up).

3.

In the Wireframe details view, under Definition, click in the Edge Angle box.
An embedded slider is displayed.

4.

Type a value of 10 [degree].

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15

Creating a Point for the Origin of the Streamline

5.

Click Apply to update the object with the new setting.

Notice that more surface mesh is displayed.

6.

Drag the embedded slider to set the Edge Angle value to approximately 45 [degree].

7.

Click Apply to update the object with the new setting.

Less of the outline of the geometry is displayed.

8.

Type a value of 15 [degree].

9.

Click Apply to update the object with the new setting.

Creating a Point for the Origin of the Streamline

A streamline is the path that a particle of zero mass would follow through the domain.
1.

Select Insert > Location > Point from the main menu.
You can also use the toolbars to create a variety of objects. Later modules and tutorials explore this further.

2.

Click OK.
This accepts the default name.

3.

Under Definition, ensure that Method is set to XYZ.

4.

Under Point, enter the following coordinates: -1, -1, 1.

This is a point near the first inlet.

5.

Click Apply.
The point appears as a symbol in the viewer as a crosshair symbol.

Creating a Streamline Originating from a Point

Where applicable, streamlines can trace the flow direction forwards (downstream) and/or backwards (upstream).
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Rearranging the Point

1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Streamline.

2.

Click OK.

3.

Set Definition > Start From to Point 1.

Tip
To create streamlines originating from more than one location, click the Ellipsis
icon to the
right of the Start From box. This displays the Location Selector dialog box, where you can use
the Ctrl and Shift keys to pick multiple locators.
4.

Click the Color tab.

5.

Set Mode to Variable.

6.

Set Variable to Total Temperature.

7.

Set Range to Local.

8.

Click Apply.
The streamline shows the path of a zero mass particle from Point 1. The temperature is initially high near
the hot inlet, but as the fluid mixes the temperature drops.

Rearranging the Point

Once created, a point can be rearranged manually or by setting specific coordinates.

Tip
In this module, you may choose to display various views and zooms from the Predefined Camera option
in the shortcut menu (such as Isometric View (Z up) or View Towards -X) and by using Zoom Box
if you prefer to change the display.
1.

In Outline, under User Locations and Plots double-click Point 1.

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Configuring a Default Legend

Properties for the selected user location are displayed.
2.

Under Point, set these coordinates: -1, -2.9, 1.

3.

Click Apply.
The point is moved and the streamline redrawn.

4.

In the viewer toolbar, click Select

and ensure that the adjacent toolbar icon is set to Single Select

While in select mode, you cannot use the left mouse button to re-orient the object in the viewer.
5.

In the viewer, drag Point 1 (appears as a yellow addition sign) to a new location within the mixer.
The point position is updated in the details view and the streamline is redrawn at the new location. The point
moves normal in relation to the viewing direction.

6.

Click Rotate

Tip
You can also click in the viewer area, and press the space bar to toggle between Select and Viewing
Mode. A way to pick objects from Viewing Mode is to hold down Ctrl + Shift while clicking on
an object with the left mouse button.
7.

Under Point, reset these coordinates: -1, -1, 1.

8.

Click Apply.
The point appears at its original location.

9.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -X.

Configuring a Default Legend

You can modify the appearance of the default legend.
The default legend appears whenever a plot is created that is colored by a variable. The streamline color is based
on temperature; therefore, the legend shows the temperature range. The color pattern on the legend's color bar is
banded in accordance with the bands in the plot1.
The default legend displays values for the last eligible plot that was opened in the details view. To maintain a legend
definition during a CFD-Post session, you can create a new legend by clicking Legend

Because there are many settings that can be customized for the legend, this module allows you the freedom to
experiment with them. In the last steps you will set up a legend, based on the default legend, with a minor modification
to the position.

Tip
When editing values, you can restore the values that were present when you began editing by clicking
Reset. To restore the factory-default values, click Default.
1.

Double-click Default Legend View 1.

The Definition tab of the default legend is displayed.

An exception occurs when one or more bands in a contour plot represent values beyond the legend's range. In this case, such bands are colored using a color
that is extrapolated slightly past the range of colors shown in the legend. This can happen only when a user-specified range is used for the legend.

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Creating a Slice Plane

2.

3.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Definition

Title Mode

User Specified

Title

Streamline Temp.

Horizontal

(Selected)

Location > Y Justification

Bottom

Click Apply.
The appearance and position of the legend changes based on the settings specified.

4.

Modify various settings in Definition and click Apply after each change.

5.

Select the Appearance tab.

6.

Modify a variety of settings in the Appearance and click Apply after each change.

7.

Click Defaults.

8.

Click Apply.

9.

Under Outline, in User Locations and Plots, clear the check boxes for Point 1 and Streamline
1.
Since both are no longer visible, the associated legend no longer appears.

Creating a Slice Plane

Defining a slice plane allows you to obtain a cross-section of the geometry.
In CFD-Post you often view results by coloring a graphic object. The graphic object could be an isosurface, a vector
plot, or in this case, a plane. The object can be a fixed color or it can vary based on the value of a variable.
You already have some objects defined by default (listed in the Outline). You can view results on the boundaries
of the static mixer by coloring each boundary object by a variable. To view results within the geometry (that is, on
non-default locators), you will create new objects.
You can use the following methods to define a plane:

Three Points: creates a plane from three specified points.

Point and Normal: defines a plane from one point on the plane and a normal vector to the plane.

YZ Plane, ZX Plane, and XY Plane: similar to Point and Normal, except that the normal is defined
to be normal to the indicated plane.

1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Location > Plane or click Location > Plane.

2.

In the Insert Plane window, type: Slice

3.

Click OK.
The Geometry, Color, Render, and View tabs let you switch between settings.

4.

Click the Geometry tab.

Defining Slice Plane Geometry

You need to choose the vector normal to the plane. You want the plane to lie in the x-y plane, hence its normal
vector points along the z-axis. You can specify any vector that points in the z-direction, but you will choose the
most obvious (0,0,1).
1.

If required, under Geometry, expand Definition.

2.

Under Method select Point and Normal.

3.

Under Point enter 0,0,1.

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Configuring Slice Plane Views

4.

Under Normal enter 0, 0,1.

5.

Ensure that the Plane Type > Slice is selected.

6.

Click Apply.
Slice appears under User Locations and Plots. Rotate the view to see the plane.

Configuring Slice Plane Views

Depending on the view of the geometry, various objects may not appear because they fall in a 2D space that cannot
be seen.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).
The slice is now visible in the viewer.

2.

Click Zoom Box

3.

Click and drag a rectangular selection over the geometry.

4.

Release the mouse button to zoom in on the selection.

5.

Click Rotate

6.

Click and drag the mouse pointer down slightly to rotate the geometry towards you.

7.

Select Isometric View (Z up) as described earlier.

Rendering Slice Planes

Render settings determine how the plane is drawn.
1.

In the details view for Slice, select the Render tab.

2.

Clear Show Faces.

3.

Select Show Mesh Lines.

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Coloring the Slice Plane

4.

Under Show Mesh Lines change Color Mode to User Specified.

5.

Click the current color in Line Color to change to a different color.

For a greater selection of colors, click the Ellipsis

6.

Click Apply.

7.

Click Zoom Box

8.

Zoom in on the geometry to view it in greater detail.

icon to use the Select color dialog box.

The line segments show where the slice plane intersects with mesh element faces. The end points of each line
segment are located where the plane intersects mesh element edges.
9.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards +Z.
The image shown below can be used for comparison with Flow in a Static Mixer (Refined Mesh) (p. 53) (in
the section Creating a Slice Plane (p. 60)), where a refined mesh is used.

Coloring the Slice Plane

The Color panel is used to determine how the object faces are colored.
1.

Apply the following settings to Slice

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variablea

Variable

Temperature

Show Faces

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines

(Cleared)

Render

a
You can specify the variable (in this case, temperature) used to color the graphic element. The Constant mode allows you to color the
plane with a fixed color.

2.

Click Apply.

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Moving the Slice Plane

Hot water (red) enters from one inlet and cold water (blue) from the other.

Moving the Slice Plane

The plane can be moved to different locations.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up) from the
shortcut menu.

2.

Click the Geometry tab.

Review the settings in Definition under Point and under Normal.

3.

Click Single Select

4.

Click and drag the plane to a new location that intersects the domain.
As you drag the mouse, the viewer updates automatically. Note that Point updates with new settings.

5.

Set Point settings to 0,0,1.

6.

Click Apply.

7.

Click Rotate

8.

Turn off visibility of Slice by clearing the check box next to Slice in the Outline tree view.

Adding Contours
Contours connect all points of equal value for a scalar variable (for example, Temperature) and help to visualize
variable values and gradients. Colored bands fill the spaces between contour lines. Each band is colored by the
average color of its two bounding contour lines (even if the latter are not displayed).
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up) from the
shortcut menu.

2.

Select Insert > Contour from the main menu or click Contour

The Insert Contour dialog box is displayed.

3.

Set Name to Slice Contour.

4.

Click OK.

5.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

Slice

Variable

Temperature

Show Contour Bands

(Selected)

Render
6.

Click Apply.

Important
The colors of 3D graphics object faces are slightly altered when lighting is on. To view colors with
highest accuracy, go to the Render tab and, under Show Contour Bands, clear Lighting and click
Apply.
The graphic element faces are visible, producing a contour plot as shown.

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Working with Animations

Note
Make sure that the visibility for Slice (in the Outline tree view) is turned off.

Working with Animations

Animations build transitions between views for development of video files.

Workflow Overview
This tutorial follows the general workflow for creating a keyframe animation:
1.

Showing the Animation Dialog Box (p. 23)

2.

Creating the First Keyframe (p. 24)

3.

Creating the Second Keyframe (p. 25)

4.

Viewing the Animation (p. 26)

5.

Modifying the Animation (p. 27)

6.

Saving a Movie (p. 28)

Showing the Animation Dialog Box

The Animation dialog box is used to define keyframes and to export to a video file.

Select Tools > Animation or click Animation

The Animation dialog box can be repositioned as required.

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Creating the First Keyframe

Creating the First Keyframe

Keyframes are required in order to produce an animation. You need to define the first viewer state, a second (and
final) viewer state, and set the number of interpolated intermediate frames.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).

2.

In the Outline, under User Locations and Plots, turn off the visibility of Slice Contour and
turn on the visibility of Slice.

3.

Select the Keyframe Animation toggle.

4.

In the Animation dialog box, click New

A new keyframe named KeyframeNo1 is created. This represents the current image displayed in the viewer.

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Creating the Second Keyframe

Creating the Second Keyframe

Define the second keyframe and the number of intermediate frames:
1.

In the Outline, under User Locations and Plots, double-click Slice.

2.

On the Geometry tab, set Point coordinate values to (0,0,-1.99).

3.

Click Apply.
The slice plane moves to the bottom of the mixer.

4.

In the Animation dialog box, click New

KeyframeNo2 is created and represents the image displayed in the viewer.

5.

Select KeyframeNo1.

6.

Set # of Frames (located below the list of keyframes) to 20.

This is the number of intermediate frames used when going from KeyframeNo1 to KeyframeNo2. This
number is displayed in the Frames column for KeyframeNo1.

7.

Press Enter.
The Frame # column shows the frame in which each keyframe appears. KeyframeNo1 appears at frame 1
since it defines the start of the animation. KeyframeNo2 is at frame 22 since you have 20 intermediate frames
(frames 2 to 21) in between KeyframeNo1 and KeyframeNo2.

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Viewing the Animation

Viewing the Animation

More keyframes could be added, but this animation has only two keyframes (which is the minimum possible).
The controls previously greyed-out in the Animation dialog box are now available. The number of intermediate
frames between keyframes is listed beside the keyframe having the lowest number of the pair. The number of frames
listed beside the last keyframe is ignored.
1.

Click To Beginning

This ensures that the animation will begin at the first keyframe.
2.

Click Play the animation

The animation plays from frame 1 to frame 22. It plays relatively slowly because the slice plane must be updated
for each frame.
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Modifying the Animation

Modifying the Animation

To make the plane sweep through the whole geometry, you will set the starting position of the plane to be at the
top of the mixer. You will also modify the Range properties of the plane so that it shows the temperature variation
better. As the animation is played, you can see the hot and cold water entering the mixer. Near the bottom of the
mixer (where the water flows out) you can see that the temperature is quite uniform. The new temperature range
lets you view the mixing process more accurately than the global range used in the first animation.
1.

2.

Apply the following settings to Slice

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Point

0, 0, 1.99

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Temperature

Range

User Specified

Min

295 [K]

Max

305 [K]

Click Apply.
The slice plane moves to the top of the static mixer.

Note
Do not double-click in the next step.
3.

In the Animation dialog box, single click (do not double-click) KeyframeNo1 to select it.
If you had double-clicked KeyFrameNo1, the plane and viewer states would have been redefined according
to the stored settings for KeyFrameNo1. If this happens, click Undo

4.

Click Set Keyframe

and try again to select the keyframe.

The image in the viewer replaces the one previously associated with KeyframeNo1.
5.

Double-click KeyframeNo2.
The object properties for the slice plane are updated according to the settings in KeyFrameNo2.

6.

Apply the following settings to Slice

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Temperature

Range

User Specified

Min

295 [K]

Max

305 [K]

7.

Click Apply.

8.

In the Animation dialog box, single-click KeyframeNo2.

9.

Click Set Keyframe

to save the new settings to KeyframeNo2.

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Saving a Movie

Saving a Movie
1.

Click More Animation Options

to view the additional options.

The Loop and Bounce radio buttons determine what happens when the animation reaches the last keyframe.
When Loop is selected, the animation repeats itself the number of times defined by Repeat. When Bounce is
selected, every other cycle is played in reverse order, starting with the second.
2.

Select the check box next to Save Movie.

3.

Click Browse

4.

Set Format to MPEG1.

5.

Under File name type: StaticMixer.mpg

6.

If required, set the path location to a different directory.

7.

Click Save.

next to Save Movie.

The movie file name (including path) has been set, but the animation has not yet been produced.
8.

Click To Beginning

9.

Click Play the animation

10. If prompted to overwrite an existing movie click Overwrite.

The animation plays and builds an MPEG file.
11. Click the Options button at the bottom of the Animation dialog box.
In Advanced, you can see that a Frame Rate of 24 frames per second was used to create the animation. The
animation you produced contains a total of 22 frames, so it takes just under 1 second to play in a media player.
12. Click Cancel to close the dialog box.
13. Close the Animation dialog box.
14. Review the animation in third-party software as required.

Quitting CFD-Post
When finished with CFD-Post, exit the current window:
1.

When you are finished, select File > Quit to exit CFD-Post.

2.

Click Quit if prompted to save.

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Chapter 3. Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer

Using Workbench
This tutorial simulates a static mixer consisting of two inlet pipes delivering water into a mixing vessel; the water
exits through an outlet pipe. A general workflow is established for analyzing the flow of fluid into and out of a
mixer using ANSYS Workbench.
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 29)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 30)

Before You Begin (p. 30)

Starting ANSYS Workbench (p. 30)

Starting CFX-Pre from ANSYS Workbench (p. 31)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 35)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 37)

For introductory information about ANSYS Workbench, see ANSYS CFX in ANSYS Workbench (p. 51) in the
ANSYS CFX Introduction.

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Using ANSYS Workbench to set up a project.

Using Quick Setup mode in CFX-Pre to set up a problem.

Using ANSYS CFX-Solver Manager to obtain a solution.

Modifying the outline plot in CFD-Post.

Using streamlines in CFD-Post to trace the flow field from a point.

Viewing temperature using colored planes and contours in CFD-Post.

Creating an animation and saving it as a movie file.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

Quick Setup Wizard

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Thermal Energy

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Adiabatic

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Animation

Keyframe

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details

Plots

Contour
Outline Plot (Wireframe)
Point
Slice Plane
Streamline

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial simulates a static mixer consisting of two inlet pipes delivering water into a mixing vessel; the water
exits through an outlet pipe. A general workflow is established for analyzing the flow of fluid into and out of a
mixer.
Water enters through both pipes at the same rate but at different temperatures. The first entry is at a rate of 2 m/s
and a temperature of 315 K and the second entry is at a rate of 2 m/s at a temperature of 285 K. The radius of the
mixer is 2 m.
Your goal in this tutorial is to understand how to use CFX in Workbench to determine the speed and temperature
of the water when it exits the static mixer.

Figure 3.1. Static Mixer with 2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe

Before You Begin

It is important to do the following before beginning the tutorial:
1.

Use your operating system's tools to create a directory for your project's files. The directory you create will be
referred to as the working directory.

2.

Copy StaticMixerMesh.gtm from the <CFXROOT>/examples directory to the working directory,

where <CFXROOT> is the installation directory for ANSYS CFX.

Starting ANSYS Workbench

1.

Start ANSYS Workbench.

To launch ANSYS Workbench on Windows, click the Start menu, then select All Programs > ANSYS 12.1
> Workbench. To launch ANSYS Workbench on Linux, open a command line interface, type the path to
runwb2 (for example, ~/ansys_inc/v121/Framework/bin/Linux64/runwb2), then press Enter.

2.

In the Toolbox pane, open Component Systems and double-click CFX.

A CFX system opens in the Project Schematic.

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Starting CFX-Pre from ANSYS Workbench

Note
You use a CFX component system because you are starting with a mesh. If you wanted to create
the geometry and mesh, you would start with a Fluid Flow (CFX) analysis system.
3.

From the tool bar, click Save As

. In the dialog that appears, browse to the working directory, give the File
name as StaticMixer, and click Save.

4.

Right-click on the blue CFX cell (A1) and select Rename. Change the name of the system to Static Mixer.

Starting CFX-Pre from ANSYS Workbench

Because you are starting with an existing mesh, you can immediately use CFX-Pre to define the simulation. To
launch CFX-Pre:
1.

In ANSYS Workbench, enable View > Files and View > Progress so that you can see the files that are written
and the time remaining to complete operations.

2.

In the Workbench Project Schematic, double-click the Setup cell of the CFX component system. CFX-Pre
opens.

3.

Optionally, change the background color of the viewer in CFX-Pre for improved viewing:
a.

Select Edit > Options. The Options dialog box appears.

b.

Adjust the color settings under CFX-Pre > Graphics Style. For example, you could set the Background
> Color Type to Solid and the Color to white.

c.

Click OK.

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Creating the Simulation Definition

Creating the Simulation Definition

Before importing and working with the mesh, you need to create a simulation; in this example, you will use Quick
Setup mode. Quick Setup mode provides a simple wizard-like interface for setting up simple cases. This is useful
for getting familiar with the basic elements of a CFD problem setup.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select Tools > Quick Setup Mode. The Quick Setup Wizard opens, enabling you to define this
single-phase simulation.

2.

Under Working Fluid select Water. This is a fluid already defined in the library of materials as water at
25C.

3.

Under Mesh File, click Browse

The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

4.

From your working directory, select StaticMixerMesh.gtm and click Open.

The mesh loads, which enables you to apply physics.

5.

Click Next.

Setting the Physics Definition

You need to define the type of flow and the physical models to use in the fluid domain.
The flow is steady state and you will specify the turbulence and heat transfer. Turbulence is modeled using the k-
turbulence model and heat transfer using the thermal energy model. The k- turbulence model is a commonly used
model and is suitable for a wide range of applications. The thermal energy model neglects high speed energy effects
and is therefore suitable for low speed flow applications.
1.

Under Model Data, note that the Reference Pressure is set to 1 [atm].
All other pressure settings are relative to this reference pressure.

2.

Set Heat Transfer to Thermal Energy.

3.

Leave Turbulence at its default setting, k-Epsilon.

4.

Click Next.

Defining Boundaries
The CFD model requires the definition of conditions on the boundaries of the domain.
1.

Delete Inlet and Outlet from the list by right-clicking each and selecting Delete Boundary.

2.

Right-click in the blank area where Inlet and Outlet were listed, then select Add Boundary.

3.

Set Name to in1.

4.

Click OK.
The boundary is created and, when selected, properties related to the boundary are displayed.

Setting Boundary Data

Once boundaries are created, you need to create associated data. Based on Figure 3.1, Static Mixer with 2 Inlet
Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe (p. 30), you will define the velocity and temperature for the first inlet.
1.

In the Boundary Definition for in1, set Boundary Type to Inlet.

2.

Set Location to in1.

3.

Set the Flow Specification Option to Normal Speed and set Normal Speed to: 2 [m s^-1]

4.

Set the Temperature Specification Static Temperature to 315 [K] (note the units).

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Creating the Second Inlet Boundary Definition

Creating the Second Inlet Boundary Definition

Based on Figure 3.1, Static Mixer with 2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe (p. 30), you know the second inlet boundary
condition consists of a velocity of 2 m/s and a temperature of 285 K at one of the side inlets. You will define that
now.
1.

Under Boundary Definition, right-click in the selector area and select Add Boundary.

2.

Create a new boundary named in2 with these settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Data

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

in2

Option

Normal Speed

Normal Speed

2 [m s^-1]

Static Temperature

285 [K]

Flow Specification

Temperature Specification

Creating the Outlet Boundary Definition

Now that the second inlet boundary has been created, the same concepts can be applied to building the outlet
boundary.
1.

Create a new boundary named out with these settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Data

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

out

Option

Average Static Pressure

Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Flow Specification

2.

Click Next.

Moving to General Mode

There are no further boundary conditions that need to be set. All 2D exterior regions that have not been assigned
to a boundary condition are automatically assigned to the default boundary condition.
1.

Set Operation to Enter General Mode.

2.

Click Finish.
The three boundary conditions are displayed in the viewer as sets of arrows at the boundary surfaces. Inlet
boundary arrows are directed into the domain. Outlet boundary arrows are directed out of the domain.

Using the Viewer

Now that the simulation is loaded, take a moment to explore how you can use the viewer toolbar to zoom in or out
and to rotate the object in the viewer.

Using the Zoom Tools

There are several icons available for controlling the level of zoom in the viewer.
1.

Click Zoom Box

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Setting Solver Control

2.

Click and drag a rectangular box over the geometry.

3.

Release the mouse button to zoom in on the selection.

The geometry zoom changes to display the selection at a greater resolution.

4.

Click Fit View

to re-center and re-scale the geometry.

Rotating the Geometry

If you need to rotate an object or to view it from a new angle, you can use the viewer toolbar.
1.

Click Rotate

2.

Click and drag within the geometry repeatedly to test the rotation of the geometry.

on the viewer toolbar.

The geometry rotates based on the direction of movement.

Notice how the mouse cursor changes depending on where you are in the viewer:

3.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards-X.

4.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z Up).
A clearer view of the mesh is displayed.

Setting Solver Control

Solver Control parameters control aspects of the numerical solution generation process.
While an upwind advection scheme is less accurate than other advection schemes, it is also more robust. This
advection scheme is suitable for obtaining an initial set of results, but in general should not be used to obtain final
accurate results.
The time scale can be calculated automatically by the solver or set manually. The Automatic option tends to be
conservative, leading to reliable, but often slow, convergence. It is often possible to accelerate convergence by
applying a time scale factor or by choosing a manual value that is more aggressive than the Automatic option.
In this tutorial, you will select a physical time scale, leading to convergence that is twice as fast as the Automatic
option.
1.

In the CFX-Pre tool bar, click Solver Control

2.

On the Basic Settings tab, set Advection Scheme > Option to Upwind.

3.

Set Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control > Timescale Control to Physical Timescale
and set the physical timescale value to 2 [s].

4.

Click OK.
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Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

To obtain a solution, you need to launch the CFX-Solver Manager and subsequently use it to start the solver:
1.

Double-click on the ANSYS Workbench Solution cell. The CFX-Solver Manager appears with the Define
Run dialog box displayed.
The Define Run dialog box enables configuration of a run for processing by CFX-Solver. In this case, all of
the information required to perform a new serial run (on a single processor) is entered automatically. You do
not need to alter the information in the Define Run dialog box.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver launches and a split screen appears and displays the results of the run graphically and as text. The
panes continue to build as CFX-Solver Manager operates.
One window shows the convergence history plots and the other displays text output from CFX-Solver. The
text lists physical properties, boundary conditions, and various other parameters used or calculated in creating
the model. All the text is written to the output file automatically (in this case, StaticMixer_001.out).

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Display the Results in CFD-Post

Note
Once the second iteration appears, data begins to plot. Plotting may take a long time depending on
the amount of data to process. Let the process run.

Display the Results in CFD-Post

Once CFX-Solver has finished, you can use CFD-Post to review the finished results:

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

1.

When CFX-Solver is finished, a message is displayed and the final line in the .out file (which you can see
in the CFX-Solver Manager) is:
This run of the ANSYS CFX Solver has finished.

2.

In ANSYS Workbench, right-click on the Results cell and select Refresh.

3.

When the refresh is complete, double-click on the Results cell. CFD-Post appears.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

When CFD-Post starts, the viewer and Outline workspace are displayed. Optionally, change the background color
of the viewer improved viewing:
1.

In CFD-Post, select Edit > Options. The Options dialog box appears.

2.

Adjust the color settings under CFD-Post > Viewer. For example, you could set the Background > Color
Type to Solid and the Color to white.

3.

Click OK.

The viewer displays an outline of the geometry and other graphic objects. You can use the mouse or the toolbar
icons to manipulate the view, exactly as in CFX-Pre.

Workflow Overview
This tutorial describes the following workflow for viewing results in CFD-Post:
1.

Setting the Edge Angle for a Wireframe Object (p. 38)

2.

Creating a Point for the Origin of the Streamline (p. 39)

3.

Creating a Streamline Originating from a Point (p. 40)

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Setting the Edge Angle for a Wireframe Object

4.

Rearranging the Point (p. 40)

5.

Configuring a Default Legend (p. 41)

6.

Creating a Slice Plane (p. 42)

7.

Defining Slice Plane Geometry (p. 43)

8.

Configuring Slice Plane Views (p. 43)

9.

Rendering Slice Planes (p. 44)

10. Coloring the Slice Plane (p. 44)

11. Moving the Slice Plane (p. 45)
12. Adding Contours (p. 45)
13. Working with Animations (p. 46)

Setting the Edge Angle for a Wireframe Object

The outline of the geometry is called the wireframe or outline plot.
By default, CFD-Post displays only some of the surface mesh. This sometimes means that when you first load your
results file, the geometry outline is not displayed clearly. You can control the amount of the surface mesh shown
by editing the Wireframe object listed in the Outline.
The check boxes next to each object name in the Outline tree view control the visibility of each object. Currently
only the Wireframe and Default Legend objects have visibility turned on.
The edge angle determines how much of the surface mesh is visible. If the angle between two adjacent faces is
greater than the edge angle, then that edge is drawn. If the edge angle is set to 0, the entire surface mesh is drawn.
If the edge angle is large, then only the most significant corner edges of the geometry are drawn.
For this geometry, a setting of approximately 15 lets you view the model location without displaying an excessive
amount of the surface mesh.
In this module you can also modify the zoom settings and view of the wireframe.
1.

In the Outline, under User Locations and Plots, double-click Wireframe.

2.

Right-click a blank area anywhere in the viewer, select Predefined Camera from the shortcut menu, and select
Isometric View (Z up).

Tip
While it is not necessary to change the view to set the edge angle for the wireframe, doing so enables
you to explore the practical uses of this feature.
3.

In the Wireframe details view, under Definition, click in the Edge Angle box.
An embedded slider is displayed.

4.

Type a value of 10 [degree].

5.

Click Apply to update the object with the new setting.

Notice that more surface mesh is displayed.

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Creating a Point for the Origin of the Streamline

6.

Drag the embedded slider to set the Edge Angle value to approximately 45 [degree].

7.

Click Apply to update the object with the new setting.

Less of the outline of the geometry is displayed.

8.

Type a value of 15 [degree].

9.

Click Apply to update the object with the new setting.

Creating a Point for the Origin of the Streamline

A streamline is the path that a particle of zero mass would follow through the domain.
1.

Select Insert > Location > Point from the main menu.
You can also use the toolbars to create a variety of objects. Later modules and tutorials will explore this further.

2.

Click OK.
This accepts the default name.

3.

Set Definition > Method to XYZ.

4.

Under Point, enter the following coordinates: -1, -1, 1.

This is a point near the first inlet.

5.

Click Apply.
The point appears as a symbol in the viewer as a crosshair symbol.

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Creating a Streamline Originating from a Point

Creating a Streamline Originating from a Point

Where applicable, streamlines can trace the flow direction forwards (downstream) and/or backwards (upstream).
1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Streamline.

2.

Click OK.

3.

Set Definition > Start From to Point 1.

Tip
To create streamlines originating from more than one location, click the Ellipsis
icon to the
right of the Start From box. This displays the Location Selector dialog box, where you can use
the Ctrl and Shift keys to pick multiple locators.
4.

Click the Color tab.

5.

Set Mode to Variable.

6.

Set Variable to Total Temperature.

7.

Set Range to Local.

8.

Click Apply.
The streamline shows the path of a zero mass particle from Point 1. The temperature is initially high near
the hot inlet, but as the fluid mixes the temperature drops.

Rearranging the Point

Once created, a point can be rearranged manually or by setting specific coordinates.
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Configuring a Default Legend

Tip
In this module, you may choose to display various views and zooms from the Predefined Camera option
in the shortcut menu (such as Isometric View (Z up) or View Towards -X) and by using Zoom Box
if you prefer to change the display.
1.

In Outline, under User Locations and Plots double-click Point 1.

Properties for the selected user location are displayed.

2.

Under Point, set these coordinates: -1, -2.9, 1.

3.

Click Apply.
The point is moved and the streamline redrawn.

4.

In the viewer toolbar, click Select

and ensure that the adjacent toolbar icon is set to Single Select

While in select mode, you cannot use the left mouse button to re-orient the object in the viewer.
5.

In the viewer, drag Point 1 (appears as a yellow addition sign) to a new location within the mixer.
The point position is updated in the details view and the streamline is redrawn at the new location. The point
moves normal in relation to the viewing direction.

6.

Click Rotate

Tip
You can also click in the viewer area, and press the space bar to toggle between Select and Viewing
Mode. A way to pick objects from Viewing Mode is to hold down Ctrl + Shift while clicking on
an object with the left mouse button.
7.

Under Point, reset these coordinates: -1, -1, 1.

8.

Click Apply.
The point appears at its original location.

9.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -X.

Configuring a Default Legend

You can modify the appearance of the default legend.
The default legend appears whenever a plot is created that is colored by a variable. The streamline color is based
on temperature; therefore, the legend shows the temperature range. The color pattern on the legend's color bar is
banded in accordance with the bands in the plot1.
The default legend displays values for the last eligible plot that was opened in the details view. To maintain a legend
definition during a CFD-Post session, you can create a new legend by clicking Legend

An exception occurs when one or more bands in a contour plot represent values beyond the legend's range. In this case, such bands are colored using a color
that is extrapolated slightly past the range of colors shown in the legend. This can happen only when a user-specified range is used for the legend.

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Creating a Slice Plane

Because there are many settings that can be customized for the legend, this module allows you the freedom to
experiment with them. In the last steps you will set up a legend, based on the default legend, with a minor modification
to the position.

Tip
When editing values, you can restore the values that were present when you began editing by clicking
Reset. To restore the factory-default values, click Default.
1.

Double-click Default Legend View 1.

The Definition tab of the default legend is displayed.

2.

3.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Definition

Title Mode

User Specified

Title

Streamline Temp.

Horizontal

(Selected)

Location > Y Justification

Bottom

Click Apply.
The appearance and position of the legend changes based on the settings specified.

4.

Modify various settings in Definition and click Apply after each change.

5.

Select Appearance.

6.

Modify a variety of settings in the Appearance and click Apply after each change.

7.

Click Defaults.

8.

Click Apply.

9.

Under Outline, in User Locations and Plots, clear the check boxes for Point 1 and Streamline
1.
Since both are no longer visible, the associated legend no longer appears.

Creating a Slice Plane

Defining a slice plane allows you to obtain a cross-section of the geometry.
In CFD-Post you often view results by coloring a graphic object. The graphic object could be an isosurface, a vector
plot, or in this case, a plane. The object can be a fixed color or it can vary based on the value of a variable.
You already have some objects defined by default (listed in the Outline). You can view results on the boundaries
of the static mixer by coloring each boundary object by a variable. To view results within the geometry (that is, on
non-default locators), you will create new objects.
You can use the following methods to define a plane:

Three Points: creates a plane from three specified points.

Point and Normal: defines a plane from one point on the plane and a normal vector to the plane.

YZ Plane, ZX Plane, and XY Plane: similar to Point and Normal, except that the normal is defined
to be normal to the indicated plane.

1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Location > Plane or click Location > Plane.

2.

In the Insert Plane window, type: Slice

3.

Click OK.

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Defining Slice Plane Geometry

The details view for the plane appears; the Geometry, Color, Render, and View tabs let you configure the
characteristics of the plane.

Defining Slice Plane Geometry

You need to choose the vector normal to the plane. You want the plane to lie in the x-y plane, hence its normal
vector points along the z-axis. You can specify any vector that points in the z-direction, but you will choose the
most obvious (0,0,1).
1.

On the Geometry tab, expand Definition.

2.

Under Method select Point and Normal.

3.

Under Point enter 0,0,1.

4.

Under Normal enter 0,0,1.

5.

Click Apply.
Slice appears under User Locations and Plots. Rotate the view to see the plane.

Configuring Slice Plane Views

Depending on the view of the geometry, various objects may not appear because they fall in a 2D space that cannot
be seen.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).
The slice is now visible in the viewer.

2.

Click Zoom Box

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Rendering Slice Planes

3.

Click and drag a rectangular selection over the geometry.

4.

Release the mouse button to zoom in on the selection.

5.

Click Rotate

6.

Click and drag the mouse pointer down slightly to rotate the geometry towards you.

7.

Select Isometric View (Z up) as described earlier.

Rendering Slice Planes

Render settings determine how the plane is drawn.
1.

In the details view for Slice, select the Render tab.

2.

Clear Show Faces.

3.

Select Show Mesh Lines.

4.

Under Show Mesh Lines change Color Mode to User Specified.

5.

Click the current color in Line Color to change to a different color.

For a greater selection of colors, click the Ellipsis

6.

Click Apply.

7.

Click Zoom Box

8.

Zoom in on the geometry to view it in greater detail.

icon to use the Color selector dialog box.

The line segments show where the slice plane intersects with mesh element faces. The end points of each line
segment are located where the plane intersects mesh element edges.
9.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards +Z.
The image shown below can be used for comparison with Flow in a Static Mixer (Refined Mesh) (p. 53) (in
the section Creating a Slice Plane (p. 60)), where a refined mesh is used.

Coloring the Slice Plane

The Color panel is used to determine how the object faces are colored.
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Moving the Slice Plane

1.

Apply the following settings to Slice

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable [1 (p. 45)]

Variable

Temperature

Show Faces

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines

(Cleared)

Render

Footnote
1.

2.

You can specify the variable (in this case, temperature) used to color the graphic element. The
Constant mode allows you to color the plane with a fixed color.

Click Apply.
Hot water (red) enters from one inlet and cold water (blue) from the other.

Moving the Slice Plane

You can move the plane to different locations:
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up) from the
shortcut menu.

2.

Click the Geometry tab.

Review the settings in Definition under Point and under Normal.

3.

Click Single Select

4.

Click and drag the plane to a new location that intersects the domain.
As you drag the mouse, the viewer updates automatically. Note that Point updates with new settings.

5.

Type in Point settings of 0,0,1.

6.

Click Apply.

7.

Click Rotate

8.

Turn off the visibility for Slice by clearing the check box next to Slice in the Outline tree view.

Adding Contours
Contours connect all points of equal value for a scalar variable (for example, Temperature) and help to visualize
variable values and gradients. Colored bands fill the spaces between contour lines. Each band is colored by the
average color of its two bounding contour lines (even if the latter are not displayed).
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up) from the
shortcut menu.

2.

Select Insert > Contour from the main menu or click Contour

The Insert Contour dialog box is displayed.

3.

Set Name to Slice Contour.

4.

Click OK.

5.

Apply the following settings

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Working with Animations

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

Slice

Variable

Temperature

Show Contour Lines

(Selected)

Render
6.

Click Apply.

Important
The colors of 3D graphics object faces are slightly altered when lighting is on. To view colors with
highest accuracy, go to the Render tab and, under Show Faces, clear Lighting and click Apply.
The graphic element faces are visible, producing a contour plot as shown.

Note
Make sure that the visibility of Slice (in the Outline tree view) is turned off.

Working with Animations

Animations build transitions between views for development of video files.

Workflow Overview
This tutorial follows the general workflow for creating a keyframe animation:
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Showing the Animation Dialog Box

1.

Showing the Animation Dialog Box (p. 47)

2.

Creating the First Keyframe (p. 47)

3.

Creating the Second Keyframe (p. 48)

4.

Viewing the Animation (p. 49)

5.

Modifying the Animation (p. 50)

6.

Saving a Movie (p. 51)

Showing the Animation Dialog Box

The Animation dialog box is used to define keyframes and to export to a video file.
1.

Select Tools > Animation or click Animation

2.

Select Keyframe Animation.

Creating the First Keyframe

Keyframes are required in order to produce a keyframe animation. You need to define the first viewer state, a second
(and final) viewer state, and set the number of interpolated intermediate frames.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).

2.

In the Outline, under User Locations and Plots, turn off the visibility of Slice Contour and
turn on the visibility of Slice.

3.

In the Animation dialog box, click New

A new keyframe named KeyframeNo1 is created. This represents the current image displayed in the viewer.

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Creating the Second Keyframe

Creating the Second Keyframe

Define the second keyframe and the number of intermediate frames:
1.

In the Outline, under User Locations and Plots, double-click Slice.

2.

On the Geometry tab, set Point coordinate values to (0,0,-1.99).

3.

Click Apply.
The slice plane moves to the bottom of the mixer.

4.

In the Animation dialog box, click New

KeyframeNo2 is created and represents the image displayed in the viewer.

5.

Select KeyframeNo1 so that you can set the number of frames to be interpolated between the two keyframes.
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Viewing the Animation

6.

Set # of Frames (located below the list of keyframes) to 20.

This is the number of intermediate frames used when going from KeyframeNo1 to KeyframeNo2. This
number is displayed in the Frames column for KeyframeNo1.

7.

Press Enter.
The Frame # column shows the frame in which each keyframe appears. KeyframeNo1 appears at frame 1
since it defines the start of the animation. KeyframeNo2 is at frame 22 since you have 20 intermediate frames
(frames 2 to 21) in between KeyframeNo1 and KeyframeNo2.

Viewing the Animation

More keyframes could be added, but this animation has only two keyframes (which is the minimum possible).

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Modifying the Animation

The controls previously greyed-out in the Animation dialog box are now available. The number of intermediate
frames between keyframes is listed beside the keyframe having the lowest number of the pair. The number of frames
listed beside the last keyframe is ignored.
1.

Click To Beginning

This ensures that the animation will begin at the first keyframe.
2.

Click Play the animation

The animation plays from frame 1 to frame 22. It plays relatively slowly because the slice plane must be updated
for each frame.

Modifying the Animation

To make the plane sweep through the whole geometry, you will set the starting position of the plane to be at the
top of the mixer. You will also modify the Range properties of the plane so that it shows the temperature variation
better. As the animation is played, you can see the hot and cold water entering the mixer. Near the bottom of the
mixer (where the water flows out) you can see that the temperature is quite uniform. The new temperature range
lets you view the mixing process more accurately than the global range used in the first animation.
1.

2.

Apply the following settings to Slice

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Point

0, 0, 1.99

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Temperature

Range

User Specified

Min

295 [K]

Max

305 [K]

Click Apply.
The slice plane moves to the top of the static mixer.

Note
Do not double-click in the next step.
3.

In the Animation dialog box, single click (do not double-click) KeyframeNo1 to select it.
If you had double-clicked KeyFrameNo1, the plane and viewer states would have been redefined according
to the stored settings for KeyFrameNo1. If this happens, click Undo

4.

Click Set Keyframe

and try again to select the keyframe.

The image in the viewer replaces the one previously associated with KeyframeNo1.
5.

Double-click KeyframeNo2.
The object properties for the slice plane are updated according to the settings in KeyFrameNo2.

6.

Apply the following settings to Slice

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

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Saving a Movie
Tab

Setting

Value

Variable

Temperature

Range

User Specified

Min

295 [K]

Max

305 [K]

7.

Click Apply.

8.

In the Animation dialog box, single-click KeyframeNo2.

9.

Click Set Keyframe

to save the new settings to KeyframeNo2.

Saving a Movie
1.

Click More Animation Options

to view the additional options.

The Loop and Bounce radio buttons determine what happens when the animation reaches the last keyframe.
When Loop is selected, the animation repeats itself the number of times defined by Repeat. When Bounce is
selected, every other cycle is played in reverse order, starting with the second.
2.

Select Save Movie.

3.

Set Format to MPEG1.

4.

Click Browse

5.

Under File name type: StaticMixer.mpg

6.

If required, set the path location to a different directory. You may want to set the directory to your working
directory so that the animation will be in the same location as the project files; however, ANSYS Workbench
will not store the file as part of the project.

7.

Click Save.

next to Save Movie.

The movie file name (including path) has been set, but the animation has not yet been produced.
8.

Click To Beginning

9.

Click Play the animation

10. If prompted to overwrite an existing movie click Overwrite.

The animation plays and builds an MPEG file.
11. Click the Options button at the bottom of the Animation dialog box.
In Advanced, you can see that a Frame Rate of 24 frames per second was used to create the animation. The
animation you produced contains a total of 22 frames, so it takes just under 1 second to play in a media player.
12. Click Cancel to close the dialog box.
13. Close the Animation dialog box.
14. View the animation using a media player.

Closing the Applications

Before you close the project, take a moment to look at the files listed in the Files view. You will see the project file,
StaticMixer.wbpj, and the files that ANSYS Workbench created (CFX-Solver Input, CFX-Solver Output,
CFX-Solver Results, CFX-Pre Case, CFD-Post State, and Design Point files). Any files that you added to that part
of the file system (such as the movie file) will not be listed.
Close ANSYS Workbench (and the applications it launched) by selecting File > Exit from ANSYS Workbench.
ANSYS Workbench prompts you to save all of your project files.
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Chapter 4. Flow in a Static Mixer (Refined

Mesh)
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 53)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 53)

Before You Begin (p. 54)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 54)

Defining a Simulation using General Mode in CFX-Pre (p. 54)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 58)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 60)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Using the General Mode of CFX-Pre (this mode is used for more complex cases).

Rerunning a problem with a refined mesh.

Importing CCL to copy the definition of a different simulation into the current simulation.

Viewing the mesh with a Sphere Volume locator and a Surface Plot.

Using the Report Viewer to analyze mesh quality.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Thermal Energy

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Adiabatic

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Plots

Slice Plane
Sphere Volume

Other

Viewing the Mesh

Overview of the Problem to Solve

In this tutorial, you use a refined mesh to obtain a better solution to the Static Mixer problem created in Simulating
Flow in a Static Mixer Using CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 5). You establish a general workflow for analyzing
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Before You Begin

the flow of fluid into and out of a mixer. This tutorial uses a specific problem to teach the general approach taken
when working with an existing mesh.
You start a new simulation in CFX-Pre and import the refined mesh. This tutorial introduces General Mode-the
mode used for most tutorials-in CFX-Pre. The physics for this tutorial are the same as for Simulating Flow in a
Static Mixer Using CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 5); therefore, you can import the physics settings used in that
tutorial to save time.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

StaticMixerRefMesh.gtm

StaticMixerRef.pre

StaticMixer.def

StaticMixer_001.res

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Simulation using General Mode in CFX-Pre

After having completed meshing, CFX-Pre is used as a consistent and intuitive interface for the definition of complex
CFD problems.

Workflow Overview
This section provides a brief summary of the topics so that you can see the workflow:
1.

Creating a New Case (p. 54)

2.

Importing a Mesh (p. 55)

3.

Importing CCL (p. 55)

4.

Viewing Domain Settings (p. 56)

5.

Viewing the Boundary Condition Setting (p. 56)

6.

Defining Solver Parameters (p. 56)

7.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File (p. 57)

As an alternative to these steps, you can set up the simulation automatically by following the procedures in Playing
the Session File and Starting CFX-Solver Manager (p. 58).
To begin this tutorial and create a new simulation in CFX-Pre, continue from Creating a New Case (p. 54).

Creating a New Case

Before importing and working with a mesh, a simulation needs to be developed using General mode.

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Importing a Mesh

Procedure in Standalone
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General in the New Case dialog box and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type StaticMixerRef and click Save.

5.

Proceed to Importing a Mesh (p. 55).

Importing a Mesh
At least one mesh must be imported before physics are applied.
An assembly is a group of mesh regions that are topologically connected. Each assembly can contain only one mesh,
but multiple assemblies are permitted. The Mesh tree shows the regions in Assembly in a tree structure. The level
below Assembly displays 3D regions and the level below each 3D region shows the 2D regions associated with
it. The check box next to each item in the Mesh tree indicates the visibility status of the object in the viewer; you
can click these to toggle visibility.
1.

Select File > Import > Mesh or right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other.

2.

In the Import Mesh dialog box, select StaticMixerRefMesh.gtm from your working directory.
This is a mesh that is more refined than the one used in Tutorial 1.

3.

Click Open.

4.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up) from the
shortcut menu.

Importing CCL
Since the physics for this simulation is very similar to that for Tutorial 1, you can save time by importing the settings
used there.
The CCL contains settings that reference mesh regions. For example, the outlet boundary condition references the
mesh region named out. In this tutorial, the name of the mesh regions are the same as in Tutorial 1, so you can
import the CCL without error.
The physics for a simulation can be saved to a CCL (CFX Command Language) file at any time by selecting File
> Export > CCL. However, a number of other files can also be used as sources to import CCL including:

Simulation files (*.cfx)

Results files (*.res)

CFX-Solver input files(*.def)

Note
If you import CCL that references non-existent mesh regions, you will get errors.
1.

Select File > Import > CCL.

The Import CCL dialog box appears.

2.

Under Import Method, select Replace.

Replace is useful if you have defined physics and want to update or replace them with newly imported physics.

3.

Under File type, select CFX-Solver Files (*def *res).

4.

Select StaticMixer.def created in Tutorial 1. If you did not work through Tutorial 1, you can copy this
file from the examples directory.

5.

Click Open.

6.

Select the Outline tab.

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Viewing Domain Settings

Tip
To select Outline you may need to click the navigation icons next to the tabs to move forward' or
backward' through the various tabs.
The tree view displays a summary of the current simulation in a tree structure. Some items may be recognized
from Tutorial 1-for example the boundary condition objects in1, in2, and out.

Viewing Domain Settings

It is useful to review the options available in General Mode.
Various domain settings can be set. These include:

Basic Settings
Specifies the location of the domain, coordinate frame settings and the fluids/solids that are present in the domain.
You also reference pressure, buoyancy and whether the domain is stationary or rotating. Mesh motion can also
be set.

Fluid Models
Sets models that apply to the fluid(s) in the domain, such as heat transfer, turbulence, combustion, and radiation
models. An option absent in Tutorial 1 is Turbulent Wall Functions, which is set to Scalable. Wall functions
model the flow in the near-wall region. For the k-epsilon turbulence model, you should always use scalable wall
functions.

Initialization
Sets the initial conditions for the current domain only. This is generally used when multiple domains exist to
allow setting different initial conditions in each domain, but can also be used to initialize single-domain
simulations. Global initialization allows the specification of initial conditions for all domains that do not have
domain-specific initialization.

1.

On the Outline tree view, under Simulation > Flow Analysis 1, double-click Default Domain.
The domain Default Domain is opened for editing.

2.

Click the Basic Settings tab and review, but do not change, the current settings.

3.

Click Fluid Models and review, but do not change, the current settings.

4.

Click Initialization and review, but do not change, the current settings.

5.

Click Close.

Viewing the Boundary Condition Setting

For the k-epsilon turbulence model, you must specify the turbulent nature of the flow entering through the inlet
boundary. For this simulation, the default setting of Medium (Intensity = 5%) is used. This is a sensible
setting if you do not know the turbulence properties of the incoming flow.
1.

Under Default Domain, double-click in1.

2.

Click the Boundary Details tab and review the settings for Flow Regime, Mass and Momentum, Turbulence
and Heat Transfer.

3.

Click Close.

Defining Solver Parameters

Solver Control parameters control aspects of the numerical-solution generation process.
In Tutorial 1 you set some solver control parameters, such as Advection Scheme and Timescale Control, while
other parameters were set automatically by CFX-Pre.
In this tutorial, High Resolution is used for the advection scheme. This is more accurate than the Upwind Scheme
used in Tutorial 1. You usually require a smaller timestep when using this model. You can also expect the solution
to take a higher number of iterations to converge when using this model.
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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Select Insert > Solver > Solver Control from the menu bar or click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following Basic Settings

Setting

Value

Advection Scheme > Option

High Resolution

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations [1 (p. 57)]

150

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control > Timescale Physical Timescale
Control
Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control > Physical
Timescale

0.5 [s]

Footnote
1.

If your solution does not meet the convergence criteria after this number of timesteps, the
CFX-Solver will stop.

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Click the Advanced Options tab.

5.

Ensure that Global Dynamic Model Control is selected.

6.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Once all boundaries are created you move from CFX-Pre into CFX-Solver.
The simulation file-StaticMixerRef.cfx-contains the simulation definition in a format that can be loaded by
CFX-Pre, allowing you to complete (if applicable), restore, and modify the simulation definition. The simulation
file differs from the CFX-Solver input file in two important ways:

The simulation file can be saved at any time while defining the simulation.

The CFX-Solver input file is an encapsulated set of meshes and CCL defining a solver run, and is a subset of
the data in the simulation file.

1.

Click Define Run

The Write Solver Input File dialog box is displayed.

2.

If required, set the path to your working directory.

3.

Apply the following settings:

4.

Setting

Value

File name

StaticMixerRef.def

Click Save.
The CFX-Solver input file (StaticMixerRef.def) is created. CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts
and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

5.

If you are notified in CFX-Pre that the file already exists, click Overwrite.

6.

Quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file.

7.

Proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 58).

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Playing the Session File and Starting CFX-Solver Manager

Playing the Session File and Starting CFX-Solver Manager

If you have performed all the tasks in the previous steps, proceed directly to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver
Manager (p. 58).
Two procedures are documented. Depending on your installation of CFX follow either the standalone procedure or
the ANSYS Workbench procedure.

Procedure in Standalone
1.

If required, launch CFX-Pre.

2.

Select Session > Play Tutorial.

3.

Select StaticMixerRef.pre.

4.

Click Open.
A CFX-Solver input file is written.

5.

Select File > Quit.

6.

Launch CFX-Solver Manager from CFX Launcher.

7.

After CFX-Solver starts, select File > Define Run.

8.

Under CFX-Solver Input File, click Browse

9.

Select StaticMixerRef.def, located in the working directory.

10. Proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 58).

Procedure in ANSYS Workbench

1.

If required, launch ANSYS Workbench.

2.

Click Empty Project.

3.

Select File > Save or click Save

4.

Under File name, type StaticMixerRef and click Save.

5.

Click Start CFX-Pre.

6.

Select Session > Play Tutorial.

7.

Select StaticMixerRef.pre.

8.

Click Open.

A CFX-Solver input file is written.

9.

Click the CFX-Solver tab.

10. Select File > Define Run.

11. Under CFX-Solver Input File, click Browse

12. Select StaticMixerRef.def, located in the working directory.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

Two windows are displayed when CFX-Solver Manager runs. There is an adjustable split between the windows
which is oriented either horizontally or vertically, depending on the aspect ratio of the entire CFX-Solver Manager
window (also adjustable).

Workflow Overview
This section provides a brief summary of the topics to follow as a general workflow:
1.

Starting the Run with an Initial Values File (p. 59)

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Starting the Run with an Initial Values File

2.

Confirming Results (p. 59)

3.

Moving from CFX-Solver to CFD-Post (p. 59)

Starting the Run with an Initial Values File

In CFX-Solver Manager, the Define Run dialog box is visible and Solver Input File has automatically been set to
the CFX-Solver input file from CFX-Pre: StaticMixerRef.def.
Configure the settings so that the results from Tutorial 1 (contained in StaticMixer_001.res) will be used
to initialize the solution:
1.

Select Initial Values Specification.

2.

Set Initial Values Specification > Initial Values > Initial Values 1 > Initial Values 1 Settings > File Name
to StaticMixer_001.res.
If you did not complete the first tutorial, you can use StaticMixer_001.res from your working directory.

3.

Set Use Mesh From to Solver Input File.

4.

Clear Initial Values Specification > Continue History From.

This will cause the CFX-Solver to use the results in the StaticMixer_001.res file as a basic initial guess
for the solution, and will cause the iteration count to start from 1 instead of from the last iteration number in
the initial values file.

5.

Click Start Run.

Note
Convergence information is plotted once the second outer loop iteration is complete.

Confirming Results
When the run is finished, specific information appears in the text window of CFX-Solver Manager.
To confirm that results interpolation was successful, look in the text window in CFX-Solver Manager. The following
text appears before the convergence history begins:
+----------------------------------------------------------+
| Initial Conditions Supplied by Fields in the Input Files |
+----------------------------------------------------------+
This lists the variables that were interpolated from the results file. After the final iteration, a message similar to the
following content appears:
CFD Solver finished: Tue Oct 19 08:06:45 2004
CFD Solver wall clock seconds: 1.7100E+02
This indicates that CFX-Solver has successfully calculated the solution for the problem to the specified accuracy
or has run out of coefficient loops.
1.

When CFX-Solver is finished, ensure that the check box next to Post-Process Results is cleared to prevent
CFD-Post from launching at this time.

2.

Click OK. Review the results on the Out File tab for details on the run results.

Moving from CFX-Solver to CFD-Post

Once CFX-Solver has finished, you can use CFD-Post to review the finished results.
1.

Select Tools > Post-Process Results or click Post-Process Results

2.

In the Start CFD-Post dialog box, next to Results File, ensure that StaticMixerRef_001.res is set. If
it is not, click Browse

in the toolbar.

and select StaticMixerRef_001.res (located in the working directory).

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

3.

If using CFX-Solver in Standalone Mode, select Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

This forces Standalone CFX-Solver to close. This option is not required in Workbench.

4.

Click OK.
After a short pause, CFD-Post starts.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

In the following sections, you will explore the differences between the mesh and the results from this tutorial and
tutorial 1.

Creating a Slice Plane

More information exists for use by CFD-Post in this tutorial than in Tutorial 1 because the slice plane is more
detailed.
Once a new slice plane is created it can be compared with Tutorial 1. There are three noticeable differences between
the two slice planes.

Around the edges of the mixer geometry there are several layers of narrow rectangles. This is the region where
the mesh contains prismatic elements (which are created as inflation layers). The bulk of the geometry contains
tetrahedral elements.

There are more lines on the plane than there were in Tutorial 1. This is because the slice plane intersects with
more mesh elements.

The curves of the mixer are smoother than in Tutorial 1 because the finer mesh better represents the true geometry.

1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).

2.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Plane or under Location, click Plane.

3.

In the Insert Plane dialog box, type Slice and click OK.
The Geometry, Color, Render and View tabs let you switch between settings.

4.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Domains

Default Domain

Definition > Method

XY Plane

Definition > Z

1 [m]

Plane Type

Slice

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Render

5.

Click Apply.

6.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards +Z.

7.

Click Zoom Box

8.

Zoom in on the geometry to view it in greater detail.

Compare the on-screen image with the equivalent picture from Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using CFX
in Standalone Mode (p. 5) (in the section Rendering Slice Planes (p. 20)).

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Coloring the Slice Plane

Coloring the Slice Plane

Here, you will color the plane by temperature.
1.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode [1 (p. 61)]

Variable

Variable

Temperature

Range

Global

Show Faces

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines

(Cleared)

Render

Footnote
1.
2.

A mode setting of Constant would allow you to color the plane with a fixed color.

Click Apply.

Loading Results from Tutorial 1 for Comparison

In CFD-Post, you may load multiple results files into the same instance for comparison.
1.

To load the results file from Tutorial 1, select File > Load Results or click Load Results

2.

Be careful not to click Open until instructed to do so. In the Load Results File dialog box, select
StaticMixer_001.res in the <CFXROOT>\examples directory or from your working directory if it
has been copied.

3.

On the right side of the dialog box, there are three frames:

Case options

Additional actions

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Creating a Second Slice Plane

CFX run history and multi-configuration options.

Under Case options, select Keep current cases loaded and ensure that Open in new view is selected.
4.

Under Additional actions, ensure that the Clear user state before loading check box is cleared.

5.

Under CFX run history and multi-configuration options, ensure that Load only the last results is selected.

6.

Click Open to load the results.

In the tree view, there is now a second group of domains, meshes and boundary conditions with the heading
StaticMixer_001.

7.

Double-click the Wireframe object under User Locations and Plots.

8.

In the Definition tab, set Edge Angle to 5 [degree].

9.

Click Apply.

10. Click Synchronize camera in displayed views

so that all viewports maintain the same camera position.

11. Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).
Both meshes are now displayed in a line along the Y axis. Notice that one mesh is of a higher resolution than
the other.
12. Set Edge Angle to 30 [degree].
13. Click Apply.

Creating a Second Slice Plane

1.

In the tree view, right-click the plane named Slice and select Duplicate.

2.

Click OK to accept the default name Slice 1.

3.

In the tree view, double-click the plane named Slice 1.

4.

On the Geometry tab, set Domains to Default Domain.

5.

On the Color tab, ensure that Range is set to Global.

6.

Click Apply.

7.

Double-click Slice and make sure that Range is set to Global.

Comparing Slice Planes Using Multiple Views

The visibility status of each object is maintained separately for each viewport. This allows some planes to be shown
while others are hidden. However, you can also use the Synchronize visibility in displayed views
the visibility of objects that you add.

to synchronize

to deselect the option.

1.

In the viewer toolbar, click Synchronize visibility in displayed views

2.

Click in the viewport that is set to show View 1, then clear the visibility check box for Slice in the Outline
tree view and ensure that the visibility check box for Slice 1 is selected.

3.

Click in the viewport that is set to show View 2, then select the visibility check box for Slice and ensure
that the visibility check box for Slice 1 is cleared.

4.

In the tree view, double-click StaticMixer_001 and clear Apply Translation.

5.

Click Apply.

6.

Right-click in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.
Note the difference in temperature distribution.

7.

To return to a single viewport, select the option with a single rectangle.

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Viewing the Surface Mesh on the Outlet

8.

Right-click Slice 1 in the tree view and select Delete.

9.

Ensure that the visibility check box for Slice is cleared.

10. Right-click StaticMixer_001 in the tree view and select Unload.

Viewing the Surface Mesh on the Outlet

In this part of the tutorial, you will view the mesh on the outlet. You will see five layers of inflated elements against
the wall. You will also see the triangular faces of the tetrahedral elements closer to the center of the outlet.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).

2.

In the tree view, ensure that the visibility check box for StaticMixerRef_001 > Default Domain >
out is selected, then double-click out to open it for editing.
Since the boundary location geometry was defined in CFX-Pre, the details view does not display a Geometry
tab as it did for the planes.

3.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Render

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Color Mode

User Specified

Line Color

(Select any light color)

4.

Click Apply.

5.

Click Zoom Box

6.

Zoom in on the geometry to view out in greater detail.

7.

Click Rotate

8.

Rotate the image as required to clearly see the mesh.

on the Viewing Tools toolbar.

Looking at the Inflated Elements in Three Dimensions

To show more clearly what effect inflation has on the shape of the elements, you will use volume objects to show
two individual elements. The first element that will be shown is a normal tetrahedral element; the second is a
prismatic element from an inflation layer of the mesh.
Leave the surface mesh on the outlet visible to help see how surface and volume meshes are related.
1.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Volume or, under Location click Volume.

2.

In the Insert Volume dialog box, type Tet Volume and click OK.

3.

Apply the following settings

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Viewing the Surface Mesh on the Mixer Body

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

Sphere

Definition > Point [1 (p. 64)]

0.08, 0, -2

Definition > Radius

0.14 [m]

Definition > Mode

Below Intersection

Inclusive [2 (p. 64)]

(Cleared)

Color

Color

Red

Render

Show Faces > Transparency

0.3

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines > Line Width

Show Mesh Lines > Color Mode

User Specified

Show Mesh Lines > Line Color

Grey

Footnotes
1.

The z slider's minimum value corresponds to the minimum z value of the entire geometry,
which, in this case, occurs at the outlet.

2.

Only elements that are entirely contained within the sphere volume will be included.

4.

Click Apply to create the volume object.

5.

Right-click Tet Volume and choose Duplicate.

6.

In the Duplicate Tet Volume dialog box, type Prism Volume and click OK.

7.

Double-click Prism Volume.

8.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Point

-0.22, 0.4, -1.85

Definition > Radius

0.206 [m]

Color

Orange

Color
9.

Click Apply.

Viewing the Surface Mesh on the Mixer Body

1.

Double-click the Default Domain Default object.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Render

Show Faces

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Line Width

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Viewing the Layers of Inflated Elements on a Plane

3.

Click Apply.

Viewing the Layers of Inflated Elements on a Plane

You will see the layers of inflated elements on the wall of the main body of the mixer. Within the body of the mixer,
there will be many lines that are drawn wherever the face of a mesh element intersects the slice plane.
1.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Plane or under Location, click Plane.

2.

In the Insert Plane dialog box, type Slice 2 and click OK.

3.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

YZ Plane

Definition > X

0 [m]

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Render

4.

Click Apply.

5.

Turn off the visibility of all objects except Slice 2.

6.

To see the plane clearly, right-click in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -X.

Viewing the Mesh Statistics

You can use the Report Viewer to check the quality of your mesh. For example, you can load a .def file into
CFD-Post and check the mesh quality before running the .def file in the solver.
1.

Click the Report Viewer tab (located below the viewer window).
A report appears. Look at the table shown in the Mesh Report section.

2.

Double-click Report > Mesh Report in the Outline tree view.

3.

In the Mesh Report details view, select Statistics > Maximum Face Angle.

4.

Click Refresh Preview.

Note that a new table, showing the maximum face angle for all elements in the mesh, has been added to the
Mesh Report section of the report. The maximum face angle is reported as 148.95.

As a result of generating this mesh statistic for the report, a new variable, Maximum Face Angle, has been
created and stored at every node. This variable will be used in the next section.

Viewing the Mesh Elements with Largest Face Angle

In this section, you will visualize the mesh elements that have a Maximum Face Angle value greater than 140.
1.

Click the 3D Viewer tab (located below the viewer window).

2.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).

3.

In the Outline tree view, select the visibility check box of Wireframe.

4.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Volume or under Location, click Volume.

5.

In the Insert Volume dialog box, type Max Face Angle Volume and click OK.

6.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

Isovolume

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Viewing the Mesh Elements with Largest Face Angle Using a Point
Tab

Setting

Value

Definition > Variable

Maximum Face Angle [1 (p. 66)]

Definition > Mode

Above Value

Definition > Value

140 [degree]

Inclusive [2 (p. 66)]

(Selected)

Footnotes

7.

1.

Select Maximum Face Angle from the larger list of variables available by clicking
to the right of the Variable box.

2.

This includes any elements that have at least one node with a variable value greater than or
equal to the given value.

Click Apply.
The volume object appears in the viewer.

Viewing the Mesh Elements with Largest Face Angle Using a

Point
Next, you will create a point object to show a node that has the maximum value of Maximum Face Angle. The
point object will be represented by a 3D yellow crosshair symbol. In order to avoid obscuring the point object with
the volume object, you may want to turn off the visibility of the latter.
1.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Point or under Location, click Point.

2.

Click OK to use the default name.

3.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

Variable Maximum

Definition > Location

Default Domain

Definition > Variable

Maximum Face Angle

Symbol Size

Symbol
4.

Click Apply.

Quitting CFD-Post
1.

When you are finished, select File > Quit to exit CFD-Post.

2.

If prompted by a dialog box, save the state at your discretion.

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Chapter 5. Flow in a Process Injection

Mixing Pipe
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 67)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 68)

Before You Begin (p. 68)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 69)

Defining a Simulation using General Mode in CFX-Pre (p. 69)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 75)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 76)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Applying a profile boundary using data stored in a file.

Visualizing the velocity on a boundary in CFX-Pre.

Using the CFX Expression Language (CEL) to describe temperature dependent fluid properties in CFX-Pre.

Using the k-epsilon turbulence model.

Using streamlines in CFD-Post to track flow through the domain.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Thermal Energy

Boundary Conditions

Boundary Profile Visualization

Inlet (Profile)
Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Adiabatic

CEL (CFX Expression Language)

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Plots

Default Locators
Outline Plot (Wireframe)
Slice Plane

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67

Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Streamline

Other

Changing the Color Range

Expression Details View
Legend
Viewing the Mesh

Overview of the Problem to Solve

The goal of this tutorial is to understand the general approach taken when working with an existing mesh. In this
tutorial, you will go through the three main steps when solving a problem, which are defining a simulation using
General Mode in CFX-Pre, obtaining a solution using CFX-Solver Manager and viewing the results in CFD-Post.
The injection mixing pipe, common in the process industry, is composed of two pipes: one with a larger diameter
than the other. Analyzing and optimizing the mixing process is often critical for many chemical processes. CFD is
useful not only in identifying problem areas (where mixing is poor), but also in testing new designs before they are
implemented.
The geometry for this example consists of a circular pipe of diameter 1.0 m with a 90 bend, and a smaller pipe of
diameter 0.3 m which joins with the main pipe at an oblique angle. Water at 315.0 K enters in the 0.3 m diameter
pipe at a rate of 5.0 m/s while water at 285.0 K enters in the 1.0 m diameter pipe at a rate of 0.5 m/s.

Figure 5.1. Injection Mixing Pipe

In this tutorial, you will establish a general workflow for analyzing the flow of the water fluid into and out of an
injection pipe. First, a simulation will be created and an existing mesh will be imported in CFX-Pre. A viscosity
expression will also be created, and will be used to modify the water properties later on in this tutorial to increase
the solution accuracy. Finally, initial values will be set and a solution will be found using CFX-Solver Manager.
The results will then be viewed in CFD-Post. Streamlines originating from the main inlet will be generated to show
the flow of the water into and out of the injection pipe.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)
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Starting CFX-Pre

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

InjectMixer.pre

InjectMixer_velocity_profile.csv

InjectMixerMesh.gtm

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Simulation using General Mode in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run InjectMixer.pre. For details,
see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 75).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, continue with the following steps.

Workflow Overview
This section provides a brief summary of the topics to follow as a general workflow:
1.

Creating a New Case (p. 69)

2.

Importing a Mesh (p. 70)

3.

Setting Temperature-Dependent Material Properties (p. 70)

4.

Plotting an Expression (p. 71)

5.

Evaluating an Expression (p. 71)

6.

Modify Material Properties (p. 71)

7.

Creating the Domain (p. 72)

8.

Creating the Side Inlet Boundary (p. 72)

9.

Creating the Main Inlet Boundary (p. 73)

10. Creating the Main Outlet Boundary (p. 74)

11. Setting Initial Values (p. 74)
12. Setting Solver Control (p. 74)
13. Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File (p. 75)

Creating a New Case

Before importing and working with a mesh, a simulation needs to be started using General Mode.

Procedure in Standalone
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Ensure General is selected and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type InjectMixer.

5.

Click Save.

6.

Proceed to Importing a Mesh (p. 70).

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Importing a Mesh

Importing a Mesh
The following steps will demonstrate how to import a mesh.
1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned off.
Default Domain generation should be turned off because you will create a new domain manually, later in this
tutorial.

2.

Select File > Import > Mesh.

3.

From your working directory, select InjectMixerMesh.gtm.

4.

Click Open.

5.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Y up) from the
shortcut menu.

Setting Temperature-Dependent Material Properties

Viscosity varies with temperature, which implies that the water will behave differently when coming through the
1.0 m and the 0.3 m diameter pipes. In the following steps, you will create an expression for viscosity as a function
of temperature. This expression will then be used to modify the properties of the library material: Water to increase
the accuracy of the solution. By setting temperature-dependent material properties, Viscosity will be made to vary
linearly with temperature between the following conditions:

=1.8E-03 N s m-2 at T=275.0 K

=5.45E-04 N s m-2 at T=325.0 K

The variable T (Temperature) is a CFX System Variable recognized by CFX-Pre, denoting static temperature. All
variables, expressions, locators, functions, and constants can be viewed by double-clicking the appropriate entry
(such as Additional Variables or Expressions) in the tree view.
All expressions must have consistent units. You should be careful if using temperature in an expression with units
other than [K].
The Expressions tab lets you define, modify, evaluate, plot, copy, delete and browse through expressions used
within CFX-Pre.
1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Expressions, Functions and Variables > Expression.

2.

In the New Expression dialog box, type Tupper.

3.

Click OK.
The details view for the Tupper equation is displayed.

4.

Under Definition, type 325 [K].

5.

Click Apply to create the expression.

The expression is added to the list of existing expressions.

6.

Right-click in the Expressions workspace and select Insert > Expression.

7.

In the New Expression dialog box, type Tlower.

8.

Click OK.

9.

Under Definition, type 275 [K].

10. Click Apply to create the expression.

The expression is added to the list of existing expressions.
11. Create expressions for Visupper, Vislower and VisT using the following values.
Name

Definition

Visupper

5.45E-04 [N s m^-2]
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Plotting an Expression
Name

Definition

Vislower

1.8E-03 [N s m^-2]

VisT

Vislower+(Visupper-Vislower)*(T-Tlower)/(Tupper-Tlower)

Plotting an Expression
1.

Right-click VisT in the Expressions tree view, and then select Edit.
The Expressions details view for VisT appears.

Tip
Alternatively, double-clicking the expression also opens the Expressions details view.
2.

3.

Click the Plot tab and apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Plot

Number of Points

10

(Selected)

Start of Range

275 [K]

End of Range

325 [K]

Click Plot Expression.

A plot showing the variation of the expression VisT with the variable T is displayed.

Evaluating an Expression
1.

Click the Evaluate tab.

2.

In T, type 300 [K].

This is between the start and end range defined in the last module.

3.

Click Evaluate Expression.

A value of around 0.0011[kg m^-1 s^-1] for VisT at the given value of T appears in the Value field.

Modify Material Properties

As mentioned earlier in this tutorial, the default material properties of Water will be modified using the Viscosity
expression to increase the accuracy of the solution.
1.

Click the Outline tab.

2.

Double-click Water under Materials to display the Basic Settings tab.

3.

Click the Material Properties tab.

4.

Expand Transport Properties.

5.

Select Dynamic Viscosity.

6.

Under Dynamic Viscosity, click in Dynamic Viscosity.

7.

Click Enter Expression

8.

Enter the expression VisT into the data box.

9.

Click OK.

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Creating the Domain

Creating the Domain

The domain will be set to use the thermal energy heat transfer model, and the k (k-epsilon) turbulence model.
Both Basic Settings and Fluid Models are changed in this module. The Initialization tab is for setting
domain-specific initial conditions, which are not used in this tutorial. Instead, global initialization is used to set the
starting conditions.
1.

Ensure that no default domain is present under Flow Analysis 1. If a default domain is present, right-click
it and select Delete.

2.

Select Insert > Domain from the main menu or click Domain

3.

In the Insert Domain dialog box, type InjectMixer.

4.

Click OK.

5.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location B1.P3

Fluid and Particle Definitions Fluid 1
Fluid and Particle Definitions Water
> Fluid 1 > Material
Domain Models > Pressure > 0 [atm]
Reference Pressure

6.

Click Fluid Models.

7.

Apply the following settings

8.

Setting

Value

Heat Transfer > Option

Thermal Energy

Click OK.

Creating the Side Inlet Boundary

The side inlet boundary needs to be defined.
1.

Select Insert > Boundary from the main menu or click Boundary

2.

Set Name to side inlet.

Note
A boundary named after a region will use that region as its location by default.
3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

side inlet

Mass and Momentum > Option

Normal Speed

Boundary Details

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Creating the Main Inlet Boundary

Tab

Setting

Value

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed 5 [m s^-1]

5.

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

315 [K]

Click OK.

Creating the Main Inlet Boundary

The main inlet boundary for the large pipe needs to be defined. This inlet is defined using a velocity profile found
in the examples directory. Profile data needs to be initialized before the boundary can be created.
You will create a plot showing the velocity profile data, marked by higher velocities near the center of the inlet,
and lower velocities near the inlet walls.
1.

Select Tools > Initialize Profile Data.

2.

Under Data File, click Browse

3.

From your working directory, select InjectMixer_velocity_profile.csv.

4.

Click Open.

5.

Click OK.

The profile data is read into memory.

6.

Select Insert > Boundary from the main menu or click Boundary

7.

Set name Name to main inlet.

8.

Click OK.

9.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

main inlet

Profile Boundary Conditions > (Selected)

Use Profile Data
Profile Boundary Setup >
Profile Name

main inlet

10. Click Generate Values.

This causes the profile values of U, V, W to be applied at the nodes on the main inlet boundary, and U, V, W
entries to be made in Boundary Details. To later modify the velocity values at the main inlet and reset values
to those read from the BC Profile file, revisit Basic Settings for this boundary and click Generate Values.
11. Apply the following settings
Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Flow Regime > Option

Subsonic

Turbulence > Option

Medium (Intensity = 5%)

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

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Creating the Main Outlet Boundary

Tab

Plot Options

Setting

Value

Heat Transfer > Static

Temperature

285 [K]

Boundary Contour

(Selected)

Boundary Contour > Profile

Variable

12. Click OK.

13. Zoom into the main inlet to view the inlet velocity contour.

Creating the Main Outlet Boundary

In this module you create the outlet boundary. All other surfaces which have not been explicitly assigned a boundary
will remain in the InjectMixer Default object, which is shown in the tree view. This boundary uses a
No-Slip Adiabatic Wall by default.
1.

Select Insert > Boundary from the main menu or click Boundary

2.

Set Name to outlet.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

outlet

Flow Regime > Option

Subsonic

Mass and Momentum > Option

Average Static Pressure

Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Boundary Details

5.

Click OK.

Setting Initial Values

For this tutorial, the initial values will be set automatically. An automatic guess is sufficient for this particular
problem.
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Click Close.

and review, but do not change, the current settings.

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Advection Scheme > Option

Specified Blend Factor

Advection Scheme > Blend

Factor

0.75

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Tab

Setting

Value

Convergence Control > Max. 50

Iterations
Convergence Control > Fluid Physical Timescale
Timescale Control > Timescale
Control
Convergence Control > Fluid 2 [s]a
Timescale Control > Physical
Timescale
Convergence Criteria >
Residual Type

RMS

Convergence Criteria >

Residual Target

1.E-4b

The physical timescale that will be setup is derived from the pipe diameter (1 m) and the rate at which the water flows in the pipe (0.5
m/s).
b
An RMS value of at least 1.E-5 is usually required for adequate convergence, but the default value is sufficient for demonstration purposes.

3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Once the problem has been defined you move from General Mode into CFX-Solver.
.

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

InjectMixer.def

Click Save.
The CFX-Solver input file (InjectMixer.def) is created. CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and,
on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

When you are finished, select File > Quit in CFX-Pre.

5.

Click Save & Quit if prompted, to save InjectMixer.cfx

6.

Proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 75).

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

At this point, CFX-Solver Manager is running, and the Define Run dialog box is displayed, with the CFX-Solver
input file set.
1.

Click Start Run.

2.

When the run ends, ensure that the check box next to Post-Process Results is cleared and click OK to close
the dialog box.

Moving from CFX-Solver Manager to CFD-Post

1.

Select Tools > Post-Process Results or click Post-Process Results

2.

If using CFX-Solver Manager in standalone mode, optionally select Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

3.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

When CFD-Post starts, the viewer and Outline workspace display by default.

Workflow Overview
This section provides a brief summary of the topics to follow as a general workflow:
1.

Modifying the Outline of the Geometry (p. 76)

2.

Creating and Modifying Streamlines Originating from the Main Inlet (p. 76)

3.

Modifying Streamline Color Ranges (p. 76)

4.

Coloring Streamlines with a Constant Color (p. 77)

5.

Creating Streamlines Originating from the Side Inlet (p. 77)

6.

Examining Turbulence Kinetic Energy (p. 78)

Modifying the Outline of the Geometry

Throughout this and the following examples, use your mouse and the Viewing Tools toolbar to manipulate the
geometry as required at any time.
1.

In the tree view, double-click Wireframe.

2.

Set the Edge Angle to 15 [degree].

3.

Click Apply.

Creating and Modifying Streamlines Originating from the Main

Inlet
When you complete this module you will see streamlines (mainly blue and green) starting at the main inlet of the
geometry and proceeding to the outlet. Above where the side pipe meets the main pipe, there is an area where the
flow re-circulates rather than flowing roughly tangent to the direction of the pipe walls.
1.

Select Insert > Streamline from the main menu or click Streamline

2.

Under Name, type MainStream.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Type

3D Streamline

Definition > Start From

main inlet

5.

Click Apply.

6.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer, select Predefined Camera from the shortcut menu, then select Isometric
View (Y up).
The pipe is displayed with the main inlet in the bottom right of the viewer.

Modifying Streamline Color Ranges

You can change the appearance of the streamlines using the Range setting on the Color tab.
1.

Under User Locations and Plots, modify the streamline object MainStream by applying the following settings

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Coloring Streamlines with a Constant Color

2.

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Range

Local

Click Apply.
The color map is fitted to the range of velocities found along the streamlines. The streamlines therefore
collectively contain every color in the color map.

3.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Range

User Specified

Min

0.2 [m s^-1]

Max

2.2 [m s^-1]

Note
Portions of streamlines that have values outside the range shown in the legend are colored according
to the color at the nearest end of the legend. When using tubes or symbols (which contain faces),
more accurate colors are obtained with lighting turned off.
4.

Click Apply.
The streamlines are colored using the specified range of velocity values.

Coloring Streamlines with a Constant Color

1.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Constant

Color

(Green)

Color can be set to green by selecting it from the color pallet, or by repeatedly clicking on the color box until
it cycles through to the default green color.
2.

Click Apply.

Creating Streamlines Originating from the Side Inlet

The following steps illustrate using this feature to add a streamline object that originates at the side inlet.
1.

Right-click MainStream and select Duplicate from the shortcut menu.

2.

In the Name window, type SideStream.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Double-click the newly created streamline, SideStream.

5.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Start From

side inlet

Color

Mode

Constant

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Examining Turbulence Kinetic Energy

Tab

6.

Setting

Value

Color

(Red)

Click Apply.
Red streamlines appear, starting from the side inlet.

7.

For better view, select Isometric View (Y up).

Examining Turbulence Kinetic Energy

Away from walls, turbulence kinetic energy has an influence on the level of mixing. A plane will be created to view
the Turbulence Kinetic Energy variable within the domain.

Note
This module has multiple changes compiled into single steps in preparation for other tutorials that provide
fewer specific instructions.
1.

Turn off the visibility of both the MainStream and the SideStream objects.

2.

Create a plane named Plane 1 that is normal to X and passing through the X = 0 Point. To do so, specific
instructions follow.

3.

1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Location > Plane and click OK.

2.

In the Details view set Definition > Method to YZ Plane and X to 0 [m].

3.

Click Apply.

Color the plane using the variable Turbulence Kinetic Energy, to show regions of high turbulence.
To do so, apply the settings below.
Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Turbulence Kinetic Energy

4.

Click Apply.

5.

Experiment with other variables to color this plane (for example, Temperature to show the temperature
mixing of the two streams).
Commonly used variables are in the drop-down menu. A full list of available variables can be viewed by
clicking

next to the Variable data box.

Quitting CFD-Post
1.

When you are finished, select File > Quit to exit CFD-Post.

2.

If prompted by a dialog box, save the state at your discretion.

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Chapter 6. Flow from a Circular Vent

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 79)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 80)

Before You Begin (p. 80)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 80)

Defining a Multiple-Analysis Simulation in CFX-Pre (p. 81)

Obtaining Solutions to the Steady-State and Transient Configurations (p. 90)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 91)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Setting up a transient problem in CFX-Pre.

Using an opening type boundary in CFX-Pre.

Making use of multiple configurations in CFX-Pre

Modeling smoke using additional variables in CFX-Pre.

Visualizing a smoke plume using an Isosurface in CFD-Post.

Creating an image for printing, and generating a movie in CFD-Post.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State
Transient

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Opening
Wall: No-Slip

Timestep

Auto Time Scale

Transient Example

Configuration

Multiple

Transient Results File

CFD-Post

Plots

Animation
Isosurface

Other

Auto Annotation
Movie Generation
Printing

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Time Step Selection
Title/Text
Transient Animation

Overview of the Problem to Solve

In this example, a chimney stack releases smoke that is dispersed into the atmosphere with an oncoming side wind
of 1 m/s. The turbulence will be set to intensity and length scale with a value of 0.05, which corresponds to 5%
turbulence, a medium level intensity, and with an eddy length scale value of 0.25 m. The goal of this tutorial is to
model the dispersion of the smoke from the chimney stack over time. Unlike previous tutorials, which were
steady-state, this example is time-dependent. Initially, no smoke is being released. Subsequently, the chimney starts
to release smoke. As a postprocessing exercise, you produce an animation that illustrates how the plume of smoke
develops with time.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:
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Defining a Multiple-Analysis Simulation in CFX-Pre

2.

CircVent.pre

CircVentMesh.gtm

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Multiple-Analysis Simulation in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run CircVent.pre. For details,
see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining Solutions to the Steady-State and Transient
Configurations (p. 90).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
This section describes the step-by-step definition of the flow physics in CFX-Pre for a simulation with two analyses.
First is a steady-state analysis with no smoke being produced by the chimney. The second analysis takes the setup
for the steady state and adapts it for a transient analysis. The results from the steady-state analysis will be used as
the initial guess for the transient analysis.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Set File name to CircVent.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned off.
Default Domain generation should be turned off because you will create a new domain manually, later in this
tutorial.

2.

Select File > Import > Mesh.

3.

From your working directory, select CircVentMesh.gtm.

4.

Click Open.

5.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up) from the
shortcut menu.

Creating an Additional Variable

In this tutorial an Additional Variable (non-reacting scalar component) will be used to model the dispersion of
smoke from the vent.

Note
While smoke is not required for the steady-state simulation, including it here prevents you from having
to set up time value interpolation in the transient analysis.
1.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Expressions, Functions and Variables > Additional Variable.

2.

Set Name to smoke.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Set Variable Type to Volumetric.

5.

Set Units to [kg m^-3].

6.

Click OK.

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Renaming the Analysis

Renaming the Analysis

To rename the existing analysis:
1.

From the Outline Tree, right-click Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 and click Rename.

2.

Rename the analysis to Steady State Analysis.

Creating the Domain

You will create a fluid domain that includes support for smoke as an Additional Variable.

To Create a New Domain

1.

Select Insert > Domain from the menu bar, or click Domain
OK.

2.

Apply the following settings

, then set the name to CircVent and click

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

B1.P3

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 Air at 25 C

> Material
Domain Models > Pressure > Reference 0 [atm]
Pressure
Fluid Models

Heat Transfer > Option

None

Additional Variable Models > Additional smoke

Variable
Additional Variable Models > Additional (Selected)
Variable > smoke
Additional Variable Models > Additional (Selected)
Variable > smoke > Kinematic
Diffusivity
Additional Variable Models > Additional 1.0E-5 [m^2 s^-1] [1 (p. 82)]
Variable > smoke > Kinematic
Diffusivity > Kinematic Diffusivity

Footnote
1.
3.

1.0E-5 [m^2 s^-1] is a representative kinematic diffusivity value for smoke in air.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

This is an example of external flow, since fluid is flowing over an object and not through an enclosure such as a
pipe network (which would be an example of internal flow). In external flow problems, some inlets will be made
sufficiently large that they do not affect the CFD solution. However, the length scale values produced by the Default
Intensity and AutoCompute Length Scale option for turbulence are based on inlet size. They are appropriate for
internal flow problems and particularly, cylindrical pipes. In general, you need to set the turbulence intensity and
length scale explicitly for large inlets in external flow problems. If you do not have a value for the length scale, you

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Creating the Boundaries

can use a length scale based on a typical length of the object over which the fluid is flowing. In this case, you will
choose a turbulence length scale which is one-tenth of the diameter of the vent.
For parts of the boundary where the flow direction changes, or is unknown, an opening boundary can be used. An
opening boundary allows flow to both enter and leave the fluid domain during the course of the analysis.

Inlet Boundary
You will create the inlet boundary with velocity components set consistently with the problem description.
1.

Select Insert > Boundary from the menu bar or click Boundary

2.

Set Name to Wind.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

Wind

Mass And Momentum > Option

Cart. Vel. Components

Mass and Momentum > U

1 [m s^-1]

Mass and Momentum > V

0 [m s^-1]

Mass and Momentum > W

0 [m s^-1]

Turbulence > Option

Intensity and Length Scale

Turbulence > Fractional Intensity

0.05 [1 (p. 83)]

Turbulence > Eddy Length Scale

0.25 [m] [1 (p. 83)]

Additional Variables > smoke > Option

Value

Additional Variables > smoke > Add. Var.

Value

0 [kg m^-3] [2 (p. 83)]

Boundary Details

Footnotes

5.

1.

From the problem description.

2.

The smoke value that will be set up corresponds to no smoke at the inlet.

Click OK.

Note
The boundary marker vectors used to display boundary conditions (inlets, outlets, openings) are normal
to the boundary surface regardless of the actual direction specification. To plot vectors in the direction
of flow, select Boundary Vector under the Plot Options tab for the inlet boundary, and on the Labels
and Markers Options tab (accessible from Case Options > Labels and Markers on the Outline tree
view), ensure that Settings > Show Boundary Markers is selected and Show Inlet Markers is cleared.

Opening Boundary
You will create an opening boundary with pressure and flow direction specified. If fluid enters the domain through
the opening, it should have turbulence intensity and length scale, as well as smoke concentration, set to the same
values as for the inlet.

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Creating the Boundaries

1.

Select Insert > Boundary from the menu bar or click Boundary

2.

Set Name to Atmosphere.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Opening

Location

Atmosphere

Mass And Momentum > Option

Opening Pres. and Dirn

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Flow Direction > Option

Normal to Boundary Condition

Turbulence > Option

Intensity and Length Scale

Turbulence > Fractional Intensity

0.05

Turbulence > Eddy Length Scale

0.25 [m]

Additional Variables > smoke > Option

Value

Additional Variables > smoke > Add. Var.

Value

0 [kg m^-3]

Boundary Details

5.

Click OK.

Inlet for the Vent

You will create the vent inlet boundary with a normal velocity of 0.01 m/s as prescribed in the problem description
and no smoke release. The turbulence level for the inlet vent will be determined from turbulence intensity and eddy
viscosity ratio.
1.

Select Insert > Boundary from the menu bar or click Boundary

2.

Set Name to Vent.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

Vent

Mass And Momentum > Normal Speed

0.01 [m s^-1]

Turbulence > Option

Intensity and Eddy Viscosity

Ratio

Turbulence > Fractional Intensity

0.05

Turbulence > Eddy Viscosity Ratio

10

Additional Variables > smoke > Option

Value

Additional Variables > smoke > Add. Var.

Value

0 [kg m^-3]

Boundary Details

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Setting Initial Values

5.

Click OK.

Setting Initial Values

For this tutorial, the automatic initial values are suitable. Review and apply the default settings:
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Review the settings for velocity, pressure, turbulence and the smoke.

3.

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

CFX-Solver has the ability to calculate physical time step size for steady-state problems. If you do not know the
time step size to set for your problem, you can use the Auto Timescale option.
1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

75

3.

Note that Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control > Timescale Control is set to Auto Timescale.

4.

Click OK.

Creating a Transient Flow Analysis

In this part of the tutorial, you will duplicate the steady-state analysis and adapt it to set up a transient flow analysis
in CFX-Pre.
1.

From the Outline tree view, right-click Simulation > Steady State Analysis and select Duplicate.

2.

Right-click Simulation > Copy of Steady State Analysis and select Rename.

3.

Rename the analysis to Transient Analysis.

Modifying the Analysis Type

In this step you will set the new analysis to a type of transient. Later, you will set the concentration of smoke for
the transient analysis to rise asymptotically to its final concentration with time, so it is necessary to ensure that the
interval between the time steps is smaller at the beginning of the simulation than at the end.
1.

In the Outline tree view, ensure that Simulation > Transient Analysis is expanded.

2.

From the Outline tree view, right-click Simulation > Transient Analysis > Analysis Type
and select Edit.

3.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Analysis Type > Option

Transient

Analysis Type > Time Duration > Total 30 [s]

Time
Analysis Type > Time Steps >
Timesteps [1 (p. 86), 2 (p. 86)]

4*0.25, 2*0.5, 2*1.0, 13*2.0 [s]

Analysis Type > Initial Time > Option Value

Analysis Type > Initial Time > Time

0 [s]

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Modifying the Boundary Conditions

Footnotes

4.

1.

Do not click Enter Expression

to enter lists of values. Enter the list without the units,
then set the units in the drop-down list.

2.

This list specifies 4 timesteps of 0.25 [s], then 2 timesteps of 0.5 [s], and so on.

Click OK.

Modifying the Boundary Conditions

The only boundary condition that needs altering for the transient analysis is the Vent boundary condition. In the
steady-state calculation, this boundary had a small amount of air flowing through it. In the transient calculation,
more air passes through the vent and there is a time-dependent concentration of smoke in the air. This is initially
zero, but builds up to a larger value. The smoke concentration will be specified using the CFX Expression Language.

To Modify the Vent Inlet Boundary Condition

1.

In the Outline tree view, ensure that Simulation > Transient Analysis > CircVent is expanded.

2.

Right-click Simulation > Transient Analysis > CircVent > Vent and select Edit.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Mass And Momentum > Normal Speed

0.2 [m s^-1]

Leave the Vent details view open for now.

You are going to create an expression for smoke concentration. The concentration is zero for time t=0 and
builds up to a maximum of 1 kg m^-3.
4.

Create a new expression by selecting Insert > Expressions, Functions and Variables > Expression from the
menu bar. Set the name to TimeConstant.

5.

Apply the following settings

Name

Definition

TimeConstant

3 [s]

6.

Click Apply to create the expression.

7.

Create the following expressions with specific settings, remembering to click Apply after each is defined:
Name

Definition

FinalConcentration

1 [kg m^-3]

ExpFunction [1 (p. 86)]

FinalConcentration*abs(1-exp(-t/TimeConstant))

Footnote
1.

When entering this function, you can select most of the required items by right-clicking in the
Definition window in the Expression details view instead of typing them. The names of the
existing expressions are under the Expressions menu. The exp and abs functions are under
Functions > CEL. The variable t is under Variables.

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Modifying the Boundary Conditions

Note
The abs function takes the modulus (or magnitude) of its argument. Even though the expression
(1- exp (-t/TimeConstant)) can never be less than zero, the abs function is included to ensure that
the numerical error in evaluating it near to zero will never make the expression evaluate to a negative
number.
Next, you will visualize how the concentration of smoke issued from the vent varies with time.

Plotting Smoke Concentration

1.

Double-click ExpFunction in the Expressions tree view.

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Plot

(Selected)

t > Start of Range

0 [s]

t > End of Range

30 [s]

Click Plot Expression.

The button name then changes to Define Plot, as shown.

As can be seen, the smoke concentration rises to its asymptotic value reaching 90% of its final value at around
7 seconds.
4.

Click the Boundary: Vent tab.

In the next step, you will apply the expression ExpFunction to the additional variable smoke as it applies
to the Transient Analysis boundary Vent.

5.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Additional Variables > smoke > Option

Value

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Initialization Values
Tab

Setting

Value

Additional Variables > smoke > Add. Var. Value

ExpFunction

[1 (p. 88)]

Footnote
1.
6.

Click Enter Expression

to enter text.

Click OK.

Initialization Values
When the Transient Analysis is run, the initial values to the CFX-Solver will be taken from the results of
the Steady State Analysis. The steady state and transient analyses will be sequenced by setting up the
configurations of these analyses in a subsequent step. For the moment, you can leave all of the initialization data
set for the Transient Analysis to Automatic and the initial values will be read automatically from the
Steady State Analysis results. Therefore, there is no need to revisit the initialization settings.

Modifying the Solver Control

1.

In the Outline tree view, ensure that Simulation > Transient Analysis > Solver is expanded.

2.

Right-click Simulation > Transient Analysis > Solver > Solver Control and select Edit.

3.

Set Convergence Control > Max. Coeff. Loops to 3.

4.

Leave the other settings at their default values.

5.

Click OK to set the solver control parameters.

Output Control
To allow results to be viewed at different time steps, it is necessary to create transient results files at specified times.
The transient results files do not have to contain all solution data. In this step, you will create minimal transient
results files.

To Create Minimal Transient Results Files

1.

In the Outline tree view, double click Simulation > Transient Analysis > Solver > Output
Control.

2.

Click the Trn Results tab.

3.

In the Transient Results tree view, click Add new item

click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings to Transient Results 1:

, set Name to Transient Results 1, and

Setting

Value

Option

Selected Variables

Output Variables List [1 (p. 89)]

Pressure, Velocity, smoke

Output Frequency > Option

Time List

Output Frequency > Time List [2 (p. 89)]

1, 2, 3 [s]

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Configuring Simulation Control

Footnotes
1.

Click the Ellipsis

icon to select items if they do not appear in the drop-down list. Use the
Ctrl key to select multiple items.

2.

to enter lists of values. Enter the list without the units,

Do not click Enter Expression
then set the units in the drop-down list.

5.

Click Apply.

6.

In the Transient Results tree view, click Add new item

click OK.

set Name to Transient Results 2, and

This creates a second transient results object. Each object can result in the production of many transient results
files.
7.

Apply the following settings to Transient Results 2:

Setting

Value

Option

Selected Variables

Output Variables List

Pressure, Velocity, smoke

Output Frequency > Option

Time Interval

Output Frequency > Time Interval [1 (p. 89)]

4 [s]

Footnote
1.

8.

A transient results file will be produced every 4 s (including 0 s) and at 1 s, 2 s and 3 s. The
files will contain no mesh, and data for only the three selected variables. This reduces the size
of the minimal results files. A full results file is always written at the end of the run.

Click OK.

Configuring Simulation Control

With two types of analysis for this simulation, configuration control is used to sequence these analyses.

Configuration Control for the Steady State Analysis

To set up the Steady State Analysis so that it will start at the beginning of the simulation:
1.

In the Outline tree view, ensure that Simulation Control is expanded.

2.

Right-click Simulation Control > Configurations and select Insert > Configuration.

3.

Set Name to Steady State.

4.

Click OK.

5.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

General Settings

Flow Analysis

Steady State Analysis

Activation Conditions > Activation Condition Start of Simulation

1 > Option
6.

Click OK.

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input File

Configuration Control for the Transient Analysis

To set up the Transient Analysis so that it will start upon the completion of the Steady State Analysis:
1.

Right-click Simulation Control > Configurations and select Insert > Configuration.

2.

Set Name to Transient.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

General Settings

Flow Analysis

Transient Analysis

Activation Conditions > Activation Condition End of Configuration

1 > Option
Activation Conditions > Activation Condition Steady State
1 > Configuration Name
Run Definition

Configuration Execution Control

Selected

Configuration Execution Control > Initial

Values Specification

Selected

Configuration Execution Control > Initial Configuration Results

Values Specification > Initial Values > Initial
Values 1 > Option
Configuration Execution Control > Initial Steady State
Values Specification > Initial Values > Initial
Values 1 > Configuration Name
5.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input File

1.

From the Outline tree view, right-click Simulation Control and select Write Solver Input File.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File of type

CFX-Solver Input Files (*.mdef)

File name

CircVent.mdef

Click Save.
This will create CircVent.mdef as well as a directory named CircVent that contains SteadyState.cfg
and Transient.cfg.

4.

Quit CFX-Pre, saving the case (.cfx) file.

Obtaining Solutions to the Steady-State and

Transient Configurations
You can obtain a solution to the steady-state and transient configurations by using the following procedure.
1.

Start CFX-Solver Manager.

2.

From the menu bar, select File > Define Run.

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

3.

4.

Apply the following settings

Setting

Value

Solver Input File

CircVent.mdef

Edit Configuration

Global Settings

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver Manager will start with the solution of the steady-state configuration.

5.

In the Workspace drop-down menu, select SteadyState_001. The residual plots for six equations will
appear: U - Mom, V - Mom, W - Mom, P - Mass, K-TurbKE, and E-Diss.K (the three momentum conservation
equations, the mass conservation equation and equations for the turbulence kinetic energy and turbulence eddy
dissipation). The Momentum and Mass tab contains four of the plots and the other two are under Turbulence
Quantities. The residual for the smoke equation is also plotted but registers no values since it is not initialized.

6.

Upon the successful completion of the steady-state configuration, the solution of the transient configuration
starts automatically. Notice that the text output generated by the CFX-Solver in the Run Transient 001
Workspace will be more than you have seen for steady-state problems. This is because each timestep consists
of several inner (coefficient) iterations. At the end of each timestep, information about various quantities is
printed to the text output area. The residual for the smoke equation is now plotted under the Additional
Variables tab.

7.

Upon the successful completion of the transient configuration, ensure that the check box beside Post-Process
Results is cleared and click OK to close the message indicating the successful completion of the transient
solution.

8.

Upon the successful completion of the combined steady-state and transient configurations, ensure that the
check box beside Post-Process Results is cleared and click OK to close the message indicating the successful
completion of the simulation.

9.

In the CFX-Solver Manager, set Workspace to Run CircVent 001.

10. From the menu bar, select Tools > Post-Process Results.
11. On the Start CFD-Post dialog box, select Shut down CFX-Solver Manager and click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

In this tutorial, you will create an isosurface to illustrate the pattern of smoke concentration. Also, you will view
results at different time steps. Finally, you will animate the results to view the dispersion of smoke from the vent
over time, and you will save the animation as an MPEG file.

Displaying Smoke Density Using an Isosurface

An isosurface is a surface of constant value of a variable. For instance, it could be a surface consisting of all points
where the velocity is 1 [m s^-1]. In this case, you are going to create an isosurface of smoke concentration (smoke
is the Additional Variable that you specified earlier).
1.

In CFD-Post, right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).
This ensures that the view is set to a position that is best suited to display the results.

2.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Isosurface, or under Location on the toolbar, click Isosurface.

3.

Click OK to accept the default name.

4.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Variable

smoke

Value

0.005 [kg m^-3]

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Viewing the Results at Different Time Steps

5.

6.

Click Apply.

A bumpy surface is displayed, showing the smoke emanating from the vent.

The surface is rough because the mesh is coarse. For a smoother surface, you would re-run the problem
with a smaller mesh length scale.

The surface will be a constant color because the default settings on the Color tab were used.

When Color Mode is set to either Constant or Use Plot Variable for an isosurface, the isosurface
is displayed in one color.

In Geometry, experiment by changing the Value setting so that you can see the shape of the plume more
clearly.
Zoom in and rotate the geometry, as required.

7.

When you have finished, set Value to 0.002 [kg m^-3].

8.

Right-click a blank spot in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).

Viewing the Results at Different Time Steps

When CFD-Post is loaded, the results that are immediately available are those at the final time step; in this case, at
t = 30 s (this is nominally designated Final State). The Timestep Selector shows the Configuration, the step of
the Simulation, the Step (outer loop) number, the Time (simulated time in seconds) of the configuration and the
Type of results file that was saved at that time step for the configuration. You can see that Partial results files were
saved (as requested in CFX-Pre) for all time steps in the transient configuration except for the last one.
1.

Click Timestep Selector

2.

Load the results for a Time value of 2 s by double-clicking the appropriate row in the Timestep Selector.

After a short pause, the Current Timestep (located just below the title bar of the Timestep Selector) will be
updated with the new time step number.
3.

Load the time value of 4 s using the Timestep Selector.

The smoke has now spread out even more, and is being carried by the wind.

4.

Double-click some more time values to see how the smoke plume grows with time.

5.

Finish by loading a time value of 12 s.

Generating Titled Image Files

You can produce titled image output from CFD-Post.

Adding a Title
First, you will add text to the viewer so that the printed output has a title.
1.

Select Insert > Text from the menu bar or click Create text

2.

Click OK to accept default name.

3.

In the Text String box, enter the following text.

Isosurface showing smoke concentration of 0.002 kg/m^3 after

Note
Further text will be added at a later stage to complete this title.
4.

Select Embed Auto Annotation.

5.

Set Type to Time Value.

In the text line, note that <aa> has been added to the end. This is where the time value will be placed.
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Generating a Movie
6.

Click Apply to create the title.

7.

Click the Location tab to modify the position of the title.

The default settings for text objects center text at the top of the screen. To experiment with the position of the
text, change the settings on the Location tab.

8.

Under the Appearance tab, change Color Mode to User Specified and select a new color.

9.

Click Apply.

JPEG output
CFD-Post can save images in several different formats. In this section you will save an image in JPEG format.
1.

Select File > Save Picture, or click Save Picture

2.

Set Format to JPEG.

3.

Click Browse

4.

Browse to the directory where you want the file saved.

5.

Enter a name for the JPEG file.

6.

Click Save to set the file name and directory.

next to the File data box.

This sets the path and name for the file.

7.

To save the file, click Save on the Save Picture dialog box.
To view the file or make a hard copy, use an application that supports JPEG files.

8.

Turn off the visibility of the text object to hide it.

Generating a Movie
You can generate an MPEG file to show the transient flow of the plume of smoke. To generate a movie file, you
use the Animation dialog box.
1.

In the Timestep Selector, ensure that a time value of 0 s is loaded.

2.

Click Animation

3.

Ensure that Quick Animation is selected.

4.

Position the geometry so that you will be able to see the plume of smoke.

5.

In the object tree of the Animation dialog box, click Timesteps.

6.

Click More Animation Options

7.

Ensure that the Repeat forever button

8.

Select Save Movie.

9.

Set Format to MPEG1.

10. Click Browse

to show more animation settings.

next to Repeat is not selected (not depressed).

next to Save Movie.

11. Set File name to CircVent.mpg.

12. If required, set the path location to a different directory.
13. Click Save.
The movie file name (including path) has been set, but the animation has not yet been produced.
14. Click Play the animation

The movie will be created as the animation proceeds.

This will be slow, since results for each timestep will be loaded and objects will be created.

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Generating a Movie

To view the movie file, you need to use a viewer that supports the MPEG format.

Note
To explore additional animation options, click the Options button. On the Advanced tab of
Animation Options, there is a check box called Save Frames As Image Files. By selecting this
check box, the JPEG or PPM files used to encode each frame of the movie will persist after movie
creation; otherwise, they will be deleted.
15. When you have finished, quit CFD-Post.

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Chapter 7. Flow Around a Blunt Body

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 95)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 96)

Before You Begin (p. 96)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 96)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 97)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 101)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 105)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Solving and post-processing a case where the geometry has been omitted on one side of a symmetry plane.

Using free-slip wall boundaries as a compromise between accurate flow modeling and computational grid size.

Accurately modeling the near-wall flow using Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model.

Running the CFX-Solver in parallel (optional).

Creating vector plots in CFD-Post with uniform spacing between the vectors.

Creating a macro using power syntax in CFD-Post.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

Ideal Gas

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

Shear Stress Transport

Heat Transfer

Isothermal

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Symmetry Plane
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Free-Slip

Timestep
CFX-Solver Manager

Parallel processing

CFD-Post

Plots

Physical Time Scale

Default Locators
Outline Plot (Wireframe)
Sampling Plane
Streamline
Vector

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Volume

Other

Changing the Color Range

Instancing Transformation
Lighting Adjustment
Symmetry
Viewing the Mesh

Overview of the Problem to Solve

In this tutorial, a generic vehicle body is placed into an oncoming side wind of 15 m/s. The turbulence will be set
to Intensity and Length scale with a value of 0.05, which corresponds to 5% turbulence, a medium level intensity,
and with an Eddy Length scale value of 0.1 m.
The goal of this tutorial is to accurately model the behavior of the flow around the body. Since both the geometry
and the flow are symmetric about a vertical plane, only half of the geometry will be used to find the CFD solution.
The overall approach to solving this problem is to first set the free-slip wall boundaries on the sides of and above
the domain. The near-wall flow will then be modeled using Shear Stress Transport. Vector plots will finally be
created to display the near wall flow behavior.

Figure 7.1. External Air Flow Over a Generic Vehicle Body

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

BluntBody.pre

BluntBodyDist.cse

BluntBodyMesh.gtm
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Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

2.

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run BluntBody.pre. For details,
see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 101).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type BluntBody.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned off.
Default Domain generation should be turned off because you will create a new domain manually, later in this
tutorial.

2.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other. The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

3.

Apply the following settings:

4.

Setting

Value

File name

BluntBodyMesh.gtm

Click Open.

Creating the Domain

The flow of air in the domain is expected to be turbulent and approximately isothermal at 288 K. The
Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model with automatic wall function treatment will be used because of its
highly accurate predictions of flow separation. To take advantage of the SST model, the boundary layer should be
resolved with at least 10 mesh nodes. In order to reduce computational time, the mesh in this tutorial is much coarser
than that.
This tutorial uses air as an ideal gas as the fluid. When modeling a compressible flow using the ideal gas
approximation to calculate density variations, it is important to set a realistic reference pressure. This is because
some fluid properties depend on the absolute fluid pressure (calculated as the static pressure plus the reference
pressure which is chosen to be 1 atm).

Tip
For more details, see The Shear Stress Transport (SST) (p. 61).
1.

Ensure that Flow Analysis 1 > Default Domain is deleted. If not, right-click Default Domain
and select Delete.

2.

Click Domain

3.

Apply the following settings to BluntBody:

, and set the name to BluntBody.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

B1.P3

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Creating Composite Regions

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 > Material Air Ideal Gas

Fluid Models

4.

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure

1 [atm]

Heat Transfer > Option

Isothermal

Heat Transfer > Fluid Temperature

288 [K]

Turbulence > Option

Shear Stress Transport

Click OK.

Creating Composite Regions

An imported mesh may contain many 2D regions. For the purpose of creating boundary conditions, it can sometimes
be useful to group several 2D regions together and apply a single boundary to the composite 2D region. In this case,
you are going to create a Union between two regions that both require a free-slip wall boundary.
1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Regions > Composite Region.

2.

Set the name to FreeWalls and click OK.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Dimension (Filter)

2D

4.

Click
beside the Region List dialog box, to display the Selection Dialog. Hold down the Ctrl key and
select Free1 and Free2.

5.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

The simulation requires inlet, outlet, wall (no slip and free-slip) and symmetry plane boundaries. The regions for
these boundaries were defined when the mesh was created (except for the composite region just created for the
free-slip wall boundary).

Inlet Boundary
1.

Click Boundary

2.

Under Name, type Inlet.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

Inlet

Flow Regime > Option

Subsonic

Mass and Momentum > Option

Normal Speed

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed

15 [m s^-1]

Boundary Details

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Creating the Boundaries

Tab

Setting

Value

Turbulence > Option

Intensity and Length Scale

Turbulence > Fractional Intensity

0.05a

Turbulence > Eddy Length Scale

0.1 [m]a

From the problem description.

4.

Click OK.

Outlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named Outlet.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

Outlet

Mass and Momentum > Option

Static Pressure

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Free-Slip Wall Boundary

The top and side surfaces of the rectangular region will use free-slip wall boundaries.

On free-slip walls the shear stress is set to zero so that the fluid is not retarded.

The velocity normal to the wall is also set to zero.

The velocity parallel to the wall is calculated during the solution.

This boundary is an approximation that may not accurately represent the true flow conditions. By using a free-slip
wall boundary, the flow modeling will be less accurate but the computational grid size can be reduced by modeling
less of the surroundings. If this case were modeling a wind tunnel experiment, the geometry would match the size
and shape of the wind tunnel and use no-slip walls. If this case were modeling a blunt body open to the atmosphere,
a much larger domain would be used to minimize the effect of the far-field boundary, and the far-field boundary
type would be set to either a free-slip wall or a pressure-specified entrainment opening.
You will apply a single boundary to both walls by using the composite region defined earlier.
1.

Create a new boundary named FreeWalls.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

FreeWalls

Mass and Momentum > Option

Free Slip Wall

Boundary Details
3.

Click OK.

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Setting Initial Values

Symmetry Plane Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named SymP.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

SymP

Click OK.

Wall Boundary on the Blunt Body Surface

1.

Create a new boundary named Body.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

Body

Mass and Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Boundary Details
3.

Click OK.

The remaining 2D regions (in this case, just the low Z face) will be assigned the default boundary which is an
adiabatic, no-slip wall condition. In this case, the name of the default boundary is BluntBody Default. Although
the boundaries Body and BluntBody Default are identical (except for their locations), the Body boundary was
created so that, during post-processing, its location can be conveniently distinguished from the other adiabatic,
no-slip wall surfaces.

Setting Initial Values

The initial conditions are consistent with inlet boundaries.
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Global Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > U

15 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > V

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > W

0 [m s^-1]

Click OK.

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Setting Solver Control

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

60

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control >

Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control >

Physical Timescale

2 [s]a

Convergence Criteria > Residual Target

1e-05

Based on the air speed and the size of the object.

3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

BluntBody.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

This tutorial introduces the parallel solver capabilities of CFX.

Note
The results produced will be identical, whether produced by a parallel or serial run.
If you do not want to solve this tutorial in parallel (on more than one processor) or you do not have a license to run
the CFX-Solver in parallel, proceed to Obtaining a Solution in Serial (p. 101).
If you do not know if you have a license to run the CFX-Solver in parallel, you should either ask your system
administrator, or query the license server (see the ANSYS, Inc. Licensing Guide (which is installed with the ANSYS
License Manager) for details). Alternatively proceed to Obtaining a Solution in Serial (p. 101).
If you would like to solve this tutorial in parallel on the same machine, proceed to Obtaining a Solution with Local
Parallel (p. 102).
If you would like to solve this tutorial in parallel across different machines, proceed to Obtaining a Solution with
Distributed Parallel (p. 103).

Obtaining a Solution in Serial

When CFX-Solver Manager has started, you can obtain a solution to the CFD problem by using the following
procedure.
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Obtaining a Solution in Parallel

1.

Click Start Run.

2.

When CFX-Solver is finished, select the check box next to Post-Process Results.

3.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

4.

Click OK. Continue this tutorial from Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 105).

Obtaining a Solution in Parallel

Background to Parallel Running in CFX
Using the parallel capability of the CFX-Solver allows you to divide a large CFD problem so that it can run on more
than one processor/machine at once. This saves time and, when multiple machines are used, avoids problems which
arise when a CFD calculation requires more memory than a single machine has available. The partition (division)
of the CFD problem is automatic.
A number of events occur when you set up a parallel run and then ask the CFX-Solver to calculate the solution:

Your mesh will be divided into the number of partitions that you have chosen.

The CFX-Solver runs separately on each of the partitions on the selected machine(s).

The results that one CFX-Solver process calculates affects the other CFX-Solver processes at the interface
between the different sections of the mesh.

All of the CFX-Solver processes are required to communicate with each other and this is handled by the master
process.

The master process always runs on the machine that you are logged into when the parallel run starts. The other
CFX-Solver processes are slave processes and may be run on other machines.

After the problem has been solved, a single results file is written. It will be identical to a results file from the
same problem run as a serial process, with one exception: an extra variable Real partition number will
be available for the parallel run. This variable will be used later in this tutorial during post processing.

Obtaining a Solution with Local Parallel

To run in local parallel mode, the machine you are on must have more than one processor.
In CFX-Solver Manager, the Define Run dialog box should already be open.
1.

Leave Type of Run set to Full.

If Type of Run was instead set to Partitioner Only, your mesh would be split into a number of partitions
but would not be run in the CFX-Solver afterwards.

2.

Set Run Mode to a parallel mode suitable for your configuration; for example, HP MPI Local Parallel.
This is the recommended method for most applications.

3.

If required, click Add Partition

to add more partitions.

By default, 2 partitions are assigned.

4.

Select Show Advanced Controls.

5.

Click the Partitioner tab at the top of the dialog box.

6.

Use the default MeTiS partitioner.

Your model will be divided into two sections, with each section running in its own CFX-Solver process. The
default is the MeTiS partitioner because it produces more efficient partitions than either Recursive
Coordinate Bisection or User Specified Direction.

7.

Click Start Run.

8.

When CFX-Solver is finished, select the check box next to Post-Process Results.

9.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

10. Click OK.

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Obtaining a Solution in Parallel

Continue this tutorial from Text Output when Running in Parallel (p. 104).

Obtaining a Solution with Distributed Parallel

Before running in Distributed Parallel mode, please ensure that your system has been configured as described in
the installation documentation.
In CFX-Solver Manager, the Define Run dialog box should already be open.
1.

Leave Type of Run set to Full.

If Type of Run was instead set to Partitioner Only, your mesh would be split into a number of partitions
but would not be run in the CFX-Solver afterwards.

2.

Set Run Mode to a parallel mode suitable for your environment; for example, HP MPI Distributed
Parallel.
The name of the machine that you are currently logged into should be in the Host Name list. You are going
to run with two partitions on two different machines, so another machine must be added.

3.

Click Insert Host

to specify a new host machine.

The Select Parallel Hosts dialog box is displayed. This is where you choose additional machines to run
your processes.

Your system administrator should have set up a hosts file containing a list of the machines that are available
to run the parallel CFX-Solver.

The Host Name column displays names of available hosts.

The second column shows the number of processors on that machine.

The third shows the relative processor speed: a processor on a machine with a relative speed of 1 would
typically be twice as fast as a machine with a relative speed of 0.5.

The last column displays operating system information.

This information is read from the hosts file; if any information is missing or incorrect your system
administrator should correct the hosts file.

Note
The # processors, relative speed and system information does not have to be specified to be
able to run on a host.
4.

Select the name of another machine in the Host Name list.

Select a machine that you can log into.

5.

Click Add.
The name of the machine is added to the Host Name column.

Note
Ensure that the machine that you are currently logged into is in the Hosts Name list in the Define
Run dialog box.
6.

Close the Select Parallel Hosts dialog box.

7.

Select Show Advanced Controls.

8.

Click the Partitioner tab at the top of the dialog box.

9.

Use the default MeTiS partitioner.

Your model will be divided into two sections, with each section running in its own CFX-Solver process. The
default is the MeTiS partitioner because it produces more efficient partitions than either Recursive
Coordinate Bisection or User Specified Direction.

10. Click Start Run to begin the parallel run.

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Obtaining a Solution in Parallel

11. Click OK on the pop-up message.
12. When CFX-Solver is finished, select the check box next to Post-Process Results.
13. If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.
14. Click OK.

Text Output when Running in Parallel

The text output area shows what is being written to the output file. You will see information similar to the following:

+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
Job Information
|
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Run mode:

partitioning run

Host computer:
Job started:

fastmachine1
Tue Jan 20 14:13:27 2009

This tells you that the information following is concerned with the partitioning. After the partitioning job has finished,
you will find:

+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
Partitioning Information
|
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Partitioning information for domain: BluntBody
+------------------+------------------------+-----------------+
|
Elements
|
Vertices
|
Faces
|
+------+------------------+------------------------+-----------------+
| Part |
Number
%
|
Number
%
%Ovlp | Number
%
|
+------+------------------+------------------------+-----------------+
| Full |
131878
|
37048
|
11318
|
+------+------------------+------------------------+-----------------+
|
1 |
67873
50.4 |
19431
50.4
4.0 |
5705
49.5 |
|
2 |
66865
49.6 |
19151
49.6
4.0 |
5820
50.5 |
+------+------------------+------------------------+-----------------+
| Sum |
134738 100.0 |
38582 100.0
4.0 |
11525 100.0 |
+------+------------------+------------------------+-----------------+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
Partitioning CPU-Time Requirements
|
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
-

Preparations
Low-level mesh partitioning
Global partitioning information
Element and face partitioning information
Vertex partitioning information
Partitioning information compression
Summed CPU-time for mesh partitioning

3.689E-01
5.599E-02
9.998E-03
7.999E-03
0.000E+00
0.000E+00
4.609E-01

seconds
seconds
seconds
seconds
seconds
seconds
seconds

+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
Job Information
|
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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Host computer:
Job finished:

fastmachine1
Tue Jan 20 14:13:29 2009

Total CPU time: 9.749E-01 seconds

or: (
0:
0:
(
Days:
Hours:

0:
Minutes:

0.975 )
Seconds )

Total wall clock time: 2.000E+00 seconds

or: (
0:
0:
(
Days:
Hours:

0:
Minutes:

2.000 )
Seconds )

This marks the end of the partitioning job. The CFX-Solver now begins to solve your parallel run:
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
Job Information
|
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Run mode:
parallel run (HP MPI Distributed Parallel)
Host computer: fastmachine1
Par. Process:
Master running on mesh partition:
1
Job started:
Thu Nov 28 15:19:20 2005
Host computer: slowermachine
Par. Process:
Slave running on mesh partition:
2
Job started:
Thu Nov 28 15:24:55 2005
The machine that you are logged into runs the master process, and controls the overall simulation. The second
machine selected will run the slave process. If you had more than two processes, each additional process is run as
a slave process.
The master process in this example is running on the mesh partition number 1 and the slave is running on partition
number 2. You can find out which nodes and elements are in each partition by using CFD-Post later on in the tutorial.
When the CFX-Solver finishes, the output file displays the job information and a pop-up message to indicate
completion of the run.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

In CFD-Post, you will create an instance transform object to recreate the full geometry. This full geometry will then
be displayed using a reflection transform. You will also create a vector plot that will let you see how the flow
behaves around the body as well as a pressure plot displaying the pressure distribution on the body. In order to show
the path of air along the surface of the blunt body, you will make a surface streamline. Finally, the values of the
+

dimensionless wall distance y will be examined to make sure the mesh used in the simulation was fine enough
near the walls.

Using Symmetry Plane to Display the Full Geometry

Earlier in this tutorial you used a symmetry plane boundary because the entire blunt body is symmetrical about a
plane. Due to this symmetry, it was necessary to use only half of the full geometry to calculate the CFD results.
However, for visualization purposes, it is helpful to use the full blunt body. CFD-Post is able to recreate the full
data set from the half that was originally calculated. This is done by creating an Instance Transform object.

Manipulating the Geometry

You need to manipulate the geometry so that you will be able to see what happens when you use the symmetry
plane. The CFD-Post features that you have used in earlier tutorials will not be described in detail. New features
will be described in detail.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards +X.

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Creating Velocity Vectors

Creating an Instance Transform

Instance Transforms are used to visualize a full geometry representation in cases where the simulation took advantage
of symmetry to solve for only part of the geometry. There are three types of transforms that you can use: Rotation,
Translation, Reflection/Mirroring. In this tutorial, you will create a Reflection transform located on a plane.
1.

Click Location > Plane and set the name to Reflection Plane.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

ZX Plane

Definition > Y

0.0 [m]

Show Faces

(cleared)

Render
3.

Click Apply.
This creates a plane at y=0, the same location as the symmetry plane defined in CFX-Pre. Now the instance
transform can be created using this plane:

4.

From the main menu, select Insert > Instance Transform and accept the default name.

5.

Apply the following settings:

6.

Tab

Setting

Value

Definition

Instancing Info From Domain

(Cleared)

Apply Rotation

(Cleared)

Apply Reflection

(Selected)

Apply Reflection > Plane

Reflection Plane

Click Apply.

Using the Reflection Transform

You can apply the new transform to graphics objects. For example, you can modify the display of the wireframe
as follows:
1.

Under the Outline tab, in User Locations and Plots, apply the following settings to Wireframe:
Tab

Setting

Value

View

Apply Instancing Transform > Transform

Instance Transform 1

2.

Click Apply.

3.

Zoom so that the geometry fills the Viewer.

You will see the full blunt body.

In this case, you created a new instance transform and applied it to the wireframe. This caused only the wireframe
object to be mirrored. If you had modified the default transform instead of creating a new one, then all graphics
(including those not yet made) would be mirrored by default.

Creating Velocity Vectors

You are now going to create a vector plot to show velocity vectors behind the blunt body. You need to first create
an object to act as a locator, which, in this case, will be a sampling plane. Then, create the vector plot itself.
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Creating Velocity Vectors

Creating the Sampling Plane

A sampling plane is a plane with evenly spaced sampling points on it.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards +Y.
This ensures that the changes can be seen.

2.

Create a new plane named Sample.

3.

Apply the following settings to create a sampling plane that is parallel to the ZX plane and located at x= 6 m,
y= 0.001 m and z= 1 m relative to blunt object:
Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

Point and Normal

Definition > Point

6, -0.001, 1

Definition > Normal

0, 1, 0

Plane Bounds > Type

Rectangular

Plane Bounds > X Size

2.5 [m]

Plane Bounds > Y Size

2.5 [m]

Plane Type

Sample

Plane Type > X Samples

20

Plane Type > Y Samples

20

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Render

4.

Click Apply.
You can zoom in on the sampling plane to see the location of the sampling points (where lines intersect). There
are a total of 400 (20 * 20) sampling points on the plane. A vector can be created at each sampling point.

5.

Turn off the visibility of Sample.

Creating a Vector Plot Using Different Sampling Methods

1.

Click Vector

and accept the default name.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Locations

Sample

Definition > Sampling

Vertex

Symbol Size

0.25

Symbol
3.

Click Apply.

4.

Zoom until the vector plot is roughly the same size as the viewer.
You should be able to see a region of recirculation behind the blunt body.

5.

Ignore the vertices on the sampling plane and increase the density of the vectors by applying the following
settings:

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Displaying Pressure Distribution on Body and Symmetry Plane

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Sampling

Equally Spaced

Definition > # of Points

1000

6.

Click Apply.

7.

Change the location of the Vector plot by applying the following setting:

8.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Locations

SymP

Click Apply.

Displaying Pressure Distribution on Body and Symmetry Plane

1.

Apply the following settings to the boundary named Body:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Pressure

Apply Instancing Transform > Transform

Instance Transform 1

View
2.

Click Apply.

3.

Apply the following settings to SymP:

4.

Tab

Setting

Value

Render

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Click Apply.
You will be able to see the mesh around the blunt body, with the mesh length scale decreasing near the body,
but still coarse in the region of recirculation. By zooming in, you will be able to see the layers of inflated
elements near the body.

Creating Surface Streamlines to Display the Path of Air along

the Surface of the Body
In order to show the path of air along the surface of the blunt body, surface streamlines can be made as follows:
1.

Turn off the visibility of Body, SymP and Vector 1.

2.

Create a new plane named Starter.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

YZ Plane

-0.1 [m]

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Moving Objects
4.

Click Apply.

5.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).
The plane appears just upstream of the blunt body.

6.

Turn off the visibility of the plane.

This hides the plane from view, although the plane still exists.
and click OK to accept the default name.

7.

Click Streamline

8.

Apply the following settings:

9.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Type

Surface Streamline

Definition > Surfaces

Body

Definition > Start From

Locations

Definition > Locations

Starter

Definition > Max Points

100

Definition > Direction

Forward

Click Apply.

The surface streamlines appear on half of the surface of the blunt body. They start near the upstream end because
the starting points were formed by projecting nodes from the plane to the blunt body.

Moving Objects
In CFD-Post, you can reposition some locator objects directly in the viewer by using the mouse.
1.

Turn on the visibility of the plane named Starter.

2.

Select the

3.

In the viewer, click the Starter plane to select it, then use the left mouse button to drag it along the X axis.

Single Select mouse pointer from the Selection Tools toolbar.

Notice that the streamlines are redrawn as the plane moves. The rate at which the streamlines are redrawn is
dependent on your computer's speed. If the streamlines are updated infrequently, you may find it useful to
move the mouse very slowly.

Creating a Surface Plot of y+

The velocity next to a no-slip wall boundary changes rapidly from a value of zero at the wall to the free stream
value a short distance away from the wall. This layer of high velocity gradient is known as the boundary layer.
Many meshes are not fine enough near a wall to accurately resolve the velocity profile in the boundary layer. Wall
functions can be used in these cases to apply an assumed functional shape of the velocity profile. Other grids are
fine enough that they do not require wall functions, and application of the latter has little effect. The majority of
cases fall somewhere in between these two extremes, where the boundary layer is partially resolved by nodes near
the wall and wall functions are used to supplement accuracy where the nodes are not sufficiently clustered near the
wall.
+

One indicator of the closeness of the first node to the wall is the dimensionless wall distance y . It is good practice
+

to examine the values of y at the end of your simulation. At the lower limit, a value of y less than or equal to 11
indicates that the first node is within the laminar sublayer of the boundary flow. Values larger than this indicate that
an assumed logarithmic shape of the velocity profile is being used to model the boundary layer portion between the
wall and the first node. Ideally you should confirm that there are several nodes (3 or more) resolving the boundary
layer profile. If this is not observed, it is highly recommended that more nodes be added near the wall surfaces in
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Demonstrating Power Syntax

order to improve simulation accuracy. In this tutorial, a coarse mesh is used to reduce the run time. Thus, the grid
is far too coarse to resolve any of the boundary layer profile, and the solution is not highly accurate.

Surface Plot of y+
+

A surface plot is one which colors a surface according to the values of a variable: in this case, y . A surface plot
+

of y can be obtained as follows:

1.

Turn off the visibility of all previous plots.

2.

Under the Outline tab, apply the following settings to BluntBodyDefault:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Yplus [1 (p. 110)]

Apply Instancing Transform > Transform

Instance Transform 1

View

Footnote
1.

Click the Ellipsis

icon to the right of the Variable dropdown menu to view a full list of
variables, including Yplus.

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Under the Outline tab, apply the following settings to Body:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Yplus [1 (p. 110)]

Apply Instancing Transform > Transform

Instance Transform 1

View

Footnote
1.

5.

Click the Ellipsis

icon to the right of the Variable dropdown menu to view a full list of
variables, including Yplus.

Click Apply.

Demonstrating Power Syntax

This section demonstrates a power syntax macro used to evaluate the variation of any variable in the direction of
the x-axis. This is an example of power syntax programming in CFD-Post.
A macro containing CCL and power syntax will be loaded by playing a session file. This macro will be executed
by entering a line of power syntax in the Command Editor dialog box. The macro tells CFD-Post to create slice
planes, normal to the X axis, at 20 evenly-spaced locations from the beginning to the end of the domain. On each
plane, it measures and prints the minimum, maximum, and average values for a specified variable (using conservative
values). The planes are colored using the specified variable.

Note
The CFD-Post engine can respond to CCL commands issued directly, or to commands issued using the
graphical user interface. The Command Editor dialog box can be used to enter any valid CCL command
directly.
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Viewing the Mesh Partitions (Parallel Only)

1.

Play the session file named BluntBodyDist.cse.

2.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -X.

3.

Select Tools > Command Editor from the menu bar.

4.

Type the following line into the Command Editor dialog box (the quotation marks and the semi-colon are
required):
!BluntBodyDist("Velocity u");

5.

Click Process.
The minimum, maximum and average values of the variable at each X location are written to the file
BluntBody.txt. The results can be viewed by opening the file in a text editor.

You can also run the macro with a different variable.

To view the content of the session file (which contains explanatory comments), open the session file in a text editor.
It contains all of the CCL and power syntax commands and will provide a better understanding of how the macro
works.

Viewing the Mesh Partitions (Parallel Only)

If you solved this tutorial in parallel, then an additional variable named Real partition number will be
available in CFD-Post
1.

Create an Isosurface of Real partition number equal to 1.

2.

Create a second Isosurface of Real partition number equal to 1.999.

The two Isosurfaces show the edges of the two partitions. The gap between the two plots shows the overlap nodes.
These were contained in both partitions 1 and 2.
When you have finished looking at the results, quit CFD-Post.

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Chapter 8. Buoyant Flow in a Partitioned

Cavity
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 113)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 114)

Before You Begin (p. 114)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 114)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 115)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 120)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 120)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Using CFX-4 Mesh Import.

Setting up a time dependent (transient) simulation.

Modeling buoyant flow.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Transient

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

Laminar

Heat Transfer

Thermal Energy

Buoyant Flow
Boundary Conditions

Symmetry Plane
Outlet (Subsonic)
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Adiabatic
Wall: Fixed Temperature

Output Control
Timestep

Transient Example

Transient Results File

CFD-Post

Plots

Default Locators

Chart
Report
Other

Time Step Selection

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Transient Animation

Overview of the Problem to Solve

The goal of this tutorial is to model a buoyancy-driven flow which require the inclusion of gravitational effects.
The model is a 2D partitioned cavity containing air with properties defined at 25C. The bottom of the cavity is
kept at a constant temperature of 75C, while the top is held constant at 5C. The cavity is also tilted at an angle of
30 degrees to the horizontal.

The overall approach for solving this problem is to set up a transient simulation to see how the flow develops starting
from stationary conditions. Since you are starting from stationary conditions, there is no need to solve a steady-state
simulation for use as the initial guess. You will then model the buoyant flow and create a report outlining the results
in CFD-Post. You will also create an animation to see changes in temperature with time.
The provided mesh was created in CFX-4.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:
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Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

2.

Buoyancy2D.geo

Buoyancy2D.pre

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run Buoyancy2D.pre. For details,
see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 120).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, you are going to import a hexahedral mesh originally generated in
CFX-4. The mesh contains labelled regions which will enable you to apply the relevant boundary conditions for
this problem.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Create a new case using General Mode.

3.

Select File > Save Case As and set File name to Buoyancy2D.

4.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned off.
Default Domain generation should be turned off because you will create a new domain manually, later in this
tutorial.

2.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other. The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

File name

Buoyancy2D.geo [1 (p. 115)]

Files of type

CFX-4 (*geo)

Options > Mesh Units

Footnote
1.
4.

This file is in your tutorial directory.

Click Open.

Analysis Type
The default units and coordinate frame settings are suitable for this tutorial, but the analysis type needs to be set to
transient.
You will notice physics validation messages as the case is set to Transient. These errors will be fixed later in
the tutorial.
1.

Click Analysis Type

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Analysis Type > Option

Transient

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Creating the Domain

Tab

Setting

Value

Analysis Type > Time Duration > Total 2 [s] [1 (p. 116)]
Time
Analysis Type > Time Steps >
Timesteps

0.025 [s] [2 (p. 116)]

Analysis Type > Initial Time > Time

0 [s]

Footnotes
1.

The total time is the total duration, in real time, for the simulation. For this tutorial, the total
time will be set to 2 seconds since it is the time period we are interested in.

2.

In this example the simulation moves forward in 0.025 s increments until the total time is

reached. The step size was determined as a function of the temperature difference Tmax Tmin

between the top and bottom of the cavity, and the length scale of the model L scale , according
to: tg = L scale /

g ( Tmax Tmin ) , where g is the gravity vector and is the thermal

expansivity. For details on computing a fluid time scale estimate, see the theory guide.
3.

Click OK.

Creating the Domain

You will model the cavity as if it were tilted at an angle of 30. You can do this by specifying horizontal and vertical
components of the gravity vector, which are aligned with the default coordinate axes, as shown in the diagram
above.

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Creating the Boundaries

To Create a New Domain

1.

Ensure that Flow Analysis 1 > Default Domain is deleted. If not, right-click Default Domain
and select Delete.

2.

Click Domain

3.

Apply the following settings to Buoyancy2D

, and set the name to Buoyancy2D.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

Primitive 3D

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 > Material

Air at 25 C

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure

1 [atm]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Option

Buoyant

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity X Dirn.

-4.9 [m s^-2]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity Y Dirn.

-8.5 [m s^-2]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity Z Dirn.

0.0 [m s^-2] [1 (p. 117)]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Buoy. Ref. Temp.

40 [C] [2 (p. 117)]

Heat Transfer > Option

Thermal Energy

Turbulence > Option

None (Laminar)

Fluid Models

Footnotes
1.

This produces a gravity vector that simulates the tilt of the cavity.

2.

Ensure that the unit setting is correct. This is just an approximate representative domain
temperature.

Initialization will be set up using Global Initialization

4.

, so there is no need to visit the Initialization tab.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

Hot and Cold Wall Boundary
Create a wall boundary with a fixed temperature of 75 C on the bottom surface of the cavity, as follows:
1.

Create a new boundary named hot.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

WALLHOT

Heat Transfer > Option

Temperature

Heat Transfer > Fixed Temperature

75 [C]

Boundary
Details

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Setting Initial Values

3.

Click OK.

4.

Create a new boundary named cold.

5.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

WALLCOLD

Heat Transfer > Option

Temperature

Heat Transfer > Fixed Temperature

5 [C]

Boundary
Details

6.

Click OK.

Symmetry Plane Boundary

A single symmetry plane boundary can be used for the front and back of the cavity. Symmetry, which can make a
3D problem into a 2D problem, can be used when the geometry and mesh are invariant normal to the symmetry
surface.
1.

Create a new boundary named SymP.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

SYMMET1, SYMMET2 [1 (p. 118)]

Footnote
1.
3.

Use the Ctrl key to select more than one region.

Click OK.
The default adiabatic wall boundary will be applied automatically to the remaining boundaries.

Setting Initial Values

You should set initial settings using the Automatic with Value option when defining a transient simulation.
Using this option, the first run will use the specified initial conditions (the air is at rest with a temperature of 5 C)
while subsequent runs will use results file data for initial conditions.
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Global Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components Automatic with

> Option
Value
Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components 0 [m s^-1]
>U
Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components 0 [m s^-1]
>V

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Setting Output Control

Tab

Setting

Value

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components 0 [m s^-1]

>W
Initial Conditions > Static Pressure > Relative Pressure 0 [Pa]
Initial Conditions > Temperature > Temperature
3.

5 [C]

Click OK.

Setting Output Control

1.

Click Output Control

2.

Click the Trn Results tab.

3.

In the Transient Results tree view, click Add new item

click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings to Transient Results 1:

, set Name to Transient Results 1, and

Setting

Value

Option

Selected Variables

Output Variables List [1 (p. 119)]

Pressure, Temperature, Velocity

Output Frequency > Option

Time Interval

Output Frequency > Time Interval

0.1 [s] [2 (p. 119)]

Footnotes

5.

1.

Click the Ellipsis icon

to select items if they do not appear in the drop-down list. Use the
Ctrl key to select multiple items.

2.

The Time Interval option specifies the simulation time interval between the writing of each
file. The time interval will be set to 0.1 s, which is 4 times the time step that was set up earlier.
There is no need to set a smaller time interval because it does not affect the solution accuracy.
Choosing a smaller time interval would simply result in more output files.

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Advection Scheme > Option

High Resolution

Convergence Control > Max. Coeff. Loops

5 [1 (p. 120)]

Convergence Criteria > Residual Type

RMS

Convergence Criteria > Residual Target

1.E-4 [2 (p. 120)]

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Footnotes

3.

1.

The maximum coefficient loops option determines the maximum number of iterations per time
step. It is recommended to set the maximum coefficient loops to between 3 and 5. For this
tutorial, it was chosen to be 5, which ensures no net imbalance.

2.

An RMS value of at least 1.E-5 is usually required for adequate convergence, but the default
value of 1.E-4 is sufficient for demonstration purposes.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

Buoyancy2D.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

When CFX-Pre has shut down and CFX-Solver Manager has started, you can obtain a solution to the CFD problem
by using the following procedure.

Note
Recall that the output displayed on the Out File tab of the CFX-Solver Manager is more complicated
for transient problems than for steady-state problems. Each timestep consists of several iterations, and
after the timestep, information about various quantities is printed.
1.

Click Start Run.

2.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

3.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

4.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

In this section, you will create a customized report in CFD-Post. You will also, optionally, make an animation to
see changes in temperature with time.

Simple Report
First, you will view a report that is created with little effort:
1.

Click the Report Viewer tab. Note that the report loads with some automatically-generated statistical
information.

2.

In the Outline tree view, under Report, experiment with the various settings for Mesh Report, Physics
Report and other report objects. These settings control the report contents. On the Report Viewer tab, you
can click Refresh to see the changes to your report.

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Plots for Customized Reports

Plots for Customized Reports

Here, you will create the following objects in preparation for generating a more customized report:

Contour plot of temperature

Point locators (for observing temperature)

Comment

Figure showing the contour plot and point locator

Time chart showing the temperature at the point locator

Table.

Contour Plot of Temperature

1.

Click the 3D Viewer tab and right-click a blank area of the viewer, then select Predefined Camera > View
Towards -Z.

2.

Select Insert > Contour from the main menu.

3.

Accept the default name by clicking OK.

4.

Set Locations to SymP.

5.

Set Variable to Temperature.

6.

Click Apply.

The contour plot shows the temperature at the end of the simulation, since CFD-Post loads values for the last timestep
by default. You can load different timesteps using the Timestep Selector dialog box, accessible by selecting Tools
> Timestep Selector from the main menu.
Before proceeding, turn off the visibility of the contour plot.

Point Locators
Two points will be created to generate a time chart of temperature vs. time later on in this tutorial. The two points
were chosen to be located half way in between the bottom and top cavity, close to where the average temperature
is going to be.
1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Location > Point.

2.

Accept the default name by clicking OK.

3.

Set Method to XYZ.

4.

Set Point coordinates to 0.098, 0.05, 0.00125.

5.

Click Apply.
Note the location of Point 1 in the viewer.

6.

Right-click the Point 1 object in the tree view and select Duplicate from the shortcut menu.

7.

Accept the default name by clicking OK.

8.

Right-click the Point 2 object in the tree view and select Edit from the shortcut menu.

9.

Change the x-coordinate to 0.052.

10. Click Apply.

Note the location of Point 2 in the viewer.

Comment
1.

Click Create comment

2.

Accept the default name by clicking OK.

A comment object appears in the tree view, under the Report object.

3.

Set Heading to Buoyant Flow in a Partitioned Cavity.

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Plots for Customized Reports

4.

In the large text box, type:

This is a sample paragraph.

Figure
Figures are CCL objects that can be used to store and switch between different views in a given viewport. By
selecting a figure, the information contained in the figure, such as the camera angle, zoom level, lighting and the
visibility setting of each object in the tree view, is applied to the active viewport and is usable in reports.
1.

Click the 3D Viewer tab.

2.

Select Insert > Figure from the main menu.

3.

Accept the default name by clicking OK.

The Make copies of objects check box determines whether or not the objects that are visible in the viewer are
copied. If objects are copied, then the copies are used in the figure instead of the originals. Since you are not
using multiple views or figures, the check box setting does not matter.
A figure object will appear under the Report branch in the tree view.

Time Chart of Temperature

Time charts use expressions or a point locator to plot the variation of a scalar value with time. In this tutorial, the
variation of temperature versus time will be plotted.
1.

Select Insert > Chart from the main menu.

2.

Accept the default name by clicking OK.

3.

Set Type to XY-Transient or Sequence.

4.

Set Title to Temperature versus Time.

5.

Click the Data Series tab.

6.

Set Name to Temperature at Point 1.

7.

Set Location to Point 1.

8.

Click the X Axis tab.

9.

Set Data Selection > Expression to Time.

10. Click the Y Axis tab.

11. Set Data Selection > Variable to Temperature.
12. Ensure that the Refresh chart on Apply check box (at the bottom of the details view) is selected.
This causes the chart to be regenerated in the Chart Viewer tab each time you apply changes in the details
view. (When the Refresh chart on Apply check box is cleared, the chart will be regenerated only when you
manually refresh it. One way to refresh the chart is to click the Refresh button at the top of the Chart Viewer
tab.)
13. Click Apply.
A chart object will appear under the Report branch in the tree view.
It may take some time for the chart to appear because every transient results file will be loaded in order to
generate the time chart.
14. Click New

(on the Data Series tab).

15. Set Name to Temperature at Point 2.

16. Set Location to Point 2.
17. Click Apply.
A second chart line will appear in the chart, representing the temperature at Point 2.

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Customized Report

Table of Temperature Values

1.

Select Insert > Table from the main menu.

2.

Accept the default name by clicking OK.

A table object will appear under the Report branch in the tree view.

3.

Set the following:

Cell

Value

A1

Location

A2

Point 1

A3

Point 2

B1

Temperature

B2

=probe(Temperature)@Point 1

B3

=probe(Temperature)@Point 2

The table shows temperatures at the end of the simulation, since CFD-Post loads values for the last timestep by
default. You can load different timesteps using the Timestep Selector dialog box, accessible by selecting Tools >
Timestep Selector.

Customized Report
Right-click the Report object and select Refresh Preview from the shortcut menu. Look at the report in the Report
Viewer tab. Note that, in addition to the automatically-generated objects that you saw earlier when creating a simple
report, this report also includes the customized figure, time chart and table described above.

Animations
You may want to create an animation of the buoyant flow over time. Use the animation feature to see the changing
temperature field. The animation feature was used in Flow from a Circular Vent (p. 79).

Completion
When you have finished, quit CFD-Post.

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Chapter 9. Free Surface Flow Over a Bump

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 125)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 126)

Approach to the Problem (p. 126)

Before You Begin (p. 126)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 126)

Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre (p. 126)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 134)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 135)

Using a Supercritical Outlet Condition (p. 140)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will set up a 2D problem in which you:

Import a mesh.

Set up appropriate boundary conditions for a free surface simulation. (Free surface simulations are more sensitive
to incorrect boundary and initial guess settings than other more basic models.)

Use mesh adaption to refine the mesh where the volume fraction gradient is greatest. (The refined mesh aids in
the development of a sharp interface between the liquid and gas.)

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Isothermal

Buoyant Flow
Multiphase

Homogeneous Model

Boundary Conditions

Inlet
Opening
Outlet
Symmetry Plane
Wall: No Slip

CEL (CFX Expression Language)

Mesh Adaption

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Plots

Default Locators

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Isosurface
Polyline
Sampling Plane
Vector
Volume

Other

Chart Creation
Title/Text
Viewing the Mesh

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial demonstrates the simulation of a free surface flow.
The geometry consists of a 2D channel in which the bottom of the channel is interrupted by a semicircular bump
of radius 30 mm. The problem environment comprises air at 1 Pa and isothermal water; the normal inlet speed is
0.26 m/s; the incoming water has a turbulence intensity of 5%. The flow upstream of the bump is subcritical. The
downstream boundary conditions (the height of the water) were estimated for this tutorial; you can do this using an
analytical 1D calculation or data tables for flow over a bump.

Approach to the Problem

A geometry and mesh are provided. You will create a two-phase homogeneous setting and the expressions that will
be used in setting initial values and boundary conditions. Later, you will use mesh adaption to improve the accuracy
of the downstream simulation.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

Bump2D.pre

Bump2DExpressions.ccl

Bump2Dpatran.out

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run Bump2D.pre. For details, see
Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 134).
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Importing the Mesh

If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type Bump2D.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other. The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

File name

Bump2Dpatran.out

Files of type

PATRAN Neutral (*out *neu)

Options > Mesh units

3.

Click Open.

4.

To best orient the view, right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z
from the shortcut menu.

Viewing the Region Labels

Enable the display of region labels so that you can see where you will define boundaries later in this tutorial:
1.

In the Outline tree view, edit Case Options > Labels and Markers.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Settings

Show Labels

(Selected)

Show Labels > Show Primitive 3D Labels

(Selected)

Show Labels > Show Primitive 2D Labels

(Selected)

Click OK.

Creating Expressions for Initial and Boundary Conditions

Simulation of free surface flows usually requires defining boundary and initial conditions to set up appropriate
pressure and volume fraction fields. You will need to create expressions using CEL (CFX Expression Language)
to define these conditions.
In this simulation, the following conditions are set and require expressions:

An inlet boundary where the volume fraction above the free surface is 1 for air and 0 for water, and below the
free surface is 0 for air and 1 for water.

A pressure-specified outlet boundary, where the pressure above the free surface is constant and the pressure
below the free surface is a hydrostatic distribution. This requires you to know the approximate height of the
fluid at the outlet. In this case, an analytical solution for 1D flow over a bump was used to determine the value
for DownH in Creating Expressions in CEL (p. 128). The simulation is not sensitive to the exact outlet fluid
height, so an approximation is sufficient. You will examine the effect of the outlet boundary condition in the
postprocessing section and confirm that it does not affect the validity of the results. It is necessary to specify
such a boundary condition to force the flow downstream of the bump into the supercritical regime.

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Creating the Domain

An initial pressure field for the domain with a similar pressure distribution to that of the outlet boundary.

Either create expressions using the Expressions workspace or read in expressions from the example file provided:

Creating Expressions in CEL (p. 128)

Reading Expressions From a File (p. 128)

Creating Expressions in CEL

The expressions you create in this step are the same as the ones provided in Reading Expressions From a File (p. 128),
so you can choose to follow either set of instructions.
1.

Right-click Expressions, Functions and Variables > Expressions in the tree view and select
Insert > Expression.

2.

Set the name to UpH and click OK to create the upstream free surface height.

3.

Set Definition to 0.069 [m], and then click Apply.

4.

Use the same method to create the expressions listed in the table below. These are expressions for the downstream
free surface height, the fluid density, the buoyancy reference density, the calculated density of the fluid (density
- buoyancy reference density), the upstream volume fractions of air and water, the upstream pressure distribution,
the downstream volume fractions of air and water, and the downstream pressure distribution.

5.

Name

Definition

DownH

0.022 [m]

DenWater

997 [kg m^-3]

DenRef

1.185 [kg m^-3]

DenH

(DenWater - DenRef)

UpVFAir

step((y-UpH)/1[m])

UpVFWater

1-UpVFAir

UpPres

DenH*g*UpVFWater*(UpH-y)

DownVFAir

step((y-DownH)/1[m])

DownVFWater

1-DownVFAir

DownPres

DenH*g*DownVFWater*(DownH-y)

Proceed to Creating the Domain (p. 128).

Reading Expressions From a File

1.

If you have not done so already, copy the file <CFXROOT>/examples/Bump2DExpressions.ccl to

your working directory.

2.

Select File > Import > CCL.

3.

In the Import CCL dialog box, ensure that the Append option is selected.

4.

Select Bump2DExpressions.ccl.

5.

Click Open.

6.

After the file has been imported, use the Expressions tree view to view the expressions that have been created.

Creating the Domain

Set up a homogeneous, two-fluid environment:

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Creating the Domain

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned on. A domain named Default Domain should appear under the Simulation > Flow Analysis
1 branch.

2.

Double-click Default Domain.

3.

Under Fluid and Particle Definitions, delete Fluid 1 and create a new fluid named Air.

4.

Confirm that the following settings are configured:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Air

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Air > Material

Air at 25 C

5.

Click Add new item

and create a new fluid named Water.

6.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Water

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Water > Material

Water [1 (p. 129)]

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure

1 [atm]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Option

Buoyant

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity X Dirn.

0 [m s^-2]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity Y Dirn.[2 (p. 129)]

-g

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity Z Dirn.

0 [m s^-2]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Buoy. Ref. Density [3 (p. 129)] DenRef
Fluid Models

Multiphase > Homogeneous Model [4 (p. 129)]

(Selected)

Multiphase > Free Surface Model > Option

Standard

Heat Transfer > Option

Isothermal

Heat Transfer > Fluid Temperature

25 [C]

Turbulence > Option

k-Epsilon

Footnotes

7.

1.

The models selected here describe how the fluids interact. No mass transfer between the phases
occurs in this example. You do not need to model surface tension.

2.

You need to click Enter Expression

3.

Always set Buoyancy Reference Density to the density of the least dense fluid in free surface
calculations.

4.

The homogeneous model solves for a single solution field.

beside the field first.

Click OK.

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129

Creating the Boundaries

Creating the Boundaries

Inlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named inflow.

2.

Apply the following settings (from the problem description):

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings Boundary Type

Boundary
Details

Inlet

Location

INFLOW

Mass and Momentum > Option

Normal Speed

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed

0.26 [m s^-1]

Turbulence > Option

Intensity and Length Scale

Turbulence > Fractional Intensity

0.05

Turbulence > Eddy Length Scale [1 (p. 130)]

UpH

Fluid Values Boundary Conditions

Air

Boundary Conditions > Air > Volume Fraction >

Volume Fraction

UpVFAir

Boundary Conditions

Water

Boundary Conditions > Water > Volume Fraction >

Volume Fraction

UpVFWater

Footnote
1.
3.

Click the Enter Expression icon

Click OK.

Outlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named outflow.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings Boundary Type

Boundary
Details

3.

Outlet

Location

OUTFLOW

Flow Regime > Option

Subsonic

Mass and Momentum > Option

Static Pressure

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure

DownPres

Click OK.

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Creating the Boundaries

Symmetry Boundaries
1.

Create a new boundary named front.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings Boundary Type

Location

Symmetry [1 (p. 131)]

FRONT

Footnote
1.

Symmetry, which makes a 3D problem into a 2D problem, can be used when geometry and
mesh are invariant normal to the symmetry surface.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Create a new boundary named back.

5.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings Boundary Type

Location
6.

Symmetry
BACK

Click OK.

Opening and Wall Boundaries

1.

Create a new boundary named top.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Opening

Location

TOP

Mass And Momentum > Option

Entrainment

Mass And Momentum > Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Turbulence > Option

Zero Gradient

Boundary Conditions

Air

Boundary Conditions > Air > Volume

Fraction > Volume Fraction

1.0

Boundary Conditions

Water

Boundary Conditions > Water > Volume

Fraction > Volume Fraction

0.0

Boundary Details

Fluid Values

3.

Click OK.

4.

Create a new boundary named bottom.

5.

Apply the following settings:

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Setting Initial Values

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings Boundary Type

Boundary
Details

6.

Wall

Location

BOTTOM1, BOTTOM2, BOTTOM3

Mass and Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Wall Roughness > Option

Smooth Wall

Click OK.

Setting Initial Values

Set up the initial values to be consistent with the inlet boundary conditions:
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings:1

Tab

Setting

Value

Global Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components Automatic with Value

> Option
Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components 0.26 [m s^-1]
>U
Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components 0 [m s^-1]
>V
Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components 0 [m s^-1]
>W
Initial Conditions > Static Pressure > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Static Pressure > Relative Pressure UpPres

Fluid Settings

Fluid Specific Initialization

Air

Fluid Specific Initialization > Air > Initial Conditions Automatic with Value
> Volume Fraction > Option
Fluid Specific Initialization > Air > Initial Conditions UpVFAir
> Volume Fraction > Volume Fraction

3.

Fluid Specific Initialization

Water

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water > Initial

Conditions > Volume Fraction > Option

Automatic with Value

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water > Initial

Conditions > Volume Fraction > Volume Fraction

UpVFWater

Click OK.

Setting Mesh Adaption Parameters

To improve the resolution of the interface between the air and the water, set up the mesh adaption settings:

The values are from the problem specification.

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Setting the Solver Controls

1.

Click Mesh Adaption

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Activate Adaption

(Selected)

Save Intermediate Files

(Cleared)

Adaption Criteria > Variables List

Air.Volume Fraction

Adaption Criteria > Max. Num. Steps

Adaption Criteria > Option

Multiple of Initial Mesh

Adaption Criteria > Node Factor

Adaption Convergence Criteria > Max. Iter. 100

per Step
Advanced Options

Node Alloc. Param.

1.6

Number of Levels

Note
You can find descriptions of the mesh adaption process and of the parameters you are setting in
Mesh Adaption (p. 175) in the ANSYS CFX-Pre User's Guide. The values used here were determined
through experimentation.
3.

Click OK.

Setting the Solver Controls

Note
Setting Max. Iterations to 200 (below) and Number of (Adaption) Levels to 2 with a Max. Iter. per
Step of 100 timesteps each (in the previous section), results in a total maximum number of timesteps of
400 (2*100+200=400).
1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

200

Convergence Control >Fluid Timescale Control Physical Timescale

> Timescale Control
Convergence Control >Fluid Timescale Control 0.25 [s] [1 (p. 134)]
> Physical Timescale
Advanced Options

Multiphase Control

(Selected)

Multiphase Control > Volume Fraction

Coupling

(Selected)

Multiphase Control > Volume Fraction

Coupling > Option

Coupled

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Footnote
1.

This value is based on the time it takes the water to flow over the bump.

Note
Selecting these options on the solver control activates the Coupled Volume Fraction solution
algorithm. This algorithm typically converges better than the Segregated Volume Faction algorithm
for buoyancy-driven problems such as this tutorial. The Segregated Volume Faction algorithm
would have required a 0.05 second timescale, as compared with 0.25 seconds for the Coupled
Volume Fraction algorithm.
3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

Bump2D.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

Click Start Run.
Within 100 iterations after CFX-Solver Manager has started, the first adaption step is performed. Information written
to the .out file includes the number of elements refined and the size of the new mesh.
After mesh refinement, there is a jump in the residual levels. This is because the solution from the old mesh is
interpolated onto the new mesh. A new residual plot also appears for the W-Mom-Bulk equation. Hexahedral mesh
elements are refined orthogonally, so the mesh is no longer 2D (it is more than 1 element thick in the z-direction).
Convergence to the target residual level is achieved.

It is common for convergence in a residual sense to be difficult to obtain in a free surface simulation, due to the
presence of small waves at the surface preventing the residuals from dropping to the target level. This is more
frequently a problem in the subcritical flow regime, as the waves can travel upstream. In the supercritical regime,

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

the waves tend to get carried downstream and out the domain. To satisfy convergence in these cases, monitor the
value of a global quantity (for example, drag for flow around a ship's hull) to see when a steady state value is reached.
Where there is no obvious global quantity to monitor, you should view the results to see where the solution is
changing. You can do this by running transient (with timesteps that are small enough to capture transient effects)
for a few timesteps, starting from a results file that you think is converged or from backup results files you have
written at different timesteps.
In both cases, look to see where the results are changing (this could be due to the presence of small transient waves).
Also confirm that the value of quantities that you are interested in (for example, downstream fluid height for this
case) has reached a steady-state value.
1.

When a dialog box appears at the end of the run, select Post-Process Results.

2.

If using Standalone Mode, select Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

3.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

Display the distribution of volume fraction of water in the domain:
1.

To best orient the view, right-click on a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View
Towards -Z.

2.

Zoom in so the geometry fills the viewer.

3.

In the tree view, edit Bump2D_001 > Default Domain > front.

4.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Water.Volume Fraction

5.

Click Apply.

6.

Clear the check box next to front.

Creating Velocity Vector Plots

The next step involves creating a sampling plane upon which to display velocity vectors for Water.
1.

Select Insert > Location > Plane to create a new plane named Plane 1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

XY Plane

Plane Bounds > Type

Rectangular

Plane Bounds > X Size

1.25 [m] [1 (p. 136)]

Plane Bounds > Y Size

0.3 [m]

Plane Bounds > X Angle

0 [degree]

Plane Type

Sample

X Samples

160 [2 (p. 136)]

Y Samples

40

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Render

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Viewing Mesh Refinement

Tab

Setting

Value

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Footnotes
1.

The Plane Bounds settings overlap the plane with the wireframe. You can experiment with
other values and click Apply to see the results.

2.

The Plane Samples settings produce square elements. You can experiment with other values
and click Apply to see the results.

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Clear the check box next to Plane 1.

5.

Create a new vector named Vector 1.

6.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Locations

Plane 1

Definition > Variable [1 (p. 136)]

Water.Velocity

Symbol Size

0.5

Symbol

Footnote
1.

Because fluids in a free-surface calculation share the same velocity field, only the velocity of
the first non-vapor fluid is available. The other allowed velocities are superficial velocities.
For details, see Further Postprocessing (p. 140).

7.

Click Apply.

8.

Apply the following settings:

9.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Variable

Air.Superficial Velocity

Symbol

Symbol Size

0.15

Normalize Symbols

(Selected)

Click Apply.

Viewing Mesh Refinement

In this section, you will view the surface mesh on one of the symmetry boundaries, create volume objects to show
where the mesh was modified, and create a vector plot to visualize the added mesh nodes.
1.

Clear the check box next to Vector 1.

2.

Zoom in so the geometry fills the Viewer.

3.

In Outline under Default Domain, edit front.

4.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Constant
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Viewing Mesh Refinement

5.

Tab

Setting

Value

Render

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Click Apply.

The mesh has been refined near the free surface.

In the transition region between different levels of refinement, tetrahedral and pyramidal elements are used
because it is not possible to recreate hexahedral elements in CFX. Near the inlet, the aspect ratio of these
elements increases.

Avoid performing mesh refinement on high-aspect-ratio hex meshes as this will produce high aspect ratio
tetrahedral-elements and result in poor mesh quality.

Figure 9.1. Mesh around the bump

6.

Create a new volume named first refinement elements.

7.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

Isovolume

Definition > Variable

Refinement Level [1 (p. 138)]

Definition > Mode

At Value

Definition > Value

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines > Line Width

Show Mesh Lines > Color Mode

User Specified

Show Mesh Lines > Line Color

(Green)

Render

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Viewing Mesh Refinement

Footnote
1.
8.

Click More variables

to access the Refinement Level value.

Click Apply.
You will see a band of green, which indicates the elements that include nodes added during the first mesh
adaption.

9.

Create a new volume named second refinement elements.

10. Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

Isovolume

Definition > Variable

Refinement Level

Definition >Mode

At Value

Definition > Value

Color

Color

White

Render

Show Faces

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines > Line Width

Show Mesh Lines > Color Mode

User Specified

Show Mesh Lines > Line Color

(Black)

11. Click Apply.

You will see a band of white (with black lines); this indicates the elements that include nodes added during
the second mesh adaption.
12. Zoom in to a region where the mesh has been refined.
The Refinement Level variable holds an integer value at each node, which is either 0, 1, or 2 (because you
used a maximum of two adaption levels).
The nodal values of refinement level will be visualized next.
13. Create a new vector named Vector 2.
14. Apply the following settings:
Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Locations

Default Domain

Definition > Variable [1 (p. 139)]

(Any Vector Variable)

Mode

Variable

Variable

Refinement Level

Symbol

Cube

Symbol Size

0.02

Normalize Symbols

(Selected)

Color

Symbol

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Creating an Isosurface to Show the Free Surface

Footnote
1.

The variable's magnitude and direction do not matter because you will change the vector
symbol to a cube with a normalized size.

15. Click Apply.

In Vector 2, Blue nodes (Refinement Level 0 according to the color legend) are part of the original mesh. Green
nodes (Refinement Level 1) were added during the first adaption step. Red nodes (Refinement Level 2) were added
during the second adaption step. Note that some elements contain combinations of blue, green, and red nodes.

Creating an Isosurface to Show the Free Surface

Later in this tutorial, you will create a chart to show the variation in free surface height along the channel. The data
for the chart will be sampled along a polyline that follows the free surface. To make the polyline, you will use the
intersection between one of the symmetry planes and an isosurface that follows the free surface. Start by creating
an isosurface on the free surface:
1.

Turn off the visibility for all objects except Wireframe.

2.

Create a new isosurface named Isosurface 1.

3.

Apply the following settings:

4.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Variable

Water.Volume Fraction

Definition > Value

0.5

Click Apply.
Creating isosurfaces using this method is a good way to visualize a free surface in a 3D simulation.

5.

Right-click any blank area in the viewer, select Predefined Camera, then select Isometric View (Y up).

Creating a Polyline that Follows the Free Surface

Create a polyline along the isosurface that you created in the previous step:
1.

Turn off the visibility of Isosurface 1.

2.

Create a new polyline named Polyline 1.

3.

Apply the following settings:

4.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Method

Boundary Intersection

Boundary List

front

Intersect With

Isosurface 1

Click Apply.
A green line is displayed that follows the high-Z edge of the isosurface.

Creating a Chart to Show the Height of the Surface

Create a chart that plots the free surface height using the polyline that you created in the previous step:
1.

Create a new chart named Chart 1.

The Chart Viewer tab is selected.

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139

Further Postprocessing
2.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

General

Title

Free Surface Height for Flow

over a Bump

Data Series

Name

free surface height

Location

Polyline 1

X Axis

Variable

Y Axis

Variable

Line Display

Symbols

Rectangle

Click Apply.

As discussed in Creating Expressions for Initial and Boundary Conditions (p. 127), an approximate outlet elevation
is imposed as part of the boundary, even though the flow is supercritical. The chart illustrates the effect of this, in
that the water level rises just before the exit plane. It is evident from this plot that imposing the elevation does not
affect the upstream flow.
The chart shows a wiggle in the elevation of the free surface interface at the inlet. This is related to an
over-specification of conditions at the inlet because both the inlet velocity and elevation were specified. For a
subcritical inlet, only the velocity or the total energy should be specified. The wiggle is due to a small inconsistency
between the specified elevation and the elevation computed by the solver to obtain critical conditions at the bump.
The wiggle is analogous to one found if pressure and velocity were both specified at a subsonic inlet in a
converging-diverging nozzle with choked flow at the throat.

Further Postprocessing
You may want to create some plots using the <Fluid>.Superficial Velocity variables. This is the fluid
volume fraction multiplied by the fluid velocity and is sometimes called the volume flux. It is useful to use this
variable for vector plots in separated multiphase flow, as you will only see a vector where a significant amount of
that phase exists.

Tip
You can right-click on an existing vector plot and select a new vector variable.

Using a Supercritical Outlet Condition

For supercritical free surface flows, the supercritical outlet boundary is usually the most appropriate boundary for
the outlet because it does not rely on the specification of the outlet pressure distribution (which depends on an
estimate of the free surface height at the outlet). The supercritical outlet boundary requires a relative pressure
specification for the gas only; no pressure information is required for the liquid at the outlet. For this tutorial, the
relative gas pressure at the outlet should be set to 0 Pa.
The supercritical outlet condition may admit multiple solutions. To find the supercritical solution, it is often necessary
to start with a static pressure outlet condition (as previously done in this tutorial) or an average static pressure
condition where the pressure is set consistent with an elevation to drive the solution into the supercritical regime.
The outlet condition can then be changed to the supercritical option.

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Chapter 10. Supersonic Flow Over a Wing

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 141)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 142)

Approach to the Problem (p. 142)

Before You Begin (p. 142)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 142)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 143)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 147)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 147)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Setting up a supersonic flow simulation.

Using the Shear Stress Transport turbulence model to accurately resolve flow around a wing surface.

Defining a custom vector to display pressure distribution.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

Air Ideal Gas

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

Shear Stress Transport

Heat Transfer

Total Energy

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Supersonic)
Outlet (Supersonic)
Symmetry Plane
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Adiabatic
Wall: Free-Slip

CFD-Post

Domain Interfaces

Fluid-Fluid (No Frame Change)

Timestep

Maximum Timescale

Plots

Contour
Vector

Other

Variable Details View

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This example demonstrates the use of CFX in simulating supersonic flow over a symmetric NACA0012 airfoil at
0 angle of attack. A 2D section of the wing is modeled. A 2D hexahedral mesh is provided that you will import
into CFX-Pre.
The environment is 300 K air at 1 atmosphere that passes the wing at 600 m/s. The turbulence intensity is low (.01)
with an eddy length scale of .02 meters.

Approach to the Problem

A geometry and mesh is provided. You will create a domain that contains three regions that will be connected by
fluid-fluid interfaces. To solve the simulation, you will start with a conservative time scale that gradually increases
towards the fluid residence time as the residuals decrease.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

WingSPSMesh.out

WingSPS.pre

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

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Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run WingSPS.pre. For details, see
Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 147).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type WingSPS.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other. The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

2.

Apply the following settings

Setting

Value

Files of type

PATRAN Neutral

Options > Mesh Units

File name

WingSPSMesh.out

3.

Click Open.

4.

To best orient the view, right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric
View (Y up) from the shortcut menu.

Creating the Domain

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned on. A domain named Default Domain should now appear under the Simulation branch.

2.

Double-click Default Domain and apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

WING ELEMENTS

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions >

Fluid 1 > Material

Air Ideal Gas

Domain Models > Pressure >

Reference Pressure [1 (p. 143)]

1 [atm]

Heat Transfer > Option

Total Energy [2 (p. 144)]

Turbulence > Option

Shear Stress Transport

Fluid Models

Footnotes
1.

When using an ideal gas, it is important to set an appropriate reference pressure because some
properties depend on the absolute pressure level.

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Creating the Boundaries

2.

3.

The Total Energy model is appropriate for high-speed flows because it includes kinetic energy
effects.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

Creating an Inlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named Inlet.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

INLET

Flow Regime > Option

Supersonic

Mass And Momentum > Option

Cart. Vel. & Pressure

Mass And Momentum > U

600 [m s^-1]

Mass And Momentum > V

0 [m s^-1]

Mass And Momentum > W

0 [m s^-1]

Mass And Momentum > Rel. Static Pres.

0 [Pa]

Turbulence > Option

Intensity and Length Scale

Turbulence > Fractional Intensity

0.01

Turbulence > Eddy Length Scale

0.02 [m]

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

300 [K]

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Creating an Outlet Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named Outlet.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

OUTLET

Flow Regime > Option

Supersonic

Boundary Details
3.

Click OK.

Creating the Symmetry Plane Boundaries

1.

Create a new boundary named SymP1.

2.

Apply the following settings

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Creating the Boundaries

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry [1 (p. 145)]

Location

SIDE1

Footnote
1.

Symmetry, which can make a 3D problem into a 2D problem, can be used when geometry and
mesh are invariant normal to the symmetry surface.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Create a new boundary named SymP2.

5.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

SIDE2

6.

Click OK.

7.

Create a new boundary named Bottom.

8.

Apply the following settings

9.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

BOTTOM

Click OK.

Creating a Free Slip Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named Top.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

TOP

Mass And Momentum > Option

Free Slip Wall

Boundary Details
3.

Click OK.

Creating a Wall Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named WingSurface.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

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Creating Domain Interfaces

Tab

Setting

Value

Location

WING_Nodes [1 (p. 146)]

Footnote
1.

3.

If particular items do not appear in the drop-down list, click the Ellipsis
available items.

icon to see all

Click OK.

Creating Domain Interfaces

The imported mesh contains three regions that will be connected with domain interfaces.
1.

Create a new domain interface named Domain Interface 1.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Fluid

Interface Side 1 > Region List

Primitive 2D A [1 (p. 146)]

Interface Side 2 > Region List

Primitive 2D, Primitive 2D B

Footnote
1.

3.

If particular items do not appear in the drop-down list, click the Ellipsis
available items.

icon to see all

Click OK.

Setting Initial Values

For high-speed compressible flow, the CFX-Solver usually requires sensible initial conditions to be set for the
velocity field.
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings: 1

Tab

Setting

Value

Global Settings Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > Option

Automatic with
Value

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > U

600 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > V

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > W

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Temperature > Option

Automatic with
Value

Initial Conditions > Temperature > Temperature

300 [K]

The values are from the problem specification.

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Setting the Solver Controls

3.

Click OK.

Setting the Solver Controls

The residence time for the fluid is the length of the domain divided by the speed of the liquid; using values from
the problem specification, the result is approximately:
70 [m] / 600 [m s^-1] = 0.117 [s]
In the next step, you will set a maximum timescale, then the solver will start with a conservative time scale that
gradually increases towards the fluid-residence time as the residuals decrease.
1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Maximum Timescale

(Selected)

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Maximum Timescale > Maximum
Timescale

0.1 [s]

Convergence Criteria > Residual Target

1.0e-05

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Setting

Value

File name

WingSPS.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

At this point, CFX-Solver Manager is running, and the Define Run dialog box is displayed, with the CFX-Solver
input file set.
1.

Click Start Run.

2.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

3.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

4.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

The following topics will be discussed:

Displaying Mach Information (p. 148)

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Displaying Mach Information

Displaying Pressure Information (p. 148)

Displaying Temperature Information (p. 148)

Displaying Pressure With User Vectors (p. 149)

Displaying Mach Information

The first view configured shows that the bulk of the flow over the wing has a Mach Number of over 1.5.
1.

To best orient the view, select View Towards -Z by typing Shift +Z.

2.

Zoom in so the geometry fills the Viewer.

3.

Create a new contour named SymP2Mach.

4.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

SymP2

Variable

Mach Number

Range

User Specified

Min

Max

# of Contours

21

5.

Click Apply.

6.

Clear the check box next to SymP2Mach.

Displaying Pressure Information

To display pressure information, create a contour plot that shows the pressure field:
1.

Create a new contour named SymP2Pressure.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

SymP2

Variable

Pressure

Range

Global

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Clear the check box next to SymP2Pressure.

Displaying Temperature Information

You can confirm that a significant energy loss occurs around the wing's leading edge by plotting temperature on
SymP2.
1.

Create a new contour named SymP2Temperature.

2.

Apply the following settings

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Displaying Pressure With User Vectors

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

SymP2

Variable

Temperature

Range

Global

Click Apply.
The contour shows that the temperature at the wing's leading edge is approximately 180 K higher than the inlet
temperature.

4.

Clear the check box next to SymP2Temperature.

Displaying Pressure With User Vectors

You can also create a user vector to show the pressure acting on the wing:
1.

Create a new variable named Variable 1.

2.

Apply the following settings

Name

Setting

Value

Variable 1

Vector

(Selected)

X Expression

(Pressure+101325[Pa])*Normal X

Y Expression

(Pressure+101325[Pa])*Normal Y

Z Expression

(Pressure+101325[Pa])*Normal Z

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Create a new vector named Vector 1.

5.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

WingSurface

Variable

Variable 1

Symbol Size

0.04

Symbol
6.

Click Apply.

7.

Zoom in on the wing in order to see the created vector plot.

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Chapter 11. Flow Through a Butterfly Valve

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 151)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 152)

Approach to the Problem (p. 152)

Before You Begin (p. 153)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 153)

Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre (p. 153)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 163)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 163)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Using a rough wall boundary in CFX-Pre to simulate the pipe wall

Creating a fully developed inlet velocity profile using the CFX Expression Language

Setting up a Particle Tracking simulation in CFX-Pre to trace sand particles

Animating particle tracks in CFD-Post to trace sand particles through the domain

Performing quantitative calculation of average static pressure in CFD-Post on the outlet boundary.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

None

Particle Tracking
Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Profile)
Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Symmetry Plane
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Rough

CEL (CFX Expression Language)

CFD-Post

Timestep

Auto Time Scale

Plots

Animation
Default Locators
Particle Track

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Point
Slice Plane

Other

Changing the Color Range

Movie Generation
Particle Track Animation
Quantitative Calculation
Symmetry, Reflection Plane

Overview of the Problem to Solve

Pumps and compressors are commonplace. An estimate of the pumping requirement can be calculated based on the
height difference between source and destination and head loss estimates for the pipe and any obstructions/joints
along the way. Investigating the detailed flow pattern around a valve or joint however, can lead to a better
understanding of why these losses occur. Improvements in valve/joint design can be simulated using CFD, and
implemented to reduce pumping requirements and cost.

Flows can contain particulates that affect the flow and cause erosion to pipe and valve components. You can use
the particle-tracking capability of CFX to simulate these effects.
In this example, water flows at 5 m/s through a 20 mm radius pipe that has a rough internal surface. The velocity
profile is assumed to be fully developed at the pipe inlet. The flow, which is controlled by a butterfly valve set at
an angle of 55 to the vertical axis, contains sand particles ranging in size from 50 to 500 microns. The equivalent
sand grain roughness is 0.2 mm.
The reference temperature is 300 K; the reference pressure is 1 atm.

Approach to the Problem

A geometry and mesh is provided. You will create sand particles and a domain that contains water; for one part of
the simulation the water and sand will be fully coupled, and for the other part of the simulation they will be one-way
coupled. To increase the accuracy of the simulation, the inlet will be given a velocity profile that simulates a
fully-developed boundary layer.
To solve the simulation, you will create two sets of identical particles. The first set will be fully coupled to predict
the effect of the particles on the continuous phase flow field and allow the particles to influence the flow field. The

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Before You Begin

second set will be one-way coupled but will contain a much higher number of particles to provide a more accurate
calculation of the particle volume fraction and local forces on walls, but without affecting the flow field.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

PipeValveMesh.gtm

PipeValve.pre

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run PipeValve.pre. For details,
see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 163).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to Creating a New Case (p. 153)

Creating a New Case

1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type PipeValve.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > CFX Mesh. The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

PipeValveMesh.gtm

Click Open.

Defining the Properties of the Sand

The material properties of the sand particles used in the simulation need to be defined. Heat transfer and radiation
modeling are not used in this simulation, so the only properties that need to be defined are the density of the sand
and the diameter range.

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Creating the Domain

To calculate the effect of the particles on the continuous fluid, between 100 and 1000 particles are usually required.
However, if accurate information about the particle volume fraction or local forces on wall boundaries is required,
then a much larger number of particles needs to be modeled.
When you create the domain, choose either full coupling or one-way coupling between the particle and continuous
phase. Full coupling is needed to predict the effect of the particles on the continuous phase flow field but has a
higher CPU cost than one-way coupling; one-way coupling simply predicts the particle paths during post-processing
based on the flow field, but without affecting the flow field.
To optimize CPU usage, you can create two sets of identical particles. The first set should be fully coupled and
around 200 particles will be used. This allows the particles to influence the flow field. The second set uses one-way
coupling but contains 5000 particles. This provides a more accurate calculation of the particle volume fraction and
local forces on walls. (These values are defined in the inlet boundary definition.)
For this tutorial you will create a Sand Fully Coupled boundary condition that has 200 particles moving with a
mass flow rate of 0.01 kg/s and a Sand One Way Coupled boundary condition that has 5000 particles moving
with a mass flow rate of 0.01 kg/s. In both cases the sand density is 2300 [kg m^-3]; particle diameters range from
50 e-6 m. to 500 e-6 m. with an average diameter of 250 e-6 m. and a standard deviation of 70 e-6 m. You will set
a Finnie erosion model with a velocity power factor of 2 and a reference velocity of 1 m/s.
then create a new material named Sand Fully Coupled.

1.

Click Insert Material

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Material Group

Particle Solids

Thermodynamic State

(Selected)

Material Properties

Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State 2300 [kg m^-3] [1 (p. 154)]
> Density
Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat
Capacity

(Selected)

Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat

Capacity > Specific Heat Capacity

0 [J kg^-1 K^-1] [2 (p. 154)]

Thermodynamic Properties > Reference State (Selected)

Thermodynamic Properties > Reference State Specified Point
> Option
Thermodynamic Properties > Reference State 300 [K] [1 (p. 154)]
> Ref. Temperature

Footnotes
1.

From the problem description.

2.

This value is not used because heat transfer is not modeled in this tutorial.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Under Materials, right-click Sand Fully Coupled and select Duplicate from the shortcut menu.

5.

Rename the duplicate as Sand One Way Coupled.

6.

Sand One Way Coupled is created with properties identical to Sand Fully Coupled.

Creating the Domain

Set up an environment that has water and sand defined in two ways; one in which the sand is fully coupled, and one
in which the sand is one-way coupled:

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Creating the Domain

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned on. A domain named Default Domain should appear under the Simulation > Flow Analysis
1 branch.

2.

Double-click Default Domain.

3.

Under Fluid and Particle Definitions, delete Fluid 1 and click Add new item
materials named Water, Sand Fully Coupled, and Sand One Way Coupled.

4.

Apply the following settings, which are taken from the problem description:

to create three new

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Water

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Water > Material

Water

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Sand Fully Coupled

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand Fully Coupled Sand Fully Coupled
[1 (p. 156)]
> Material
Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand Fully Coupled Particle Transport Solid
> Morphology > Option
Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand Fully Coupled (Selected)
> Morphology > Particle Diameter Distribution
Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand Fully Coupled Normal in Diameter by
> Morphology > Particle Diameter Distribution > Mass
Option
Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand Fully Coupled 50e-6 [m]
> Morphology > Particle Diameter Distribution >
Minimum Diameter
Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand Fully Coupled 500e-6 [m]
> Morphology > Particle Diameter Distribution >
Maximum Diameter
Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand Fully Coupled 250e-6 [m]
> Morphology > Particle Diameter Distribution >
Mean Diameter
Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand Fully Coupled 70e-6 [m]
> Morphology > Particle Diameter Distribution >
Std. Deviation
Fluid and Particle Definitions

Sand One Way Coupled

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand One Way

Coupled > Material

Sand One Way Coupled

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand One Way

Coupled > Morphology > Option

Particle Transport Solid

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand One Way

Coupled > Morphology > Particle Diameter
Distribution

(Selected)

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand One Way

Coupled > Morphology > Particle Diameter
Distribution > Option

Normal in Diameter by
Mass

[2 (p. 156)]

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155

Creating the Domain

Tab

Fluid Models

Fluid Specific
Models

Setting

Value

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand One Way

Coupled > Morphology > Particle Diameter
Distribution > Minimum Diameter

50e-6 [m]

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand One Way

Coupled > Morphology > Particle Diameter
Distribution > Maximum Diameter

500e-6 [m]

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand One Way

Coupled > Morphology > Particle Diameter
Distribution > Mean Diameter

250e-6 [m]

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Sand One Way

Coupled > Morphology > Particle Diameter
Distribution > Std. Deviation

70e-6 [m]

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure

1 [atm]

Heat Transfer > Option

None

Turbulence > Option

k-Epsilon [3 (p. 156)]

Fluid

Sand Fully Coupled

Fluid > Sand Fully Coupled > Erosion Model >

Option

Finnie

Fluid > Sand Fully Coupled > Erosion Model > Vel. 2.0
Power Factor
Fluid > Sand Fully Coupled > Erosion Model >
Reference Velocity

1 [m s^-1]

Fluid > Sand One Way Coupled

(Selected)

Fluid > Sand One Way Coupled > Erosion Model Finnie
> Option
Fluid > Sand One Way Coupled > Erosion Model 2.0
> Vel. Power Factor
Fluid > Sand One Way Coupled > Erosion Model 1 [m s^-1]
> Reference Velocity

Footnotes

5.

1.

Click the Ellipsis

icon to open the Materials dialog box, then select Particle Solids
> Sand Fully Coupled.

2.

Click the Ellipsis

icon to open the Materials dialog box, then select Particle Solids
> Sand One Way Coupled.

3.

The turbulence model applies only to the continuous phase and not the particle phases.

Apply the following settings:

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Creating the Inlet Velocity Profile

Tab

Setting

Fluid Pair Models Fluid Pair

Value
Water | Sand Fully
Coupled

Fluid Pairs > Water | Sand Fully Coupled > Particle Fully Coupled
Coupling
Fluid Pairs >Water | Sand Fully Coupled >
Momentum Transfer > Drag Force > Option

Schiller Naumann [1 (p. 157)]

Fluid Pair

Water | Sand One Way

Coupled

Fluid Pairs > Water | Sand One Way Coupled >

Particle Coupling

One-way Coupling

Fluid Pairs > Water | Sand One Way Coupled >

Momentum Transfer > Drag Force > Option

Schiller Naumann

Footnote
1.

6.

The Schiller Naumann drag model is appropriate for sparsely-distributed, solid spherical
particles.

Click OK.

Creating the Inlet Velocity Profile

In previous tutorials you have often defined a uniform velocity profile at an inlet boundary. This means that the
inlet velocity near to the walls is the same as that at the center of the inlet. If you look at the results from these
simulations, you will see that downstream of the inlet a boundary layer will develop, so that the downstream near
wall velocity is much lower than the inlet near wall velocity.
You can simulate an inlet more accurately by defining an inlet velocity profile, so that the boundary layer is already
fully developed at the inlet. The one seventh power law will be used in this tutorial to describe the profile at the
pipe inlet. The equation for this is:
1

U = Wmax

r 7

R max

(Eq. 11.1)

where Wmax is the pipe centerline velocity, R max is the pipe radius, and r is the distance from the pipe centerline.
You can create a non-uniform (profile) boundary condition by doing one of the following:

Creating an expression using CEL that describes the inlet profile. Using a CEL expression is the easiest way to
create the profile.

Creating a User CEL Function that uses a user subroutine (linked to the CFX-Solver during execution) to describe
the inlet profile. The User CEL Function method is more complex, but is provided here as an example of how
to use this feature.

Loading a BC profile file (a file that contains boundary condition profile data).
Profiles created from data files are not used in this tutorial, but are used in the tutorial Flow in a Process Injection
Mixing Pipe (p. 67).

Note
For complex profiles, it may be necessary to use a User CEL Function or a BC profile file.
Use a CEL expression to define the velocity profile for the inlet boundary:

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157

Creating the Boundary Conditions

1.

Click Insert Expression

the problem description:

and create the following expressions using Equation 11.1 (p. 157) and values from

Name

Definition

Rmax

20 [mm]

Wmax

5 [m s^-1]

Wprof

Wmax*(abs(1-r/Rmax)^0.143)

In the definition of Wprof, the variable r (radius) is a CFX System Variable defined as:

r = x 2+y 2

(Eq. 11.2)

In this equation, x and y are defined as directions 1 and 2 (X and Y for Cartesian coordinate frames) respectively,
in the selected reference coordinate frame.
2.

Continue with the tutorial at Creating the Boundary Conditions (p. 158).

Creating the Boundary Conditions

Inlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named inlet.

2.

Apply the following settings, using values from the problem description:
Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

inlet

Boundary Details Mass And Momentum > Option

Fluid Values

Cart. Vel. Components

Mass And Momentum > U

0 [m s^-1]

Mass And Momentum > V

0 [m s^-1]

Mass And Momentum > W

Wprof [1 (p. 159)]

Boundary Conditions

Sand Fully Coupled

[2 (p. 159)]

Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Particle (Selected)

Behavior > Define Particle Behavior
Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Mass Cart. Vel. Components
[3 (p. 159)]
and Momentum > Option
Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Mass 0 [m s^-1]
And Momentum > U
Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Mass 0 [m s^-1]
And Momentum > V
Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Mass Wprof [4 (p. 159)]
And Momentum > W
Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Particle Uniform Injection
Position > Option

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Creating the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Particle Direct Specification
Position > Number of Positions > Option
Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Particle 200
Position > Number of Positions > Number
Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Particle 0.01 [kg s^-1]
Mass Flow > Mass Flow Rate
Boundary Conditions

Sand One Way Coupled

Boundary Conditions > Sand One Way Coupled >

Particle Behavior > Define Particle Behavior

(Selected)

Boundary Conditions > Sand One Way Coupled >

Mass and Momentum > Option

Cart. Vel. Components

Boundary Conditions > Sand One Way Coupled >

Mass And Momentum > U

0 [m s^-1]

Boundary Conditions > Sand One Way Coupled >

Mass And Momentum > V

0 [m s^-1]

Boundary Conditions > Sand One Way Coupled >

Mass And Momentum > W

Wprof [4 (p. 159)]

Boundary Conditions > Sand One Way Coupled >

Particle Position > Option

Uniform Injection

Boundary Conditions > Sand One Way Coupled >

Particle Position > Number of Positions > Option

Direct Specification

Boundary Conditions > Sand One Way Coupled >

Particle Position > Number of Positions > Number

5000

Boundary Conditions > Sand One Way Coupled >

Particle Position > Particle Mass Flow Rate > Mass
Flow Rate

0.01 [kg s^-1]

[3 (p. 159)]

Footnotes

3.

1.

Use the Expressions details view

to enter Wprof.

2.

Do not select Particle Diameter Distribution. The diameter distribution was defined when
creating the domain; this option would override those settings for this boundary only.

3.

Instead of manually specifying the same velocity profile as the fluid, you can also select the
Zero Slip Velocity option.

4.

As you did on the Boundary Details tab.

Click OK.

One-way coupled particles are tracked as a function of the fluid flow field. The latter is not influenced by the one-way
coupled particles. The fluid flow will therefore be influenced by the 0.01 [kg s^-1] flow of two-way coupled particles,
but not by the 0.01 [kg s^-1] flow of one-way coupled particles.

Outlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named outlet.

2.

Apply the following settings:

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159

Creating the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

outlet

Boundary Details Flow Regime > Option

3.

Subsonic

Mass and Momentum > Option

Average Static Pressure

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Click OK.

Symmetry Plane Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named symP.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry [1 (p. 160)]

Location

symP

Footnote
1.
3.

Symmetry can be used when geometry and mesh are invariant normal to the symmetry surface.

Click OK.

Pipe Wall Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named pipe wall.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic
Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

pipe wall

Boundary
Details

Wall Roughness > Option

Rough Wall

Wall Roughness > Sand Grain Roughness

0.2 [mm] [1 (p. 160)]

Fluid Values Boundary Conditions

Sand Fully Coupled

Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Velocity > Restitution Coefficient
Option
Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Velocity > 0.8 [2 (p. 161)]
Perpendicular Coeff.
Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled > Velocity > 1
Parallel Coeff.

Footnotes
1.

From the problem description. Make sure that you change the units to millimeters. The thickness
of the first element should be of the same order as the roughness height.
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Setting Initial Values

2.

This value would typically come from experimental or reference data.

3.

Apply the same setting values for Sand One Way Coupled as for Sand Fully Coupled.

4.

Click OK.

Editing the Default Boundary

1.

In the Outline tree view, edit the boundary named Default Domain Default.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Values

Boundary Conditions

Sand Fully Coupled

Boundary Conditions > Sand Fully Coupled 0.9 [1 (p. 161)]

> Velocity > Perpendicular Coeff.
Boundary Conditions

Sand One Way Coupled

Boundary Conditions > Sand One Way

0.9
Coupled > Velocity > Perpendicular Coeff.

Footnote
1.

3.

This value would typically come from experimental or reference data. For this tutorial, the
pipe wall and butterfly valve are considered to be made of different materials, so their
perpendicular coefficients are different.

Click OK.

Setting Initial Values

Set up the initial values to be consistent with the inlet boundary conditions:
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Global Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > Option > U

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > Option > V

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > Option > W

Wprof

Click OK.

Setting the Solver Controls

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Advection Scheme > Option

High Resolution

Particle Control

Particle Integration > Max. Particle Intg. Time Step (Selected)

Particle Integration > Max. Particle Intg. Time Step 1e+10 [s]
> Value
Particle Termination Control

(Selected)

Particle Termination Control > Maximum Tracking (Selected)

Time
Particle Termination Control > Maximum Tracking 10 [s]
Time > Value
Particle Termination Control > Maximum Tracking (Selected)
Distance
Particle Termination Control > Maximum Tracking 10 [m]
Distance > Value
Particle Termination Control > Max. Num.
Integration Steps

(Selected)

Particle Termination Control > Max. Num.

Integration Steps > Value

10000 [1 (p. 162)]

Footnote
1.

This value controls the number of mesh elements a particle is allowed to cross and therefore
must take into account the size and density of the mesh.

Note
The numeric values in the preceding table are all designed to put a high upper limit on the amount
of processing that will be done. For example, the tracking time of 10 seconds would allow a particle
to get caught in an eddy for a reasonable amount of time.
3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

PipeValve.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

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Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

When CFX-Pre has shut down and CFX-Solver Manager has started, you can obtain a solution to the CFD problem
by using the procedure that follows.
1.

Ensure the Define Run dialog box is displayed and click Start Run.

2.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

3.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

4.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

In this section, you will first plot erosion on the valve surface and side walls due to the sand particles. You will then
create an animation of particle tracks through the domain.

Erosion Due to Sand Particles

An important consideration in this simulation is erosion to the pipe wall and valve due to the sand particles. A good
indication of erosion is given by the Erosion Rate Density parameter, which corresponds to pressure and
shear stress due to the flow.
1.

Edit the object named Default Domain Default.

2.

Apply the following settings using the Ellipsis

as required for variable selection

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Sand One Way Coupled.Erosion Rate Density [1 (p. 163)]

Range

User Specified

Min

0 [kg m^-2 s^-1]

Max

25 [kg m^-2 s^-1] [2 (p. 163)]

Footnotes

3.

1.

This is statistically better than Sand Fully Coupled.Erosion Rate Density

because many more particles were calculated for Sand One Way Coupled.

2.

This range is used to gain a better resolution of the wall shear stress values around the edge
of the valve surfaces.

Click Apply.
As can be seen, the highest values occur on the edges of the valve where most particles strike. Erosion of the
low Z side of the valve would occur more quickly than for the high Z side.

Displaying Erosion on the Pipe Wall

Set the user specified range for coloring to resolve areas of stress on the pipe wall near of the valve:
1.

Ensure that the check box next to Res PT for Sand Fully Coupled is cleared.

2.

Ensure that the check box next to Default Domain Default is cleared.

3.

Edit the object named pipe wall.

4.

Apply the following settings:

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Setting the Particle Tracks

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Sand One Way Coupled.Erosion Rate Density

Range

User Specified

Min

0 [kg m^-2 s^-1]

Max

25 [kg m^-2 s^-1]

5.

Click Apply.

6.

Optionally, fill the check box next to Default Domain Default to see how sand particles have deflected
off the butterfly valve then to the pipe wall.

Setting the Particle Tracks

Default particle track objects are created at the start of the session. One particle track is created for each set of
particles in the simulation. You are going to make use of the default object for Sand Fully Coupled.
The default object draws 25 tracks as lines from the inlet to outlet. The Info tab shows information about the total
number of tracks, the index range, and the track numbers that are drawn.
1.

Edit the object named Res PT for Sand Fully Coupled.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Max Tracks

20 [1 (p. 164)]

Footnote
1.

This value improves the resolution of the tracks generated.

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Right-click on a blank area anywhere in the viewer, select Predefined Camera from the shortcut menu and
select View Towards +X to view the particle track.

Creating the Particle Track Symbols

1.

Turn off the visibility for all objects except Wireframe.

2.

Edit the object named Res PT for Sand Fully Coupled.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Sand Fully Coupled.Velocity w

Show Symbols

(Selected)

Show Symbols > Max Time

0 [s]

Show Symbols > Min Time

0 [s]

Show Symbols > Interval

0.07 [s]

Show Symbols > Symbol

Ball

Symbol

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Creating a Particle Track Animation

Tab

Setting

Value

Show Symbols > Scale

1.2

4.

Clear Show Tracks.

5.

Click Apply.
Symbols are placed at the start of each track.

Creating a Particle Track Animation

The following steps describe how to create a particle tracking animation using Quick Animation. Similar effects
can be achieved in more detail using the Keyframe Animation option, which allows full control over all aspects
on an animation.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Y up) from the
shortcut menu.

2.

Right-click an edge of the flat side on the half cylinder and select Reflect/Mirror from the shortcut menu.
Click X Axis to choose it as the normal direction.

Note
Alternatively, you can apply Reflect/Mirror, by double-clicking Default Domain to open up
the Details panel. In the Instancing tab enable Apply Reflection and select Method to YZ Plane.
Click Apply.
3.

Select Tools > Animation or click Animation

4.

Select Quick Animation.

5.

Select Res PT for Sand Fully Coupled:

6.

Click Options to display the Animation Options dialog box, then clear Override Symbol Settings to ensure
the symbol type and size are kept at their specified settings for the animation playback. Click OK.

Note
The arrow pointing downward in the bottom right corner of the Animation Window will reveal the
Options button if it is not immediately visible.
7.

Select Loop.

8.

Clear Repeat forever

9.

Select Save Movie.

and ensure Repeat is set to 1.

10. Set Format to MPEG1.

11. Click Browse

and enter tracks.mpg as the file name.

12. Click Play the animation

13. If prompted to overwrite an existing movie, click Overwrite.

The animation plays and builds an .mpg file.
14. Close the Animation dialog box.

Determining Minimum, Maximum, and Average Pressure Values

On the outlet boundary you created in CFX-Pre, you set the Average Static Pressure to 0.0 [Pa]. To see the
effect of this:
1.

From the main menu select Tools > Function Calculator.

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Determining Minimum, Maximum, and Average Pressure Values

The Function Calculator is displayed. It allows you to perform a wide range of quantitative calculations on
your results.

Note
You should use Conservative variable values when performing calculations and Hybrid values for
visualization purposes. Conservative values are set by default in CFD-Post but you can manually
change the setting for each variable in the Variables Workspace, or the settings for all variables by
using the Function Calculator. For details, see Hybrid and Conservative Variable Values (p. 165)
in the ANSYS CFX Reference Guide.
2.

Set Function to maxVal.

3.

Set Location to outlet.

4.

Set Variable to Pressure.

5.

Click Calculate.
The result is the maximum value of pressure at the outlet.

6.

Perform the calculation again using minVal to obtain the minimum pressure at the outlet.

7.

Select areaAve, and then click Calculate.

This calculates the area weighted average of pressure.

The average pressure is approximately zero, as specified by the boundary.

Other Features
The geometry was created using a symmetry plane. In addition to the Reflect/Mirror option from the shortcut
menu, you also can display the other half of the geometry by creating a YZ Plane at X = 0 and then editing the
Default Transform object to use this plane as a reflection plane.
When you have finished viewing the results, quit CFD-Post.

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Chapter 12. Flow in a Catalytic Converter

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 167)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 168)

Approach to the Problem (p. 168)

Before You Begin (p. 169)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 169)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 169)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 176)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 176)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Using multiple meshes in CFX-Pre.

Joining meshes together using static fluid-fluid domain interfaces between the inlet/outlet flanges and the central
catalyst body.

Applying a source of resistance using a directional loss model.

Creating a chart to show pressure drop versus Z coordinate in CFD-Post.

Exporting data from a line locator to a file.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Domain Type

Multiple Domain (Fluid, Porous)

Fluid Type

Ideal Gas

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Isothermal

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Wall: No-Slip

Domain Interfaces

Fluid-Fluid (No Frame Change)

Fluid-Porous

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Plots

Contour
Default Locators
Outline Plot (Wireframe)
Polyline
Slice Plane
Vector

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details

Other

Chart Creation
Data Export
Title/Text
Viewing the Mesh

Overview of the Problem to Solve

Catalytic converters are used on most vehicles on the road today. They reduce harmful emissions from internal
combustion engines (such as oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide) that are the result of incomplete
combustion. Most new catalytic converters are the honeycomb ceramic type and are usually coated with platinum,
rhodium, or palladium.

In this tutorial, you will model a catalytic converter in order to determine the pressure drop through it when air
enters the inlet at 25 m/s, and exits the outlet at a static pressure of 1 atm. For simplicity, you will not model chemical
reactions. Assume that the catalytic converter contains isothermal air at a temperature of 600 K.
You are provided with a mesh for the passageways inside a pipe-and-flange structure. You will use this mesh, and
a copy of it, to model the pipe and flange portions of the flow field, at both ends of the catalytic converter.
For the housing, you are provided with a hexahedral mesh that was created in ICEM-Hexa. This mesh fills the entire
3D volume of the housing.
To model the presence of the honeycomb structure that exists in the housing, you will model porosity and apply
resistance to the flow. The honeycomb structure has a porosity of 70%, which means that 70% of the total volume
is available for fluid flow, and the other 30% is occupied by the solid material that comprises the honeycomb
structure. The honeycomb structure is lined up with the flow, so that the flow cannot travel in the transverse direction.
To model resistance to the flow, you will apply a streamwise quadratic resistance coefficient of 650 kg m^-4. To
prevent any significant transverse flow, apply a quadratic resistance coefficient of 6500 kg m^-4 in the transverse
direction. These given resistance coefficients are based on the superficial flow velocity, rather than the true flow
velocity.

Approach to the Problem

You will first import the mesh for the housing. You will then import a mesh for one of the two flanges. You will
then produce another flange mesh by transforming the first.
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Before You Begin

You will create one porous domain for the housing, and one fluid domain for both flanges.
You will model a honeycomb structure inside the housing by specifying a porosity and applying a directional
momentum loss model.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

CatConvHousing.hex

CatConvMesh.gtm

CatConv.pre

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run CatConv.pre. For details, see
Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 176).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type CatConv.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Meshes

The mesh for this catalytic converter comprises three distinct parts:

The outlet section (pipe and flange).

The inlet section (pipe and flange).

You will copy and rotate the outlet section through 180 degrees to create this section.

The catalyst (or monolith).

Next you will import the catalyst housing and a generic inlet/outlet section from provided files.

Importing the Housing Mesh

The first mesh that you will import, CatConvHousing.hex, is a hexahedral mesh for the catalyst housing. The
mesh was originally created in ICEM-Hexa using mesh units of centimeters. Because this type of mesh file does
not specify the mesh units, you must specify them manually. The imported mesh has a width in the x-direction of
21 cm and a length in the z-direction of 20 cm.
1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned off.

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Importing the Meshes

Default Domain generation should be turned off because you will create a new domain manually, later in this
tutorial.
2.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other.

The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

3.

4.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

Files of type

All Types(*)

Mesh Format

ICEM CFD

Options > Mesh Units

cm

File name

CatConvHousing.hex

Click Open.

Later in this tutorial, you will create a porous domain for the housing in order to simulate flow through a honeycomb
structure.

Importing the Pipe and Flange Mesh

The second mesh that you will import, CatConvMesh.gtm, is a mesh for a pipe and flange. The mesh has units
of centimeters. Because this type of mesh file does specify the mesh units, there is no need to specify them manually.
1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > CFX Mesh.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

CatConvMesh.gtm

Click Open.

You now have a pipe and flange on the outlet end of the housing. In the next step, you will create a transformed
copy of the pipe and flange for the inlet end.

Creating a Second Pipe and Flange Mesh

Create a transformed copy of the pipe and flange mesh:
1.

Right-click CatConvMesh.gtm and select Transform Mesh.

The Mesh Transformation Editor dialog box appears.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

Transformation

Rotation

Rotation Option

Rotation Axis

From

0, 0, 0.16

To

0, 1, 0.16 [1 (p. 171)]

Rotation Angle Option

Specified

Rotation Angle

180 [degree]
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Creating the Fluid Domain

Setting

Value

Multiple Copies

(Selected)

Multiple Copies > # of Copies

Footnote
1.
3.

This specifies an axis located at the center of the housing parallel to the y-axis.

Click OK.

Later in this tutorial, you will create a fluid domain for both pipe and flange sections.

Creating a Single Region for Both Pipe and Flange Meshes

The outlet pipe and flange region is B1.P3. The inlet pipe and flange region is B1.P3 2.
There are three basic options for creating fluid domains on these regions:

Create two similar domains: one that applies to B1.P3, and one that applies to B1.P3 2.

Create one domain that applies to both B1.P3 and B1.P3 2.

Create one domain that applies to one composite region, the latter referring to B1.P3 and B1.P3 2.

For demonstration purposes, you will create a composite region and use it as the location for a single fluid domain.
Create a single region that includes both pipe-flange regions:
1.

Create a new composite region by selecting Insert > Regions > Composite Region.

2.

In the Insert Region dialog box, set the name to CatConverter.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings:

5.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Dimension (Filter)

3D

Region List

B1.P3, B1.P3 2

Click OK.

Creating the Fluid Domain

For this simulation you will use an isothermal heat transfer model and assume turbulent flow. Create the fluid
domain using the composite region that you created earlier:
1.

Ensure that no default domain is present under Flow Analysis 1. If a default domain is present, right-click
it and select Delete.

2.

Create a new domain by selecting Insert > Domain, or click Domain

3.

In the Insert Domain dialog box, set the name to Pipes.

4.

Click OK.

5.

Apply the following settings (the values are taken from the problem description):

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

CatConverter

Location and Type > Domain Type

Fluid Domain

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

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Creating the Porous Domain

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 > Material Air Ideal Gas

Fluid Models

6.

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure

1 [atm]

Heat Transfer > Option

Isothermal

Heat Transfer > Fluid Temperature

600 [K]

Click OK.

Creating the Porous Domain

The catalyst-coated honeycomb structure will be modeled using a porous domain with a directional source of
quadratic resistance, as described in the problem description. The streamwise directional resistance is aligned with
the Z axis.
For quadratic resistances, the pressure drop is modeled using:
p
xi

= KQ U U i

(Eq. 12.1)

where KQ is the quadratic resistance coefficient, U i is the local velocity in the i direction, and
drop gradient in the i direction.
1.

Create a new domain by selecting Insert > Domain, or click Domain

2.

In the Insert Domain dialog box, set the name to Housing.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings:

p
is the pressure
xi

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

LIVE [1 (p. 173)]

Location and Type > Domain Type

Porous Domain

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 > Material

Air Ideal Gas

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure

1 [atm]

Volume Porosity > Option

Value

Volume Porosity > Volume Porosity

0.7

Loss Model > Option

Directional Loss

Loss Model > Loss Velocity Type

Superficial [2 (p. 173)]

Porosity
Settings

Loss Model > Directional Loss > Streamwise Direction > Cartesian Components
Option
Loss Model > Directional Loss > Streamwise Direction > 0
X Component
Loss Model > Directional Loss > Streamwise Direction > 0
Y Component

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Creating the Boundaries

Tab

Setting

Value

Loss Model > Directional Loss > Streamwise Direction > -1

Z Component
Loss Model > Directional Loss > Streamwise Loss >
Option

Linear and Quadratic

Resistance Coefficients

Loss Model > Directional Loss > Streamwise Loss >

Quadratic Resistance Coefficient

(Selected)

Loss Model > Directional Loss > Streamwise Loss >

650 [kg m^-4] [3 (p. 173)]
Quadratic Resistance Coefficient > Quadratic Coefficient
Loss Model > Directional Loss > Transverse Loss > Option Streamwise Coefficient
Multiplier

Fluid Models

Loss Model > Directional Loss > Transverse Loss >

Multiplier

10 [3 (p. 173)]

Heat Transfer > Option

Isothermal

Heat Transfer > Fluid Temperature

600 [K]

Footnotes

5.

1.

This is the entire housing section as predefined in the mesh.

2.

Superficial velocity is the velocity at which the flow would travel if the porosity of the domain
were 100%. It is less than the true velocity.

3.

From the problem description.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

Create the inlet and outlet boundaries using the values given in the problem description.

Creating the Inlet Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary in domain Pipes named Inlet.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

PipeEnd 2

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed

25 [m s^-1] [2 (p. 173)]

Boundary Details
[1 (p. 173)]

Footnotes

3.

1.

The default level of turbulence is suitable for this application.

2.

From the problem description.

Click OK.

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Creating the Domain Interfaces

Creating the Outlet Boundary

Set up the outlet with a static pressure boundary:
1.

Create a new boundary in domain Pipes named Outlet.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

PipeEnd

Mass and Momentum > Option

Static Pressure

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.
The remaining outer surfaces are automatically assigned to the default (no slip wall) boundaries: Housing
Default and Pipes Default.

Creating the Domain Interfaces

You will next create a pair of domain interfaces to model the connection between the fluid and porous domains.
The meshes on the interfaces are dissimilar, so a General Grid Interface (GGI) connection method is required.
Domain interfaces are capable of modeling changes in reference frame as well as other changes that are not applicable
to this simulation.
Two interfaces are required, one to connect the inlet flange to the catalyst housing and one to connect the outlet
flange to the catalyst housing.
1.

Create a new domain interface by selecting Insert > Domain Interface, or click Domain Interface

2.

In the Insert Domain Interface dialog box, set the name to InletSide.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Porous

Interface Side 1 > Domain (Filter)

Pipes

Interface Side 1 > Region List

FlangeEnd 2

Interface Side 2 > Domain (Filter)

Housing

Interface Side 2 > Region List

INLET

Mesh Connection Method > Mesh

Connection > Option

GGI

5.

Click OK.

6.

Create a similar domain interface named OutletSide that connects FlangeEnd (in domain Pipes) to
OUTLET (in domain Housing).

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Setting Initial Values

Setting Initial Values

A sensible guess for the initial velocity is the expected velocity through the catalyst housing. You can assume
incompressible flow and apply conservation of mass to obtain an approximate velocity of 2.8 [m s^-1] through the
housing based on the following known information:

The inlet velocity: 25 [m s^-1]

The cross sectional area of the inlet and housing, which can be determined using the function calculator in
CFD-Post: 0.001913 m^2 and 0.024039 m^2 respectively

The porosity of the honeycomb structure: 70%

1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Global Settings Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Automatic with Value
Components > Option
Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity 0 [m s^-1]
Components > U
Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity 0 [m s^-1]
Components > V
Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity -2.8 [m s^-1]
Components > W
3.

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

Assuming velocities of 25 m/s in the inlet and outlet pipes, and 2.8 m/s in the catalyst housing, an approximate fluid
residence time of 0.1 s can be calculated. A sensible time step is 1/4 to 1/2 of the fluid residence time. In this case,
use a time step of 0.04 s.
For the convergence criteria, an RMS value of at least 1e-05 is usually required for adequate convergence, but the
default value of 1e-04 is sufficient for demonstration purposes.
1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control >Fluid Timescale Control 0.04 [s]

> Physical Timescale
3.

Click OK.

Setting a Discretization Option

The porous cs discretisation option expert parameter specifies how the pressure is treated at interfaces
to a porous domain: 1=constant static pressure; 2=constant total pressure. Constant total pressure is the preferred
and more physical setting. However, when using this setting, in cases where there are sections of the porous interface

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

where there is little or no flow normal to the interface, the CFX-Solver may fail to converge. These convergence
difficulties may be overcome by using the less physical constant static pressure setting.
This simulation involves flow that moves from a fluid domain into a porous domain, approaching the interface at
various angles. In this case, better convergence can be achieved by changing the porous cs discretisation
option expert parameter from the default value of 2 to 1.
1.

Click Insert > Solver > Expert Parameter.

2.

Apply the following settings in the Expert Parameters details view:

Tab

Setting

Value

Discretization

Miscellaneous > porous cs discretization (Selected)

option
Miscellaneous > porous cs discretization 1
option > Value

3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

CatConv.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

At this point, CFX-Solver Manager is running.
1.

Ensure that the Define Run dialog box is displayed.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This may take a long time, depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.

3.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

In this section, you will inspect the GGI interface to see the lack of node alignment that characterizes this type of
interface. You will also create plots showing the distribution of temperature and pressure on a flat plane that intersects
the catalytic converter. You will then make a chart showing pressure versus Z coordinate using data from a polyline
that runs around the perimeter of the catalytic converter. Finally, you will export data from the polyline to a file.
Such a file could be used in other programs, or could be loaded into CFD-Post (for example, to use as data for a
chart line).
The topics in this section include:
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Viewing the Mesh on a GGI Interface

Viewing the Mesh on a GGI Interface (p. 177)

Creating User Locations (p. 178)

Creating Plots (p. 179)

Exporting Polyline Data (p. 180)

Viewing the Mesh on a GGI Interface

In this section, you will examine a GGI interface. As a preliminary step, do the following:
1.

When CFD-Post opens, if you see the Domain Selector dialog box, ensure that both domains are selected, then
click OK.

2.

Edit User Locations and Plots > Wireframe.

3.

Set Edge Angle to 10 [degree] and click Apply to see more of the mesh surface.

4.

Turn off the visibility of User Locations and Plots > Wireframe.

5.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.

In the Outline tree view, four interface sides are listed. There are two sides to the interface between the housing
and the inlet. Similarly, there are two sides to the corresponding interface on the outlet side.
Examine the interface on the inlet side to see the nature of the GGI connection:
1.

In the Outline tree view, edit InletSide Side 1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Render

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines > Color Mode

User Specified

Show Mesh Lines > Line Color

(Red)

3.

Click Apply.

4.

In the Outline tree view, edit InletSide Side 2.

5.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Render

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines > Color Mode

User Specified

Show Mesh Lines > Line Color

(Green)

6.

Click Apply.

7.

Click Fit View

to re-center and re-scale the geometry.

You can now see the tetrahedral/prism and hexahedral mesh on each side of the GGI interface. This interface was
used to produce a connection between dissimilar meshes before the solution was calculated. Notice that there are
more tetrahedral/prism elements than hexahedral elements and that the extent of the two meshes is not quite the
same (this is most noticeable on the curved edges).

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Creating User Locations

Creating User Locations

In this section, you will create locators that you will use to make plots.
To make it easier to see the locators, adjust the view as follows:
1.

Turn on the visibility of User Locations and Plots > Wireframe.

2.

Turn off the visibility of Pipes > InletSide Side 1 and Housing > InletSide Side 2.

Creating a Slice Plane

Later in this tutorial, you will produce a contour plot and a vector plot. Both of these plots require a slice plane
locator.
Create a slice plane through the geometry as follows:
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards +Y.

2.

Create a new plane named Plane 1.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

ZX Plane

Definition > Y

0.0 [m]

Mode

Variable

Variable

Pressure

Color

4.

Click Apply.

Creating a Polyline
Later in this tutorial, you will make a chart that plots data from a polyline.
The Method used to create the polyline can be From File, Boundary Intersection, or From Contour.
If you select From File, you must specify a file containing point definitions in the required format.
In this tutorial, you will use the Boundary Intersection method. This creates a polyline from the intersecting
line between a boundary object and a location (for example, between a wall and a plane). The points on the polyline
are where the intersecting line cuts through a surface mesh edge.
You will be able to see the polyline following the intersecting line between the wall, inlet and outlet boundaries
and the slice plane.
1.

Create a new polyline named Polyline 1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Method

Boundary Intersection

Boundary List

Housing Default, Pipes Default

[1 (p. 179)]

Color

Render

Intersect With

Plane 1

Mode

Constant

Color

(Yellow)

Line Width

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Creating Plots

Footnote
1.
3.

Click the Ellipsis icon

to select multiple items using the Ctrl key.

Click Apply.

Creating Plots
In this section, you will make plots on the slice plane and polyline locators.

Creating a Contour Plot of Pressure

You will now create a contour plot to observe the pressure change throughout the main body of the catalytic converter:
1.

Clear Plane 1 in the Outline tab.

2.

Create a new contour plot named Contour 1.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

Plane 1

Variable

Pressure

Range

Global

# of Contours

30 [1 (p. 179)]

Show Contour Bands

(Cleared)

Render

Footnote
1.
4.

Determined by experiment.

Click Apply.
From the contour plot, you can see that the pressure falls steadily through the main body of the catalytic
converter.

Creating a Vector Plot on the Slice Plane

Create a vector plot to display the recirculation zone:
1.

Create a new vector plot named Vector 1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

Plane 1

Symbol

Symbol Size

0.1

Normalize Symbols

(Selected)

Click Apply.

Notice that the flow separates from the walls, where the inlet pipe expands into the flange, setting up a recirculation
zone. The flow is uniform through the catalyst housing.

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179

Exporting Polyline Data

Creating a Chart of Pressure versus the Z Coordinate

In this section, you will make a chart to see if the pressure drop is, as expected, linear by plotting a line graph of
pressure against the z-coordinate. In this case you will use CFD-Post to produce the graph, but you could also export
the data, then read it into any standard plotting package.
1.

Create a new chart named Chart 1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

General

Title

Pressure Drop through a Catalytic

Converter

Data Series

Name

Pressure Drop

Data Source > Location

Polyline 1

X Axis

Data Selection > Variable

Y Axis

Data Selection > Variable

Pressure

Line Display

Line Display > Line Style

None

Line Display > Symbols

Rectangle

Sizes > Symbol

Chart Display
3.

Click Apply.
Through the main body of the catalytic converter you can see that the pressure drop is linear. This is in the
region from approximately Z=0.06 to Z=0.26. The two lines show the pressure on each side of the wall. You
can see a noticeable difference in pressure between the two walls on the inlet side of the housing (at around
Z=0.26).

4.

If required, in the Outline tree view, select Contour 1, Polyline 1, and Vector 1.

5.

Click the 3D Viewer tab, then right-click a blank area and select Predefined Camera > View Towards +Y.
You should now see that the flow enters the housing from the inlet pipe at a slight angle, producing a higher
pressure on the high X wall of the housing.

Exporting Polyline Data

You can export data from a polyline for use in other software.
Export data as follows:
1.

From the main menu, select File > Export.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Options

Locations

Polyline 1

Export Geometry Information

(Selected) [1 (p. 180)]

Select Variables

Pressure

Precision

Formatting

Footnote
1.

This ensures X, Y, and Z to be sent to the output file.

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Exporting Polyline Data

3.

Click Save.
The file export.csv will be written to the current working directory in a comma-separated variable format.
This file can be opened in any text editor. You can use the exported data file to plot charts in other software
such as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

4.

When finished, quit CFD-Post.

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Chapter 13. Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow in

an Annulus
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 183)

Background Theory (p. 183)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 184)

Before You Begin (p. 185)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 185)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 186)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 190)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 190)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Defining a non-Newtonian fluid.

Using the Moving Wall feature to apply a rotation to the fluid at a wall boundary.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

Laminar

Heat Transfer

None

Boundary Conditions

Symmetry Plane
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Moving

CFD-Post

Timestep

Auto Time Scale

Plots

Sampling Plane
Vector

Background Theory
A Newtonian fluid is a fluid for which shear stress is linearly proportional to shear-strain rate, with temperature
held constant. For such a fluid, the dynamic viscosity is constant and equal to the shear stress divided by the
shear-strain rate.
A non-Newtonian fluid is a fluid for which the shear stress in not linearly proportional to the shear-strain rate. For
such fluids, the apparent viscosity is the ratio of shear stress to shear-strain rate for a given shear-strain rate.
A shear-thickening fluid is a type of non-Newtonian fluid for which the apparent viscosity increases with increasing
shear-strain rate.
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183

Overview of the Problem to Solve

Figure 13.1. Shear Stress of a Shear-thickening Fluid

Figure 13.2. Apparent Viscosity of a Shear-thickening Fluid

This tutorial involves a shear thickening fluid that obeys the Ostwald de Waele model between apparent viscosity
and shear-strain rate:

= K ( ) n 1

(Eq. 13.1)

where is the apparent viscosity, K is the viscosity consistency, is the shear-strain rate, is a normalizing time
constant, and n is the Power Law index. Note that the units for K are not tied to the value of n because the quantity
in parentheses is dimensionless.

Overview of the Problem to Solve

In this tutorial, a shear-thickening liquid rotates in a 2D eccentric annular pipe gap. The outer pipe remains stationary
while the inner pipe rotates at a constant rate about its own axis, which is the Z-axis. Both pipes have nonslip
surfaces.
The fluid used in this simulation has material properties that are not a function of temperature. The ambient pressure
is 1 atmosphere.

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Before You Begin

The shear-thickening liquid that is used in this tutorial obeys the Ostwald de Waele model with a viscosity consistency
of 10.0 kg m-1 s-1, a Power Law index of 1.5, and a time constant of 1 s. This model is assumed to be valid for
shear-strain rates ranging from 1.0E-3 s-1 to 100 s-1. The fluid has a density of 1.0E4 kg m-3. The viscosity is plotted
over this range in Figure 13.2, Apparent Viscosity of a Shear-thickening Fluid (p. 184).

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

NonNewton.pre

NonNewtonMesh.gtm

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

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Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run NonNewton.pre. For details,
see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 190).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type NonNewton.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned off.
Default Domain generation should be turned off because you will create a new domain manually, later in this
tutorial.

2.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > CFX Mesh.

3.

Apply the following settings:

4.

Setting

Value

File name

NonNewtonMesh.gtm

Click Open.

Creating the Fluid

As stated in the problem description, the shear-thickening liquid that is used in this tutorial obeys the Ostwald de
Waele model with a viscosity consistency (K ) of 10.0 kg m-1 s-1, a Power Law index (n) of 1.5, and a time constant
of 1 s. This model is assumed to be valid for shear-strain rates ranging from 1.0E-3 s-1 to 100 s-1. The fluid has a
density of 1.0E4 kg m-3.
1.

Create a new material named myfluid.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Thermodynamic State

(Selected)

Thermodynamic State > Thermodynamic State

Liquid

Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State >

Molar Mass

1.0 [kg kmol^-1]a

Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State >

Density

1.0E+4 [kg m^-3]

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity

(Selected)

Material Properties

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity > Option Non Newtonian Model
a

This is not the correct value for molar mass, but this property is not used by CFX-Solver in this case. In other cases it might be used.

3.

Apply the following settings under Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity > Non Newtonian Viscosity
Model:
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Creating the Domain

4.

Setting

Value

Option

Ostwald de Waele

Viscosity Consistency

10.0 [kg m^-1 s^1]

Min Shear Strain Rate

0.001 [s^-1]

Max Shear Strain Rate

100 [s^-1]

Time Constant

1 [s]

Power Law Index

1.5

Click OK.

Creating the Domain

The flow is expected to be laminar because the Reynolds number, based on the rotational speed, the maximum
width of the pipe gap, and a representative viscosity (calculated using the shear-strain rate in the widest part of the
gap, assuming a linear velocity profile), is approximately 30, which is well within the laminar-flow range.
From the problem description, the ambient pressure is 1 atmosphere.
Create a fluid domain that uses the non-Newtonian fluid you created in the previous section, and specify laminar
flow with a reference pressure of 1 atmosphere:
1.

Ensure that Flow Analysis 1 > Default Domain is deleted. If not, right-click Default Domain
and select Delete.

2.

Click Domain

3.

Apply the following settings to NonNewton:

and set the name to NonNewton.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location

B8

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 > Material myfluid

Fluid Models

4.

Heat Transfer > Option

None

Turbulence > Option

None (Laminar)

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

The inner and outer pipes both have nonslip surfaces. A rotating-wall boundary is required for the inner pipe. For
the outer pipe, which is stationary, the default boundary is suitable. By not explicitly creating a boundary for the
outer pipe, the latter receives the default wall boundary.
This tutorial models 2D flow in a pipe gap, where the latter is infinite in the Z-direction. The flow domain models
a thin 3D slice (in fact, just one layer of mesh elements) that has two surfaces of constant-Z coordinate that each
require a boundary. Symmetry boundary conditions are suitable in this case, since there is no pressure gradient or
velocity gradient in the Z-direction.

Wall Boundary for the Inner Pipe

From the problem description, the inner pipe rotates at 31.33 rpm about the Z-axis. Create a wall boundary for the
inner pipe that indicates this rotation:
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Setting Initial Values

1.

Create a new boundary named rotwall.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

rotwall

Mass And Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Mass And Momentum > Wall Velocity

(Selected)

Mass And Momentum > Wall Velocity >

Option

Rotating Wall

Mass And Momentum > Wall Velocity >

Angular Velocity

31.33 [rev min^-1]

Mass And Momentum > Axis Definition >

Option

Coordinate Axis

Mass And Momentum > Axis Definition >

Rotation Axis

Global Z

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Symmetry Plane Boundary

In order to simulate the presence of an infinite number of identical 2D slices while ensuring that the flow remains
2D, apply a symmetry boundary on the high-Z and low-Z sides of the domain:
1.

Create a new boundary named SymP1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

SymP1

3.

Click OK.

4.

Create a new boundary named SymP2.

5.

Apply the following settings:

6.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

SymP2

Click OK.
The outer annulus surfaces will default to the no-slip stationary wall boundary.

Setting Initial Values

A reasonable guess for the initial velocity field is a value of zero throughout the domain. In this case, the problem
converges adequately and quickly with such an initial guess. If this were not the case, you could, in principle, create
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Setting Solver Control

and use CEL expressions to specify a better approximation of the steady-state flow field based on the information
given in the problem description.
Set a static initial velocity field:
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Global
Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > U

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > V

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > W

0 [m s^-1]

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

Because this flow is low-speed, laminar, and because of the nature of the geometry, the solution converges very
well. For this reason, set the solver control settings for a high degree of accuracy and a high degree of convergence.
1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Advection Scheme > Option

Specified Blend Factor

Advection Scheme > Blend Factor

1.0a

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

50

Convergence Criteria > Residual Type

RMS

Convergence Criteria > Residual Target

1e-05b

This is the most accurate but least robust advection scheme.

This target demands a solution with a very high degree of convergence. For more information about recommended convergence targets,
see Judging Convergence (p. 339).

3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

NonNewton.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

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Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

When CFX-Pre has shut down and CFX-Solver Manager has started, you can obtain a solution to the CFD problem
by following the instructions below:
1.

Ensure that the Define Run dialog box is displayed.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This may take a long time, depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.

3.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

The following steps instruct you on how to create a vector plot showing the velocity values in the domain.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z from the shortcut
menu.

2.

Create a new plane named Plane 1.

This plane will be used as a locator for a vector plot. To produce regularly-spaced sample points, create a
circular sample plane, centered on the inner pipe, with a radius sufficient to cover the entire domain, and specify
a reasonable number of sample points in the radial and theta directions. Note that the sample points are generated
over the entire plane, and only those that are in the domain are usable in a vector plot.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

Point and Normal

Definition > Point

0, 0, 0.015a

Definition > Normal

0, 0, 1

Plane Bounds > Type

Circular

Plane Bounds > Radius

0.3 [m]

Plane Type

Sample

Plane Type > R Samples

32

Plane Type > Theta Samples

24

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines > Color Mode

User Specified

Line Color

(Choose green, or some other

color, to distinguish the sample
plane from the Wireframe
object.)

Render

This is the point on the axis of the inner pipe, in the middle of the domain in the Z-direction.

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

4.

Click Apply.

5.

Examine the sample plane. The sample points are located at the line intersections. Note that many of the sample
points are outside the domain. Only those points that are in the domain are usable for positioning vectors in a
vector plot.

6.

Turn off the visibility of Plane 1.

7.

Create a new vector plot named Vector 1 on Plane 1.

8.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Locations

Plane 1

Definition > Sampling

Vertexa

Definition > Reduction

Reduction Factor

Definition > Factor

1.0b

Definition > Variable

Velocity

Definition > Hybrid

(Selected)c

Symbol Size

3d

Symbol

a
This causes the vectors to be located at the nodes of the sample plane you created previously. Note that the vectors can alternatively be
spaced using other options that do not require a sample plane. For details, see Sampling (p. 92).
b
A reduction factor of 1.0 causes no reduction in the number of vectors so that there will be one vector per sample point.
c
The hybrid values are modified at the boundaries for post-processing purposes. For details, see Hybrid and Conservative Variable Values
(p. 165).
d
Because CFD-Post normalizes the size of the vectors based on the largest vector, and because of the large variation of velocity in this
case, the smallest velocity vectors would normally be too small to see clearly.

9.

Click Apply.

In CFX-Pre, you created a shear-thickening liquid that obeys the Ostwald de Waele model for shear-strain rates
ranging from 1.0E-3 s-1 to 100 s-1. The values of dynamic viscosity, which are a function of the shear-strain rate,
were calculated as part of the solution. You can post-process the solution using these values, which are stored in
the Dynamic Viscosity variable. For example, you can use this variable to color graphics objects.
Color Plane 1 using the Dynamic Viscosity variable:
1.

Turn on the visibility of Plane 1.

2.

Edit Plane 1.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Dynamic Viscosity

Show Faces

(Selected)

Render
4.

Click Apply

Try plotting Shear Strain Rate on the same plane. Note that the distribution is somewhat different than that
of Dynamic Viscosity, as a consequence of the non-linear relationship (see Figure 13.2, Apparent Viscosity
of a Shear-thickening Fluid (p. 184)).
When you have finished, quit CFD-Post.

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Chapter 14. Flow in an Axial Rotor/Stator

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 193)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 194)

Before You Begin (p. 196)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 196)

Defining a Frozen Rotor Case in CFX-Pre (p. 197)

Obtaining a Solution to the Frozen Rotor Model (p. 199)

Viewing the Frozen Rotor Results in CFD-Post (p. 200)

Setting up a Transient Rotor-Stator Calculation (p. 202)

Obtaining a Solution to the Transient Rotor-Stator Model (p. 204)

Viewing the Transient Rotor-Stator Results in CFD-Post (p. 205)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Using the Turbo Wizard in CFX-Pre to quickly specify a turbomachinery application.

Multiple Frames of Reference and Generalized Grid Interface.

Using a Frozen Rotor interface between the rotor and stator domains.

Modifying an existing simulation.

Setting up a transient calculation.

Using a Transient Rotor-Stator interface condition to replace a Frozen Rotor interface.

Creating a transient animation showing domain movement in CFD-Post.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

Turbo Wizard

Analysis Type

Steady State
Transient

Fluid Type

Ideal Gas

Domain Type

Multiple Domain
Rotating Frame of Reference

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Total Energy

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Adiabatic

Domain Interfaces

Frozen Rotor
Periodic

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Transient Rotor Stator

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Transient Example

Transient Results File

CFX-Solver Manager

Restart
Parallel Processing

CFD-Post

Plots

Animation
Isosurface
Surface Group

Turbo Post
Other

Changing the Color Range

Chart Creation
Instancing Transformation
Movie Generation
Quantitative Calculation
Time Step Selection
Transient Animation

Overview of the Problem to Solve

The goal of this tutorial is to set up a transient calculation of the Rotor-Stator to then create an animation showing
its domain movement.
The full geometry of the axial rotor/stator contains 60 stator blades and 113 rotor blades. The following figure shows
approximately half of the full geometry. The Inflow and Outflow labels show the location of the modeled section
in Figure 14.1, Geometry subsection (p. 196).

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

The geometry to be modeled consists of a single stator blade passage and two rotor blade passages. This is an
approximation to the full geometry since the ratio of rotor blades to stator blades is close to, but not exactly, 2:1.
In the stator blade passage a 6 section is being modeled (360/60 blades), while in the rotor blade passage, a 6.372
section is being modeled (2*360/113 blades). This produces a pitch ratio at the interface between the stator and
rotor of 0.942. As the flow crosses the interface, it is scaled to allow this type of geometry to be modeled. This
results in an approximation of the inflow to the rotor passage. Furthermore, the flow across the interface will not
appear continuous due to the scaling applied.
You should always try to obtain a pitch ratio as close to 1 as possible in your model to minimize approximations,
but this must be weighed against computational resources. A full machine analysis can be performed (modeling all
rotor and stator blades) which will always eliminate any pitch change, but will require significant computational
time. For this rotor/stator geometry, a 1/4 machine section (28 rotor blades, 15 stator blades) would produce a pitch
change of 1.009, but this would require a model about 15 times larger than in this tutorial example.
In this example, the rotor rotates about the Z-axis at 523.6 rad/s while the stator is stationary. Periodic boundaries
are used to allow only a small section of the full geometry to be modeled.
The important parameters of this problem are:

Total pressure = 0.265 bar

Static Pressure = 0.0662 bar

Total temperature = 328.5 K

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Before You Begin

Figure 14.1. Geometry subsection

The overall approach to solving this problem is to first define the Frozen Rotor simulation using the Turbomachinery
wizard. The mesh for the rotor created in CFX-TASCflow will then be imported and combined with a second mesh
(the stator), which was created using CFX-Mesh. The results will be viewed using the Turbo-Post feature. The
existing Frozen Rotor simulation will then be modified to define the transient Rotor-Stator simulation. The transient
Rotor-Stator simulation will be performed using the steady-state Frozen Rotor as an initial guess. Finally, a transient
animation showing domain movement will be created in CFD-Post.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

Axial.pre

AxialIni.pre

AxialIni_001.res

rotor.grd

stator.gtm
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Defining a Frozen Rotor Case in CFX-Pre

2.

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Frozen Rotor Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run AxialIni.pre. For details,
see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution to the Frozen Rotor Model (p. 199).
Otherwise, this simulation will be set up manually using the Turbomachinery wizard in CFX-Pre. This pre-processing
mode is designed to simplify the setup of turbomachinery simulations.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select Turbomachinery and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type AxialIni.

5.

Click Save.

Basic Settings
1.

Set Machine Type to Axial Turbine.

2.

Click Next.

Component Definition
Two new components are required. As they are created, meshes are imported.
1.

Right-click in the blank area and select Add Component from the shortcut menu.

2.

Create a new component of type Stationary, named S1.

3.

Apply the following setting

Setting

Value

Mesh > File

stator.gtma

You may have to select the CFX Mesh (*gtm *cfx) option under Files of type.

4.

Create a new component of type Rotating, named R1.

5.

Apply the following settings

Setting

Value

Component Type > Value

523.6 [radian s^-1]

Mesh > File

rotor.grda

Options > Mesh Units

You may have to select the CFX-TASCflow (*grd) option under Files of Type.

Note
The components must be ordered as above (stator then rotor) in order for the interface to be created
correctly. The order of the two components can be changed by right-clicking on S1 and selecting
Move Component Up.
When a component is defined, Turbo Mode will automatically select a list of regions that correspond to certain
boundary types. This information should be reviewed in the Region Information section to ensure that all is
correct. This information will be used to help set up boundary conditions and interfaces. The upper case turbo
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Physics Definition
regions that are selected (e.g., HUB) correspond to the region names in the CFX-TASCflow grd file.
CFX-TASCflow turbomachinery meshes use these names consistently.
6.

Click Passages and Alignment > Edit.

7.

Set Passages and Alignment > Passages/Mesh > Passages per Mesh to 2.

8.

Ensure that Passages and Alignment > Passages to Model is set to 2.

9.

Click Passages and Alignment > Done.

10. Click Next.

Physics Definition
In this section, you will set properties of the fluid domain and some solver parameters.
1.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Physics
Definition

Fluid

Air Ideal Gas

Analysis Type > Type

Steady State

Model Data > Reference Pressure

0.25 [atm]

Model Data > Heat Transfer

Total Energy

Model Data > Turbulence

k-Epsilon

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > P-Total Inlet Mass (Selected)

Flow Outlet
Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > P-Total

0 [atm]

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > T-Total

340 [K]

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > Mass Flow

Per Component

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > Mass Flow Rate

0.06 [kg s^-1]

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > Flow Direction

Normal to Boundary

Interface > Default Type

Frozen Rotor

Solver Parameters > Advection Scheme

High Resolution

Solver Parameters > Convergence Control

Physical Timescale

Solver Parameters > Physical Timescale

0.002 [s]a

This time scale is approximately equal to 1 / , which is often appropriate for rotating machinery applications.

2.

Click Next.

Interface Definition
CFX-Pre will try to create appropriate interfaces using the region names presented previously in the Region
Information section. In this case, you should see that a periodic interface has been generated for both the rotor and
the stator. These are required when modeling a small section of the true geometry. An interface is also required to
connect the two components together across the frame change.
1.

Review the various interfaces but do not change them.

2.

Click Next.

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Boundary Definition

Boundary Definition
CFX-Pre will try to create appropriate boundary conditions using the region names presented previously in the
Region Information section. In this case, you should see a list of boundary conditions that have been generated.
They can be edited or deleted in the same way as the interface connections that were set up earlier.
1.

Review the various boundary definitions but do not change them.

2.

Click Next.

Final Operations
1.

Set Operation to Enter General Mode.

2.

Click Finish.
After you click Finish, a dialog box appears stating that the Turbo report will not be included in the solver file
because you are entering General Mode.

3.

Click Yes to continue.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

AxialIni.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution to the Frozen Rotor Model

Compared to previous tutorials, the mesh for this tutorial contains many more nodes (although it is still too coarse
to perform a high quality CFD simulation). This results in a corresponding increase in solution time for the problem.
Solving this problem in parallel is recommended, if possible. Your machine should have a minimum of 256MB of
memory to run this tutorial.
More detailed information about setting up CFX to run in parallel is available. For details, see Flow Around a Blunt
Body (p. 95).
You can solve this example using Serial, Local Parallel or Distributed Parallel.

Obtaining a Solution in Serial (p. 199)

Obtaining a Solution With Local Parallel (p. 200)

Obtaining a Solution with Distributed Parallel (p. 200)

Obtaining a Solution in Serial

If you do not have a license to run CFX in parallel you can run in serial by clicking the Start Run button when
CFX-Solver Manager has opened up. Solution time in serial is approximately 45 minutes on a 1GHz processor.
1.

Click Start Run on the Define Run dialog box.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This may take a long time, depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.

2.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

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Obtaining a Solution With Local Parallel

3.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

4.

Click OK.

When you are finished, proceed to Viewing the Frozen Rotor Results in CFD-Post (p. 200).

Obtaining a Solution With Local Parallel

To run in local parallel, the machine you are on must have more than one processor.
1.

Set Run Mode to a parallel mode suitable for your environment; for example, HP MPI Local Parallel.

2.

If required, click Add Partition

to add more partitions.

By default, 2 partitions are assigned.

3.

Click Start Run.

4.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

5.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

6.

Click OK.

When you are finished, proceed to Viewing the Frozen Rotor Results in CFD-Post (p. 200).

Obtaining a Solution with Distributed Parallel

1.

Set Run Mode to a parallel mode suitable for your environment; for example, HP MPI Distributed
Parallel.
One partition should already be assigned to the host that you are logged into.

2.

Click Insert Host

to specify a new parallel host.

3.

In Select Parallel Hosts, select another host name (this should be a machine that you can log into using the
same user name).

4.

Click Add, and then Close.

The names of the two selected machines should be listed in the Host Name column of the Define Run dialog
box.

5.

Click Start Run.

6.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

7.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

8.

Click OK.

Viewing the Frozen Rotor Results in CFD-Post

The Turbo-Post feature will be demonstrated in the following sections. This feature is designed to greatly reduce
the effort taken to post-process turbomachinery simulations.Turbo Workspace (p. 185)

Initializing Turbo-Post
When initializing turbo components, span, a (axial), r (radial), and Theta coordinates are generated for each
component. Therefore, after entering the Turbo workspace and initializing the turbo components, you will be ready
to start using the turbo-specific features offered in the Turbo workspace immediately. These features include Turbo
Tree View, Turbo Surface, Turbo Line and Turbo Plots. For details see Turbo Workspace (p. 185)
To initialize Turbo-Post, the properties of each component must be set up. This includes information about the inlet,
outlet, hub, shroud, blade, and periodic regions. It also includes information about the number of instances of each
turbo component needed to represent the full geometry around the rotation axis, and the number of blade passages
in the mesh for each turbo component.
1.

Click the Turbo tab.

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Viewing Three Domain Passages

The Turbo Initialization dialog box is displayed, and asks you whether you want to auto-initialize all
components.

Note
If you do not see the Turbo Initialization dialog box, or as an alternative to using that dialog box,
you can initialize all components by clicking the Initialize All Components button which is visible
initially by default, or after double-clicking the Initialization object in the Turbo tree view.
2.

Click Yes.
In this case, the initialization works without problems. If there was a problem initializing a component, this
would likely be indicated in the tree view.

Viewing Three Domain Passages

Next, you will create an instancing transformation to plot three domain passages; three blade passages for the stator
and six blade passages for the rotor. It was chosen to create three times the geometry that was used in the simulation
to help visualize the variation of pressure. Seeing neighboring passages will give a better understanding of the
pressure variation through the axial rotor/stator.
The instancing properties of each domain have already been entered during Initialization. In the next steps, you will
create a surface group plot to color the blade and hub surfaces with the same variable.
1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Location > Surface Group.

2.

Click OK.
The default name is accepted.

3.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

R1 Blade, R1 Hub, S1 Blade, S1 Hub

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Pressure

4.

Click Apply.

5.

Click the Turbo tab.

6.

Open Plots > 3D View for editing.

7.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

3D View

Instancing > Domain

R1

Instancing > # of Copies

8.

Click Apply.

9.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

3D View

Instancing > Domain

S1

Instancing > # of Copies

10. Click Apply.

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Blade Loading Turbo Chart

11. Click the Outline tab.

Blade Loading Turbo Chart

In this section, you will create a plot of pressure around the stator blade at a given spanwise location.

In the Turbo tree view, double-click Blade Loading.

This profile of the pressure curve is typical for turbomachinery applications.
When you are finished viewing the chart, quit CFD-Post.

Setting up a Transient Rotor-Stator Calculation

This section describes the step-by-step definition of the flow physics in CFX-Pre. The existing steady-state
frozen-rotor simulation is modified to define the transient rotor-stator simulation. If you have not already completed
the frozen-rotor simulation, please refer to Defining a Frozen Rotor Case in CFX-Pre (p. 197) before proceeding
with the transient rotor-stator simulation.

Playing a Session File

If you want to set up the simulation automatically and continue to Obtaining a Solution to the Transient Rotor-Stator
Model (p. 204), run Axial.pre.

Note
The session file creates a new simulation named Axial.cfx and will not modify the existing database.
It also copies the required initial values file from the examples directory to the current working directory.

Opening the Existing Case

This step involves opening the original simulation and saving it to a different location.
1.

If CFX-Pre is not already running, start it.

2.

Open the results file named AxialIni_001.res.

3.

Save the case as Axial.cfx in your working directory.

Modifying the Physics Definition

You need to modify the domain to define a transient simulation. You are going to run for a time interval such that
the rotor blades pass through 1 pitch (6.372) using 10 time steps. This is generally too few time steps to obtain
high quality results, but is sufficient for tutorial purposes. The time step size is calculated as follows:

Note
Rotational Speed = 523.6 rad/s
Rotor Pitch Modeled = 2 ( 2 rad/ 113) 0.1112 rad
Time to pass through 1 pitch ( 0.1112 rad) / ( 523.6 rad/s ) 2.124 e 4 s
Since 10 time steps are used over this interval each time step should be 2.124e-5 s.
1.

Select Tools > Turbo Mode.

Basic Settings is displayed.

2.

Click Next.
Component Definition is displayed.

3.

Click Next.
Physics Definition is displayed.
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Setting Output Control

4.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Physics
Definition

Fluid

Air Ideal Gas

Analysis Type > Type

Transient

Analysis Type > Total Time

2.124e-4 [s]a

Analysis Type > Time Steps

2.124e-5 [s]b

Interface > Default Type

Transient Rotor Stator

This gives 10 timesteps of 2.124e-5 s

This timestep will be used until the total time is reached

Note
A transient rotor-stator calculation often runs through more than one pitch. In these cases, it may
be useful to look at variable data averaged over the time interval required to complete 1 pitch. You
can then compare data for each pitch rotation to see if a steady state has been achieved, or if the
flow is still developing.
5.

Click Next.
A warning message is displayed.

6.

Click Yes.
Interface Definition is displayed.

7.

Click Next.
Boundary Definition is displayed.

8.

Click Next.
Final Operations is displayed.

9.

Ensure that Operation is set to Enter General Mode.

10. Click Finish.

A message box notifies you that a turbo report will not be included in the solver file.
11. Click Yes to continue.
Initial values are required, but will be supplied later using a results file.

Setting Output Control

1.

Click Output Control

2.

Click the Trn Results tab.

3.

In the Transient Results tree view, click Add new item

click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings

, set Name to Transient Results 1, and

Option

Selected Variables

Output Variables Lista

Pressure, Velocity, Velocity in

Stn Frame

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Modifying Execution Control

Output Frequency > Option

Time Interval

Output Frequency > Time Interval

2.124e-5 [s]

Use the Ctrl key to select more than one variable.

5.

Click OK.

Modifying Execution Control

1.

Click Execution Control

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Run Definition

Solver Input File

Axial.defa

You do not need to set the path unless you are planning on saving the solver file somewhere other than the working directory.

3.

Confirm that the rest of the execution control settings are set appropriately.

4.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

A warning will appear, due to a lack of initial values.

Initial values are required, but will be supplied later using a results file.
2.

Click Yes.

3.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution to the Transient Rotor-Stator

Model
When the CFX-Solver Manager has started you will need to specify an initial values file before starting the
CFX-Solver.

Serial Solution
If you do not have a license, or do not want to run CFX in parallel, you can run it in serial. Solution time in serial
is similar to the first part of this tutorial.
1.

Select Run Definition > Initial Values Specification.

2.

Under Initial Values Specification > Initial Values, select Initial Values 1.

3.

Under Initial Values Specification > Initial Values > Initial Values 1 Settings > File Name, click Browse
.

4.

Select AxialIni_001.res from your working directory.

5.

Click Open.

6.

Under Initial Values Specification > Use Mesh From, select Solver Input File.

7.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.
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Parallel Solution
8.

When CFX-Solver is finished, select the check box next to Post-Process Results.

9.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

10. Click OK. Continue this tutorial from Monitoring the Run (p. 205).

Parallel Solution
Follow the first 6 steps of the serial procedure above (in Serial Solution (p. 204)), then perform the local parallel or
distributed parallel procedure from the first part of this tutorial (in Obtaining a Solution to the Frozen Rotor
Model (p. 199)).

Monitoring the Run

During the solution, look for the additional information that is provided for transient rotor-stator runs. Each time
the rotor is rotated to its next position, the number of degrees of rotation and the fraction of a pitch moved is given.
You should see that after 10 timesteps the rotor has been moved through 1 pitch.

Viewing the Transient Rotor-Stator Results in

CFD-Post
To examine the transient interaction between the rotor and stator, you are going to create a blade-to-blade animation
of pressure. A turbo surface will be used as the basis for this plot.

Initializing Turbo-Post
All the pre-processing will be done during the initialization of the turbo components. Only a few steps will therefore
be required to display a surface of constant span and to create a turbo surface later on in this tutorial.
1.

Click the Turbo tab.

The Turbo Initialization dialog box is displayed and asks you whether you want to auto-initialize all
components.

Note
If you do not see the Turbo Initialization dialog box, or as an alternative to using that dialog box,
you can initialize all components by clicking the Initialize All Components button which is visible
initially by default, or after double-clicking the Initialization object in the Turbo tree view.
2.

Click Yes.
Both components (domains) are now being initialized based on the automatically selected turbo regions. When
the process is complete, a green turbine icon appears next to each component entry in the list. Also, the viewer
displays a green background mesh for each initialized component.

3.

Double-click Component 1 (S1) and review the automatically-selected turbo regions and other data in
the details view.

4.

Double-click Component 2 (R1) and review the automatically-selected turbo regions and other data in
the details view (including the Passages/Com setting on the Instancing tab, which should have a value of 2).

Displaying a Surface of Constant Span

In the Turbo tree view, double-click Blade-to-Blade.

A surface of constant span appears, colored by pressure. This object can be edited and then redisplayed using
the details view.

Using Multiple Turbo Viewports

1.

In the Turbo tree view, double-click Initialization.

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Creating a Turbo Surface at Mid-Span

2.

Click Three Views.

Left view is 3D View, top right is Blade-to-Blade and bottom right is Meridional view.

3.

Click Single View.

Creating a Turbo Surface at Mid-Span

1.

Create a Turbo Surface by selecting Insert > Location > Turbo Surface from the drop down menu with a
Constant Span and value of 0.5.

2.

Under the Color tab select Variable and set it to Pressure with a user specified range of -10000 [Pa] to -7000
[Pa].

Setting up Instancing Transformations

Next, you will use instancing transformations to view a larger section of the model. The properties for each domain
have already been entered during the initialization phase, so only the number of instances needs to be set.
1.

In the Turbo tree view, double-click the 3D View object.

2.

In the Instancing section of the form, set # of Copies to 6 for R1.

3.

Click Apply.

4.

In the Instancing section of the form, set # of Copies to 6 for S1.

5.

Click Apply.

6.

Return to the Outline tab and ensure that the turbo surface is visible again.

Animating the movement of the Rotor relative to the Stator

Start by loading the first timestep:
1.

Click Timestep Selector

2.

Select time value 0.

3.

Click Apply to load the timestep. The rotor blades move to their starting position. This is exactly 1 pitch from
the previous position so the blades will not appear to move.

4.

Turn off the visibility of Wireframe.

5.

Position the geometry as shown below, ready for the animation. During the animation the rotor blades will
move to the right. Make sure you have at least two rotor blades out of view to the left side of the viewer. They
will come into view during the animation.

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Animating the movement of the Rotor relative to the Stator

6.

In the toolbar at the top of the window click Animation

7.

In the Animation dialog box, select the Keyframe Animation option.

8.

Click New

9.

Select KeyframeNo1, then set # of Frames to 9, then press Enter while in the # of Frames box.

to create KeyFrameNo1.

Tip
Be sure to press Enter and confirm that the new number appears in the list before continuing.
10. Use the Timestep Selector to load the final timestep.
11. In the Animation dialog box, click New
12. Click More Animation Options

to create KeyframeNo2.

to expand the Animation dialog box.

13. Click Options and set Transient Case to TimeValue Interpolation. Click OK.
The animation now contains a total of 11 frames (9 intermediate frames plus the two Keyframes), one for each
of the available time values.
14. In the expanded Animation dialog box, select Save Movie.
15. Set Format to MPEG1.
16. Click Browse

, next to the Save Movie box and then set the file name to an appropriate file name.

17. If frame 1 is not loaded (shown in the F: text box at the bottom of the Animation dialog box), click To Beginning
to load it.
Wait for CFD-Post to finish loading the objects for this frame before proceeding.
18. Click Play the animation

It takes a while for the animation to complete.

To view the movie file, you will need to use a media player that supports the MPEG format.

You will be able to see from the animation, and from the plots created previously, that the flow is not continuous
across the interface. This is because a pitch change occurs. The relatively coarse mesh and the small number
of timesteps used in the transient simulation also contribute to this. The movie was created with a narrow
pressure range compared to the global range which exaggerates the differences across the interface.
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Further Postprocessing

Further Postprocessing
You can produce a report for the turbine as follows:
1.

Click File > Report > Report Templates.

2.

In the Report Templates dialog box, select Turbine Report, then click Load.
The report will be generated automatically.

3.

Click the Report Viewer tab (located below the viewer window).
A report appears.

Note that a valid report depends on valid turbo initialization.

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Chapter 15. Reacting Flow in a Mixing Tube

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 209)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 210)

Modeling Approach (p. 211)

Before You Begin (p. 212)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 212)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 212)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 227)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 228)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Creating and using a multicomponent fluid in CFX-Pre.

Using CEL to model a reaction in CFX-Pre.

Using an algebraic Additional Variable to model a scalar distribution.

Using a subdomain as the basis for component sources.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

Variable Composition Mixture

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Thermal Energy

Particle Tracking

Component Source

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Symmetry Plane
Wall: Adiabatic

Additional Variables
CEL (CFX Expression Language)

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Plots

Isosurface
Slice Plane

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209

Overview of the Problem to Solve

Overview of the Problem to Solve

Reaction engineering is one of the core components in the chemical industry. Optimizing reactor design leads to
higher yields, lower costs and, as a result, higher profit.
This example demonstrates the capability of ANSYS CFX to model basic reacting flows using a multicomponent
fluid and CEL expressions.

The geometry consists of a mixing tube with three rings with twelve holes in each ring.
The main inlet has water entering at 2 m/s with a temperature of 300 K. The pressure at the outlet is 1 atm.
Through the ring of holes nearest the inlet, a solution of dilute sulfuric acid enters at 2 m/s with a temperature of
300 K. Through each of the two other rings of holes, a solution of dilute sodium hydroxide enters at 2.923 m/s with
a temperature of 300 K. The properties of the solution of sulfuric acid are shown in Table 15.1, Properties of the
Dilute Sulfuric Acid Solution (p. 210):.

Table 15.1. Properties of the Dilute Sulfuric Acid Solution

Property

Value

Molar mass

19.517 kg kmol^-1

Density

1078 kg m^-3

Specific heat capacity

4190 J kg^-1 K^-1

Dynamic Viscosity

0.001 kg m^-1 s^-1

Thermal Conductivity

0.6 W m^-1 K^-1

Through the remaining two rings of holes, a solution of dilute sodium hydroxide (an alkali) enters with a temperature
of 300K. The properties of the solution of sodium hydroxide are shown in Table 15.2, Properties of the Dilute
Sodium Hydroxide Solution (p. 211).

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Modeling Approach

Table 15.2. Properties of the Dilute Sodium Hydroxide Solution

Property

Value

Molar mass

18.292 kg kmol^-1

Density

1029 kg m^-3

Specific heat capacity

4190 J kg^-1 K^-1

Dynamic Viscosity

0.001 kg m^-1 s^-1

Thermal Conductivity

0.6 W m^-1 K^-1

The acid and alkali undergo an exothermic reaction to form a solution of sodium sulfate (a type of salt) and water
according to the reaction:

H2SO4 + 2NaOH Na 2SO4 + 2H2O

Mixing the acid and alkali solutions in a stoichiometric ratio (and allowing them to react completely) would result
in a salt water solution that would include water from each of the original solutions plus water produced during the
reaction. The properties of this salt water product are shown in Table 15.3, Properties of the Salt Water
Product (p. 211).

Table 15.3. Properties of the Salt Water Product

Setting

Value

Molar mass

18.600 kg kmol^-1

Density

1031 kg m^-3

Specific heat capacity

4190 J kg^-1 K^-1

Dynamic Viscosity

0.001 kg m^-1 s^-1

Thermal Conductivity

0.6 W m^-1 K^-1

The heat of reaction is 460 kJ per kg of dilute acid solution.

The flow is assumed to be fully turbulent and turbulence is assumed to have a significant effect on the reaction rate.
After running the simulation, you will plot the distribution of pH in the tube, and determine the extent to which the
pH is neutralized at the outlet. You will also plot mass fraction distributions of acid, alkali and product.

Modeling Approach
In order to reduce memory requirements and solution time, only a 30 slice of the geometry will be modeled, and
symmetry boundary conditions will be applied to represent the remaining geometry.
The reaction between acid and alkali is represented as a single-step irreversible liquid-phase reaction:

A+BC
Reagent A (dilute sulfuric acid) is injected through a ring of holes near the start of the tube. As it flows along the
tube it reacts with Reagent B (dilute sodium hydroxide) which is injected through a further two rings of holes
downstream. The product, C, remains in solution.

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Before You Begin

You will create a variable-composition mixture1 that contains water, the reactants, and the product. To model the
reaction, you will use CEL expressions to govern the mass sources for the acid, alkali and product components.
You will also use CEL expressions to govern the thermal energy source. Providing mass and energy sources over
a volume requires a subdomain. Because the reaction may occur anywhere in the domain, you will create a subdomain
that occupies the entire flow domain.
To model the pH, you will create an algebraic Additional Variable that is governed by a CEL expression for pH.
The Additional Variable will be available in the solution results for analysis during post-processing.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

Reactor.pre

ReactorExpressions.ccl

ReactorMesh.gtm

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run Reactor.pre. For details, see
Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 227).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type Reactor.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > CFX Mesh.

The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

File name

ReactorMesh.gtm

You can also model this type of reaction using a reacting mixture as your fluid. There is a tutorial that uses a reacting mixture: Combustion and Radiation in
a Can Combustor (p. 293).

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Creating a Multicomponent Fluid

3.

Click Open.

Creating a Multicomponent Fluid

In addition to providing template fluids, CFX allows you to create custom fluids for use in all your CFX models.
A custom fluid may be defined as a pure substance, but may also be defined as a mixture, consisting of a number
of transported fluid components. This type of fluid model is useful for applications involving mixtures, reactions,
and combustion.
In order to define custom fluids, CFX-Pre provides the Material details view. This tool allows you to define your
own fluids as pure substances, fixed composition mixtures or variable composition mixtures using a range of template
property sets defined for common materials.
The mixing tube application requires a fluid made up from four separate materials (or components). The components
are the reactants and products of a simple chemical reaction together with a neutral carrier liquid. You are first going
to define the materials that take part in the reaction (acid, alkali and product) as pure substances. The neutral carrier
liquid is water, and is already defined. Finally, you will create a variable composition mixture consisting of these
four materials. This is the fluid that you will use in your simulation. A variable composition mixture (as opposed
to a fixed composition mixture) is required because the proportion of each component will change throughout the
simulation due to the reaction.

Acid Properties
The properties of the dilute sulfuric acid solution were stated in the problem description.
1.

Create a new material named acid.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Option

Pure Substance

Thermodynamic State

(Selected)

Thermodynamic State > Thermodynamic State

Liquid

Option

General Material

Material Properties

Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State > Value

Option
Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State > 19.517 [kg kmol^-1]a
Molar Mass
Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State > 1078 [kg m^-3]
Density
Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat
Capacity

(Selected)

Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat

Capacity > Option

Value

Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat

Capacity > Specific Heat Capacity

4190 [J kg^-1 K^-1]

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity

(Selected)

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity > Option Value

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity >
Dynamic Viscosity

0.001 [kg m^-1 s^-1]

Transport Properties > Thermal Conductivity

(Selected)

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Creating a Multicomponent Fluid

Tab

Setting

Value

Transport Properties > Thermal Conductivity >

Option

Value

Transport Properties > Thermal Conductivity >

Thermal Conductivity

0.6 [W m^-1 K^-1]

The Molar Masses for the three materials do not affect the solution except through the post-processed variables Molar Concentration and
Molar Fraction.

3.

Click OK.

Alkali Properties
The properties of the dilute sodium hydroxide solution were stated in the problem description.
1.

Create a new material named alkali.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Option

Pure Substance

Thermodynamic State

(Selected)

Thermodynamic State > Thermodynamic State

Liquid

Option

General Material

Material Properties

Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State > Value

Option
Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State > 18.292 [kg kmol^-1]
Molar Mass
Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State > 1029 [kg m^-3]
Density
Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat
Capacity

(Selected)

Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat

Capacity > Option

Value

Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat

Capacity > Specific Heat Capacity

4190 [J kg^-1 K^-1]

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity

(Selected)

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity > Option Value

3.

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity >

Dynamic Viscosity

0.001 [kg m^-1 s^-1]

Transport Properties > Thermal Conductivity

(Selected)

Transport Properties > Thermal Conductivity >

Option

Value

Transport Properties > Thermal Conductivity >

Thermal Conductivity

0.6 [W m^-1 K^-1]

Click OK.
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Creating a Multicomponent Fluid

Reaction Product Properties

The properties of the salt water product were stated in the problem description.
1.

Create a new material named product.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Option

Pure Substance

Thermodynamic State

(Selected)

Thermodynamic State > Thermodynamic State

Liquid

Option

General Material

Material Properties

Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State > Value

Option
Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State > 18.600 [kg kmol^-1]
Molar Mass
Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State > 1031 [kg m^-3]
Density
Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat
Capacity

(Selected)

Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat

Capacity > Option

Value

Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat

Capacity > Specific Heat Capacity

4190 [J kg^-1 K^-1]

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity

(Selected)

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity > Option Value

3.

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity >

Dynamic Viscosity

0.001 [kg m^-1 s^-1]

Transport Properties > Thermal Conductivity

(Selected)

Transport Properties > Thermal Conductivity >

Option

Value

Transport Properties > Thermal Conductivity >

Thermal Conductivity

0.6 [W m^-1 K^-1]

Click OK.

Fluid Properties
Define a variable composition mixture by combining water with the three materials you have defined: acid,
alkali, product.
1.

Create a new material named mixture.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Option

Variable Composition Mixture

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Creating an Additional Variable to Model pH

Tab

Setting

Value

Material Group

User, Water Data

Materials List

Water, acid, alkali, product

Thermodynamic State

(Selected)

Thermodynamic State > Thermodynamic Liquid

State
3.

Click OK.

Creating an Additional Variable to Model pH

You are going to use an Additional Variable to model the distribution of pH in the mixing tube. You can create
Additional Variables and use them in selected fluids in your domain.
1.

Create a new Additional Variable named MixturePH.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Variable Type

Specific

Units

[kg kg^-1]

Tensor Type

Scalar

Click OK.

This Additional Variable is now available for use when you create or modify a domain. You will set other properties
of the Additional Variable, including how it is calculated, when you apply it to the domain later in this tutorial.

Formulating the Reaction and pH as Expressions

This section includes:

Stoichiometric Ratio (p. 216)

Reaction Source Terms (p. 218)

Calculating pH (p. 219)

Loading the Expressions to Model the Reaction and pH (p. 220)

The first section shows a derivation for the mass-based stoichiometric ratio of alkali solution to acid solution. This
ratio is used for calculating various quantities throughout this tutorial.
The second subsection (Reaction Source Terms (p. 218)) shows you how reactions and reaction kinetics can be
formulated using the Eddy Break Up (EBU) model.
The third subsection (Calculating pH (p. 219)), shows you how pH is calculated.
In the fourth subsection (Loading the Expressions to Model the Reaction and pH (p. 220)) you will use a provided
file to load CEL expressions for the reaction source terms and the pH.

Stoichiometric Ratio
The mass-based stoichiometric ratio of alkali solution to acid solution is a quantity that is used in several calculations
in this tutorial. It represents the mass ratio of alkali solution to acid solution which leads to complete reaction with
no excess alkali or acid (that is, neutral pH). This section of the tutorial shows you how to calculate the stoichiometric
ratio, and introduces other quantities that are used in this tutorial.
The alkali solution contains water and sodium hydroxide. In the alkali solution, it is assumed that the sodium
hydroxide molecules completely dissociate into ions according to the following reaction:
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Formulating the Reaction and pH as Expressions

NaOH Na + + OH
The acid solution contains water and sulfuric acid. In the acid solution, it is assumed that the sulfuric acid molecules
completely dissociate into ions according to the following reaction:

H2SO4 2H + + SO4 2
The Na

ions and SO4

ions react to form sodium sulfate (a type of salt) and water according to the reaction:

2Na + + 2OH + 2H + + SO4 2 Na 2SO4 + 2H2O

Note that this reaction requires the ions from two molecules of sodium hydroxide and the ions from one molecule
of sulfuric acid. The stoichiometric ratio for the dry alkali and acid molecules is 2-to-1.
Instead of modeling dry molecules of alkali and acid, this tutorial models solutions that contain these molecules (in
dissociated form) plus water. The calculations used to model the alkali-acid reactions, and to measure the pH, require
a mass-based stoichiometric ratio, i, that expresses the mass ratio between the alkali solution and the acid solution
required for complete reaction of all of the (dissociated) alkali and acid molecules within them.
Using X

to denote SO4

and Y

to denote Na , the ratio i can be computed as the ratio of the following two

masses:

The mass of alkali solution required to contain 2 kmol of Y

The mass of acid solution required to contain 1 kmol of X

A formula for calculating i is:

i=

2 kmol Y +
kmol Y + / kg

1 kmol X 2

2
kmol X / kg

(Eq. 15.1)

where:

is the concentration of NaOH in kmol/kg solution (equal to the concentration of Y + in kmol/kg solution).

is the concentration of H2SO4 in kmol/kg solution (equal to the concentration of X 2 in kmol/kg solution).

The molar mass of the alkali solution (given as 18.292 kg/kmol solution) is a weighted average of the molar masses
of water (18.015 kg/kmol) and dry sodium hydroxide (39.9971 kg/kmol), with the weighting in proportion to the
number of each type of molecule in the solution. You can compute the fraction of the molecules in the solution that
are sodium hydroxide as:

NaOH fraction =
=

molar mass alkali solution molar mass H 2O

molar mass NaOH molar mass H 2O

18.292 kg/kmol 18.015 kg/kmol

39.9971 kg/kmol 18.015 kg/kmol

= 0.012601 kmol NaOH/kmol solution

can then be calculated as follows:

0.012601 kmol NaOH/kmol solution

18.292 kg solution/kmol solution

= 0.689E-3 kmol NaOH/kg solution

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Formulating the Reaction and pH as Expressions

The molar mass of the acid solution (given as 19.517 kg/kmol solution) is a weighted average of the molar masses
of water (18.015 kg/kmol) and dry sulfuric acid (98.07848 kg/kmol), with the weighting in proportion to the number
of each type of molecule in the solution. You can compute the fraction of the molecules in the solution that are
sulfuric acid as:

H2SO4 fraction =
=

molar mass acid solution molar mass H 2O

molar mass H 2SO 4 molar mass H 2O

19.517 kg/kmol 18.015 kg/kmol

98.07848 kg/kmol 18.015 kg/kmol

= 0.01876 kmol H2SO4/kmol solution

can then be calculated as follows:

0.01876 kmol H 2SO 4/kmol solution

19.517 kg solution/kmol solution

= 0.961E-3 kmol H2SO4/kg solution

Substituting the values for and into Equation 15.1 (p. 217) yields the mass-based stoichiometric ratio of alkali
solution to acid solution: i = 2.79.

Reaction Source Terms

The reaction and reaction rate are modeled using a basic Eddy Break Up formulation for the component and energy
sources. For example, the transport equation for the mass fraction of acid solution is:

( m f acid ) + ( U m f acid ) ( DA m f acid )

= 4

(Eq. 15.2)

mf

min m f acid, alkali

i

where t is time, U is velocity, is the local density of the variable composition mixture, m f acid is the mass fraction
of the acid solution in the mixture, DA is the kinematic diffusivity of the acid solution through the mixture, and i
is the stoichiometric ratio of alkali solution to acid solution based on mass fraction. The right-hand side represents
the mass source term that is applied to the transport equation for the acid solution. The left-hand side consists of
the transient, advection and diffusion terms.
In addition to specifying the sources for the acid solution and alkali solution, source coefficients will also be used
in order to enhance solution convergence. For details, see the technical note at the end of this section.
The reaction rate is computed as:

Reaction Rate =

4
k

where k is the turbulence kinetic energy, and is the turbulence eddy dissipation. Note that the reaction rate appears
on the right-hand side of Equation 15.2 (p. 218). The reaction rate is also used to govern the rate of thermal energy
production according to the relation:

Heat Source = Heat of Reaction 4

mf

min m f acid, alkali

i

From the problem description, the heat of reaction is 460 kJ per kg of acid solution.

Note
This is a technical note, for reference only.
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Formulating the Reaction and pH as Expressions

A source is fully specified by an expression for its value S .
A source coefficient C is optional, but can be specified to provide convergence enhancement or stability
for strongly-varying sources. The value of C may affect the rate of convergence but should not affect
the converged results.
If no suitable value is available for C , the solution time scale or time step can still be reduced to help
improve convergence of difficult source terms.

Important
C must never be positive.
An optimal value for C when solving an individual equation for a positive variable with a source S
whose strength decreases with increasing is

C=

Where this derivative cannot be computed easily,

C=

may be sufficient to ensure convergence. (This is the form used for the acid solution and alkali solution
mass source coefficients in this tutorial.)
Another useful formula for C is

C=

where is a local estimate for the source time scale. Provided that the source time scale is not excessively
short compared to flow or mixing time scales, this may be a useful approach for controlling sources with
positive feedback ( S > 0) or sources that do not depend directly on the solved variable .

Calculating pH
+

The pH (or acidity) of the mixture is a function of the volume-based concentration of H ions. The latter can be
computed using the following two equations, which are based on charge conservation and equilibrium conditions,
respectively:

H + + Y + = 2 X 2 + OH

H + OH = KW

(where KW is the constant for the self-ionization of water (1.0E-14 kmol2 m-6)).
You can substitute one equation into the other to obtain the following quadratic equation:

+ + +
2
H H + Y 2 X = KW

which can be rearranged into standard quadratic form as:

2

[ H + ] + Y + 2 X 2 H + KW = 0

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Formulating the Reaction and pH as Expressions

+

The quadratic equation can be solved for [ H ] using the equation [ H

]=

b + max[ ( b 2 4ac ), 0]
where a = 1,
2a

b = Y + 2 X 2 and c = KW.

The volume-based concentrations of X

and Y

are required to calculate b, and can be calculated from the mass

fractions of the components using the following expressions:

mf
X 2 = m f + prod

acid
1 + i

i m f prod

[ Y + ] = m f alkali +
1 + i

where:

[ X 2 ] is the concentration of X 2 in kmol/m^3.

[ Y + ] is the concentration of Y + in kmol/m^3.

is the concentration of H2SO4 in kmol/kg solution (equal to the concentration of X 2 in kmol/kg solution).

is the concentration of NaOH in kmol/kg solution (equal to the concentration of Y + in kmol/kg solution).

is the local density of the variable composition mixture.

i is the mass-based stoichiometric ratio of alkali solution to acid solution.

Note that the second expression above can be re-written by substituting for using Equation 15.1 (p. 217). The
result is:

mf
[ Y + ] = 2 alkali +
i

m f prod
1+ i

After solving for the concentration of H

ions, the pH can be computed as:

pH = log10 [ H + ]
In order to set a limit on pH for calculation purposes, the following relation will be used in this tutorial:

pH = log10 max H + , 10 15

Loading the Expressions to Model the Reaction and pH

Load the expressions required to model the reaction sources and pH:
1.

Select File > Import > CCL.

2.

Ensure that Import Method is set to Append.

3.

Select ReactorExpressions.ccl, which should be in your working directory.

4.

Click Open.

Observe the expressions listed in the tree view of CFX-Pre. Some expressions are used to support other expressions.
The main expressions are:
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Creating the Domain

Expression Name

Description

Supporting Expressions

pH

The pH of the mixture.

Hions, a, b, c, Yions, Xions,

alpha, i

HeatSource

The thermal energy released from the

reaction.

HeatReaction, Rate

AcidSource

The rate of production of acid due to the Rate

reaction (always negative or zero).

AcidSourceCoeff

The source coefficient for AcidSource (to AcidSource

enhance convergence).

AlkaliSource

The rate of production of alkali due to the Rate

reaction (always negative or zero).

AlkaliSourceCoeff

The source coefficient for AlkaliSource

(to enhance convergence).

ProductSource

The rate of production of salt water product Rate

(always positive or zero).

AlkaliSource

Note that the expressions do not refer to a particular fluid since there is only a single fluid (which happens to be a
multicomponent fluid). In a multiphase simulation you must prefix variables with a fluid name, for example
Mixture.acid.mf instead of acid.mf.

Creating the Domain

In this section, you will create a fluid domain that contains the variable composition mixture and the Additional
Variable that you created earlier. The Additional Variable will be set up as an algebraic equation with values
calculated from the CEL expression for pH.
1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned on.
A domain named Default Domain should now appear under the Simulation branch.

2.

Double-click Default Domain. Under the Fluid and Particle Definitions setting, delete Fluid 1 and
create a new fluid definition called Mixture.
Apply the following settings:
Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

B1.P3

Location and Type > Domain Type

Fluid Domain

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Mixture

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Mixture > Material

mixture

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure

1 [atm]

Heat Transfer > Option

Thermal Energy

Component Models > Component

acid

Component Models > Component > acid > Option

Transport Equation

Fluid Models

Component Models > Component > acid > Kinematic (Selected)

Diffusivity

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Creating a Subdomain to Model the Chemical Reactions

Tab

Setting

Value

Component Models > Component > acid > Kinematic 0.001 [m^2 s^-1]
Diffusivity > Kinematic Diffusivity
3.

Use the same Option and Kinematic Diffusivity settings for alkali and product as you have just set for
acid.

4.

For Water, set Option to Constraint as follows:

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Models

Component Models > Component

Water

Component Models > Component > Water > Option

Constraint

One component must always use Constraint. This is the component used to balance the mass fraction
equation; the sum of the mass fractions of all components of a fluid must equal unity.
5.

Apply the following settings to apply the Additional Variable that you created earlier:
Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Models

Additional Variable Models > Additional (Selected)

Variable > MixturePH
Additional Variable Models > Additional Algebraic Equation
Variable > MixturePH > Option
a
Additional Variable Models > Additional pH
Variable > MixturePH > Add. Var.
Value

The other possible options either involve a transport equation to transport the Additional Variable in the flow field, or a Vector Algebraic
Equation, which is for vector quantities. The Algebraic Equation is suitable because it allows the calculation of pH as a function of existing
variables and expressions.

6.

Click OK.

Creating a Subdomain to Model the Chemical Reactions

To provide the correct modeling for the chemical reaction you need to define mass fraction sources for the fluid
components acid, alkali, and product. To do this, you need to create a subdomain where the relevant sources
can be specified. In this case, sources need to be provided within the entire domain of the mixing tube since the
reaction occurs throughout the domain.
1.

Ensure that you have loaded the CEL expressions from the provided file.
The expressions should be listed in the tree view.

2.

Create a new subdomain named sources.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location

B1.P3a

Sources

Sources

(Selected)

Sources > Equation Sources

acid.mf

Sources > Equation Sources > acid.mf

(Selected)

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Creating the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Setting

Value

Sources > Equation Sources > acid.mf > Option

Source

Sources > Equation Sources > acid.mf > Source

AcidSource

Sources > Equation Sources > acid.mf > Source Coefficient (Selected)
Sources > Equation Sources > acid.mf > Source Coefficient AcidSourceCoeff
> Source Coefficient
Sources > Equation Sources

alkali.mf

Sources > Equation Sources > alkali.mf

(Selected)

Sources > Equation Sources > alkali.mf > Option

Source

Sources > Equation Sources > alkali.mf > Source

AlkaliSource

Sources > Equation Sources > alkali.mf > Source

Coefficient

(Selected)

Sources > Equation Sources > alkali.mf > Source

Coefficient > Source Coefficient

AlkaliSourceCoeff

Sources > Equation Sources

Energy

Sources > Equation Sources > Energy

(Selected)

Sources > Equation Sources > Energy > Option

Source

Sources > Equation Sources > Energy > Source

HeatSource

Sources > Equation Sources

product.mf

Sources > Equation Sources > product.mf

(Selected)

Sources > Equation Sources > product.mf > Option

Source

Sources > Equation Sources > product.mf > Source

ProductSource

Sources > Equation Sources > product.mf > Source

Coefficient

(Selected)

Sources > Equation Sources > product.mf > Source

Coefficient > Source Coefficient

0 [kg m^-3 s^-1]

This is the 3D region that fills the domain.

4.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundary Conditions

Add boundary conditions for all boundaries except the mixing tube wall; the latter will receive the default wall
condition. Many of the required settings were given in the problem description. Since the fluid in the domain is a
multicomponent fluid, you can control which component enters at each inlet by setting mass fractions appropriately.
Note that water is the constraint material; its mass fraction is computed as unity minus the sum of the mass fractions
of the other components.

Water Inlet Boundary

Create a boundary for the water inlet using the given information:
1.

Create a new boundary named InWater.

2.

Apply the following settings:

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Creating the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

InWater

Mass and Momentum > Option

Normal Speed

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed

2 [m s^-1]

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

300 [K]

Boundary Details

3.

Leave mass fractions for all components set to zero. Since Water is the constraint fluid, it will be automatically
given a mass fraction of 1 on this inlet.

4.

Click OK.

Acid Inlet Boundary

Create a boundary for the acid solution inlet hole using the given information:
1.

Create a new boundary named InAcid.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

InAcid

Mass and Momentum > Option

Normal Speed

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed

2 [m s^-1]

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

300 [K]

Component Details

acid

Component Details > acid > Mass Fraction

1.0

Component Details

alkali

Component Details > alkali > Mass Fraction

Component Details

product

Component Details > product > Mass Fraction

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Alkali Inlet Boundary

Create a boundary for the alkali solution inlet holes using the given information:
1.

Create a new boundary named InAlkali.

2.

Apply the following settings:

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Creating the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

InAlkali

Mass and Momentum > Option

Normal Speed

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed

2.923 [m s^-1]

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

300 [K]

Component Details > acid

(Selected)

Component Details > acid > Mass Fraction

Component Details > alkali

(Selected)

Component Details > alkali > Mass Fraction

Component Details > product

(Selected)

Component Details > product > Mass Fraction

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Outlet Boundary
Create a subsonic outlet at 1 atm (which is the reference pressure that was set in the domain definition):
1.

Create a new boundary named out.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

out

Mass and Momentum > Option

Static Pressure

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Symmetry Boundary
The geometry models a 30 slice of the full geometry. Create two symmetry boundaries, one for each side of the
geometry, so that the simulation models the entire geometry.
1.

Create a new boundary named sym1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

sym1

Click OK.

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Setting Initial Values

4.

Create a new boundary named sym2.

5.

Apply the following settings:

6.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

sym2

Click OK.

Note that, in this case, a periodic interface can be used as an alternative to the symmetry boundary conditions.

Default Wall Boundary

The default adiabatic wall boundary applies automatically to the remaining unspecified boundary, which is the
mixer wall. The default boundary is a smooth, no-slip, adiabatic wall.

Setting Initial Values

The values for acid, alkali, and product will be initialized to 0. Since Water is the constrained component,
it will make up the remaining mass fraction which, in this case, is 1.
Since the inlet velocity is 2 m/s, a reasonable guess for the initial velocity is 2 m/s.
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Global
Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > Option Automatic with Value
Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > U

2 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > V

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > W

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Component Details

acid

Initial Conditions > Component Details > acid > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Component Details > acid > Mass

Fraction

Initial Conditions > Component Details

alkali

Initial Conditions > Component Details > alkali > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Component Details > alkali > Mass

Fraction

Initial Conditions > Component Details

product

Initial Conditions > Component Details > product > Option Automatic with Value
Initial Conditions > Component Details > product > Mass
Fraction
3.

Click OK.

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Setting Solver Control

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Advection Scheme > Option

High Resolution

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

50

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Physical Timescale

0.01 [s]a

a
The length of mixing tube is 0.06 m and inlet velocity is 2 m/s. An estimate of the dynamic time scale is 0.03 s. An appropriate time step
would be 1/4 to 1/2 of this value.

3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

Reactor.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

When CFX-Solver Manager has started, obtain a solution to the CFD problem as follows:
1.

Ensure Define Run is displayed.

2.

Select Show Advanced Controls. On the Solver tab, select Executable Settings > Double Precision Override
> Double Precision.
This provides the precision required to evaluate the expression for pH.

3.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This may take a long time, depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.

4.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

5.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

6.

Click OK.

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

To see the nature and extent of the reaction process, examine the pH, the mass fractions, and turbulence quantities
on a plane as follows:
1.

Create an XY slice plane through Z = 0.

2.

Turn off the visibility of the plane you just created.

3.

Create contour plots of the following variables on that plane:

4.

MixturePH

acid.Mass Fraction

alkali.Mass Fraction

product.Mass Fraction

Turbulence Kinetic Energy

Turbulence Eddy Dissipation

Create an expression for Turbulence Eddy Dissipation/Turbulence Kinetic Energy and

create a contour plot using that expression. This quantity is an indicator of the reaction rate it represents 1
/ mixing timescale.

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Chapter 16. Conjugate Heat Transfer in a

Heating Coil
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 229)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 230)

Before You Begin (p. 230)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 231)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 231)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 236)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 236)

Exporting the Results to ANSYS (p. 239)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Creating and using a solid domain as a heating coil in CFX-Pre.

Creating a domain interface.

Modeling conjugate heat transfer in CFX-Pre.

Using electricity to power a heat source.

Plotting temperature on a cylindrical locator in CFD-Post.

Lighting in CFD-Post.

Exporting thermal and mechanical data to be used with ANSYS Multi-field solver.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Multiple Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Thermal Energy

Conjugate Heat Transfer

Electrical Resistance Heating
Boundary Conditions

Electrical Heating Coil

Inlet (Subsonic)
Opening
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Adiabatic

CEL (CFX Expression Language)

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details

CFD-Post

Plots

Cylinder
Default Locators
Contour
Isosurface

Other

Changing the Color Range

Expression Details View
Lighting Adjustment
Variable Details View

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This example demonstrates the capability of ANSYS CFX in modeling conjugate heat transfer. In this example, a
simple heat exchanger is used to model the transfer of thermal energy from an electrically-heated solid copper coil
to the water flowing around it.
The model contains a fluid domain for the water and a solid domain for the coil. The fluid domain is an annular
region that envelops the coil, and has water flowing through it at a constant rate. The copper coil has a 4.4 V
difference in electric potential from one end to the other end. Assume that the copper has a uniform electrical
conductivity of 59.6E+06 S/m and that there is a 1 mm thick calcium carbonate deposit (calcite) on the heating coil.

This tutorial also includes an optional step that demonstrates the use of the CFX to ANSYS Data Transfer tool to
export thermal and mechanical stress data for use with ANSYS Multi-field solver. A results file is provided in case
you want to skip the model creation and solution steps within ANSYS CFX.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

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Starting CFX-Pre

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

HeatingCoil.pre

HeatingCoil_001.res

HeatingCoilMesh.gtm

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run HeatingCoil.pre. For details,
see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 236).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type HeatingCoil.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain and
Automatic Default Interfaces are turned off.
Default Domain generation should be turned off because you will create the fluid and solid domains and
interfaces manually later in this tutorial.

2.

Click OK.

3.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > CFX Mesh. The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

4.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

File name

HeatingCoilMesh.gtm

5.

Click Open.

6.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up) from the
shortcut menu.

Editing the Material Properties

1.

Expand Materials from the tree view and double-click Copper.

2.

Apply the following settings to Copper:

Tab

Setting

Value

Material
Properties

Electromagnetic Properties > Electrical Conductivity

(Selected)

Electromagnetic Properties > Electrical Conductivity >

Electrical Conductivity

59.6E+06 [S m^-1]

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Defining the Calcium Carbonate Deposit Material

3.

Click OK.

Defining the Calcium Carbonate Deposit Material

Create a new material definition that will be used to model the calcium carbonate deposit on the heating coil:
1.

Click Insert Material

then create a new material named Calcium Carbonate.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Material Group

User

Thermodynamic State

(Selected)

Thermodynamic State > Thermodynamic State Solid

Material Properties

Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State 100.087 [kg kmol^-1]

> Molar Mass
Thermodynamic Properties > Equation of State 2.71 [g cm^-3]
> Density
Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat
Capacity

(Selected)

Thermodynamic Properties > Specific Heat

Capacity > Specific Heat Capacity

0.9 [J g^-1 K^-1]

Transport Properties > Thermal Conductivity (Selected)

Transport Properties > Thermal Conductivity 3.85 [W m^-1 K^-1]
> Thermal Conductivity
3.

Click OK.

Creating the Domains

This simulation requires both a fluid domain and a solid domain. First, you will create a fluid domain for the annular
region of the heat exchanger.

Creating a Fluid Domain

The fluid domain will include the region of fluid flow but exclude the solid copper heater coil.
1.

Ensure that Flow Analysis 1 > Default Domain is deleted. If not, right-click Default Domain
and select Delete.

2.

Click Domain

3.

Apply the following settings to FluidZone

and set the name to FluidZone.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

B1.P3a

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 >

Material

Water

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure 1 [atm]

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Creating the Boundaries

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Models

Heat Transfer > Option

Thermal Energy

Initialization

Domain Initialization

(Selected)

This region name may be different depending on how the mesh was created. You should pick the region that forms the exterior surface
of the volume surrounding the coil.

4.

Click OK.

Creating a Solid Domain

Because you know that the copper heating element will be much hotter than the fluid, you can initialize the
temperature to a reasonable value. The initialization option that is set when creating a domain applies only to that
domain.
Create the solid domain as follows:
1.

Create a new domain named SolidZone.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

B2.P3

Location and Type > Domain Type

Solid Domain

Solid Definitions

Solid 1

Solid Definitions> Solid 1 > Solid 1 > Material

Copper

Heat Transfer > Option

Thermal Energy

Electromagnetic Model

(Selected)

Solid Models

Electromagnetic Model > Electric Field Model > Option Electric Potential
Initialization

Domain Initialization

(Selected)

Domain Initialization > Initial Conditions > Temperature Automatic with Value
> Option
Domain Initialization > Initial Conditions > Temperature 550 [K]
> Temperature
3.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

Heating Coil Boundaries
In order to pass electricity through the heating coil, specify 0 V at one end and 4.4 V at the other end:
1.

Create a new boundary named Ground in the domain SolidZone.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

F11.B2.P3a

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Creating the Boundaries

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Electric Field > Option

Voltage

Electric Field > Voltage

0 [V]

This region name may be different depending on how the mesh was created. You should pick one end of the heating coil.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Create a similar boundary named Hot at the other end of the coil, region F12.B2.P3, and apply 4.4 V.

Inlet Boundary
You will now create an inlet boundary for the cooling fluid (Water).
1.

Create a new boundary named inflow in the domain FluidZone.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

inflow

Mass and Momentum > Option

Normal Speed

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed

0.4 [m s^-1]

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

300 [K]

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Opening Boundary
An opening boundary is appropriate for the exit in this case because, at some stage during the solution, the coiled
heating element will cause some recirculation at the exit. At an opening boundary you need to set the temperature
of fluid that enters through the boundary. In this case it is useful to base this temperature on the fluid temperature
at the outlet as you expect the fluid to be flowing mostly out through this opening.
1.

Create a new expression named OutletTemperature.

2.

Set Definition to areaAve(T)@outflow

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Create a new boundary named outflow in the domain FluidZone.

5.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Opening

Location

outflow

Mass and Momentum > Option

Opening Pres. and Dirn

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

OutletTemperature

Boundary Details

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Creating the Domain Interface

6.

Click OK.

The default adiabatic wall boundary will be applied automatically to the remaining unspecified external boundaries
of the fluid domain.
Two more boundary conditions are generated automatically when a domain interface is created to connect the fluid
and solid domains. The domain interface is discussed in the next section.

Creating the Domain Interface

If you have Automatic Default Interfaces turned on, then an interface called
Default Fluid Solid Interface is created automatically and listed in the tree view. In this case, delete
the default interface and proceed to creating a new one.
1.

Create a new domain interface named Fluid Solid Interface and apply the following settings:
Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Solid

Interface Side 1 > Domain (Filter)

FluidZone

Interface Side 1 > Region List

F10.B1.P3, F5.B1.P3, F6.B1.P3, F7.B1.P3,

F8.B1.P3, F9.B1.P3

Interface Side 2 > Domain (Filter)

SolidZone

Interface Side 2 > Region List

F10.B2.P3, F5.B2.P3, F6.B2.P3, F7.B2.P3,

F8.B2.P3, F9.B2.P3

Interface Models > Option

General Connection

Interface Models > Frame Change/Mixing

Model > Option

None

Interface Models > Pitch Change > Option

None

Mesh Connection Method > Mesh Connection Automatic

> Option
Additional Interface Heat Transfer
Models
Heat Transfer > Interface Model > Option
Heat Transfer > Interface Model > Material

(Selected)
Thin Material
Calcium Carbonate

Heat Transfer > Interface Model > Thickness 1 [mm]

2.

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control >Fluid Timescale Control 2 [s]

> Physical Timescale

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

For the Convergence Criteria, an RMS value of at least 1e-05 is usually required for adequate convergence,
but the default value is sufficient for demonstration purposes.
3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

HeatingCoil.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

1.

Ensure that the Define Run dialog box is displayed.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.
While the calculations proceed, you can see residual output for various equations in both the text area and the
plot area. Use the tabs to switch between different plots (e.g., Heat Transfer, Turbulence (KE), etc.) in the
plot area. You can view residual plots for the fluid and solid domains separately by editing the workspace
properties (under Workspace > Workspace Properties).

3.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

The following topics will be discussed:

Heating Coil Temperature Range (p. 236)

Creating a Cylindrical Locator (p. 237)

Specular Lighting (p. 239)

Moving the Light Source (p. 239)

Heating Coil Temperature Range

To grasp the effect of the calcium carbonate deposit, it is beneficial to compare the temperature range on either side
of the deposit.
1.

When CFD-Post opens, if you see the Domain Selector dialog box, ensure that both domains are selected, then
click OK.

2.

Create a new contour named Contour 1.

3.

Apply the following settings:

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Creating a Cylindrical Locator

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Location

Fluid Solid Interface Side 1a

Variable

Temperature

Range

Local

Boundary Data > Hybrid

(Selected)

This is the deposit side that is in contact with the water.

4.

Click Apply.

5.

Take note of the temperature range displayed below the Range drop-down box. The temperature on the outer
surface of the deposit should range from around 400 K to 740 K.
Change the contour location to Fluid Solid Interface Side 2 (The deposit side that is in contact
with the coil) and click Apply. Notice how the temperature ranges from around 440 K to 810 K on the inner
surface of the deposit.

Creating a Cylindrical Locator

Next, you will create a cylindrical locator close to the outside wall of the annular domain. This can be done by using
an expression to specify radius and locating a particular radius with an isosurface.

Expression
1.

Create a new expression named expradius.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

Definition

(x^2 + y^2)^0.5

Click Apply.

Variable
1.

Create a new variable named radius.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

Expression

expradius

Click Apply.

Isosurface of the variable

1.

Create a new isosurface named Isosurface 1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Variable

radius

Definition > Value

0.8 [m]a

Mode

Variable

Color

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Creating a Cylindrical Locator

Tab

Render

Setting

Value

Variable

Temperature

Range

User Specifiedb

Min

299 [K]

Max

309 [K]

Show Faces

(Selected)

The maximum radius is 1 m, so a cylinder locator at a radius of 0.8 m is suitable.

Over most of the isosurface, the temperature is between 299 K and 309 K. The full temperature range is much larger due to temperature
extremes on a very small fraction of the isosurface. By neglecting those extreme temperatures, more colors are used over the range of
interest.
b

3.

Click Apply.

Note
The default range legend now displayed is that of the isosurface and not the contour. The default legend
is set according to what is being edited in the details view.

Creating a Temperature Profile Chart

For a quantitative analysis of the temperature variation through the water and heating coil, it is beneficial to create
a temperature profile chart.
First, you will create a line that passes through two turns of the heating coil. You can then graphically analyze the
temperature variance along that line by creating a temperature chart.
1.

Create a new line named Line 1.

2.

Apply the following settings to Line 1

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Point 1

-0.75, 0, 0

Definition > Point 2

-0.75, 0, 2.25

Line Type > Sample

(Selected)

Line Type > Samples

200

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Create a new chart named Temperature Profile.

5.

Click the Data Series tab.

6.

Set Location to Line 1.

7.

Click the Y Axis tab.

8.

Set Data Selection > Variable to Temperature.

9.

Apply the following settings to Temperature Profile

10. Click Apply.

You can see from the chart that the temperature spikes upward when entering the deposit region and is at its maximum
at the center of the coil turns.

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Specular Lighting

Specular Lighting
Specular lighting is on by default. Specular lighting allows glaring bright spots on the surface of an object, depending
on the orientation of the surface and the position of the light. You can disable specular lighting as follows:
1.

2.

Apply the following settings to Isosurface 1

Tab

Setting

Value

Render

Show Faces > Specular

(Cleared)

Click Apply.

Moving the Light Source

To move the light source, click within the 3-D Viewer, then press and hold Shift while pressing the arrow keys left,
right, up or down.

Tip
If using the Standalone version, you can move the light source by positioning the mouse pointer in the
viewer, holding down the Ctrl key, and dragging using the right mouse button.

Exporting the Results to ANSYS

This optional step involves generating an ANSYS .cdb data file from the results generated in CFX-Solver. The
.cdb file could then be used with the ANSYS Multi-field solver to measure the combined effects of thermal and
mechanical stresses on the solid heating coil.
There are two possible ways to export data to ANSYS:

Use CFX-Solver Manager to export data. For details, see Exporting Data from CFX-Solver Manager (p. 239).

Use CFD-Post to export data. This involves:

1.

Importing a surface mesh from ANSYS into CFD-Post, and associating the surface with the corresponding
2D region in the CFX-Solver results file.

2.

Exporting the data to a file containing SFE commands that represent surface element thermal or mechanical
stress values.

3.

Loading the commands created in the previous step into ANSYS and visualizing the loads.

Exporting Data from CFX-Solver Manager

Because the heat transfer in the solid domain was calculated in ANSYS CFX, the 3D thermal data will be exported
using element type 3D Thermal (70). The mechanical stresses are calculated on the liquid side of the liquid-solid
interface. These values will be exported using element type 2D Stress (154).

Thermal Data
1.

Start CFX-Solver Manager.

2.

Select Tools > Export to ANSYS MultiField.

The Export to ANSYS MultiField Solver dialog box appears.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

Results File

HeatingCoil_001.res

Export File

HeatingCoil_001_ansysfsi_70.cdb

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Exporting Data from CFX-Solver Manager

Setting

Value

Domain Name > Domain

SolidZone

Domain Name > Boundarya

Export Options > ANSYS Element Type

3D Thermal (70)

Leave Boundary empty because the entire volume is exported for 3D data.

4.

Click Export.
When the export is complete, click OK to acknowledge the message and continue with the next steps to export
data for Mechanical Stresses (p. 240).

Mechanical Stresses
1.

2.

Apply the following settings in the Export to ANSYS MultiField Solver dialog box (see Step 2 (p. 239) above):
Setting

Value

Results File

HeatingCoil_001.res

Export File

HeatingCoil_001_ansysfsi_154.cdb

Domain Name > Domain

FluidZone

Domain Name > Boundary

FluidZone Default

Export Options > ANSYS Element Type

2D Stress (154)

Click Export.

You now have two exported files that can be used with ANSYS Multi-field solver. When you are finished, close
CFX-Solver Manager and CFD-Post.

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Chapter 17. Multiphase Flow in a Mixing

Vessel
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 241)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 242)

Before You Begin (p. 243)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 243)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 244)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 257)

Examining the Results in CFD-Post (p. 257)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Setting up a multiphase flow simulation involving air and water.

Importing meshes that have CFX-4 and CFX Mesh file formats.

Setting up a simulation using multiple frames of reference.

Using a fluid dependent turbulence model to set different turbulence options for each fluid.

Specifying buoyant flow.

Specifying a degassing outlet boundary to allow air, but not water, to escape from the boundary.

Connecting two domains (one for a tank and one for an impeller inside the tank) via Frozen Rotor interfaces.

Modeling rotational periodicity using periodic boundary conditions.

Using periodic GGI interfaces where the mesh does not match exactly.

Using thin surfaces for blade and baffle surfaces.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Multiple Domain
Rotating Frame of Reference

Turbulence Model

Dispersed Phase Zero Equation

Fluid-Dependent
k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

None

Buoyant Flow
Multiphase
Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Degassing)

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Wall: Thin Surface
Wall: (Slip Depends on Volume
Fraction)

Domain Interfaces

Frozen Rotor
Periodic
Thin Surface Partners

Output Control

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Plots

Default Locators
Slice Plane

Other

Quantitative Calculation

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This example simulates the mixing of water and air in a mixing vessel. The geometry consists of a mixing tank
vessel, an air injection pipe, four baffles, a rotating impeller, and a shaft that runs vertically through the vessel. The
impeller rotates at 84 rpm about the X-axis (in the counterclockwise direction, when viewed from above). Air is
injected into the vessel through an inlet pipe located below the impeller at a speed of 5 m/s. The inlet pipe diameter
is 2.48 cm. Assume that both the water and air remain at a constant temperature of 25C and that the air is
incompressible, with a density equal to that at 25C and 1 atmosphere. Also assume that the air bubbles are 3 mm
in diameter.
Examine the steady-state distribution of air in the tank. Also calculate the torque and power required to turn the
impeller at 84 rpm.

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Before You Begin

Figure 17.1. Cut-away Diagram of the Mixer

The figure above shows the full geometry with part of the tank walls and one baffle cut away. The symmetry of the
vessel allows a 1/4 section of the full geometry to be modeled.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

MultiphaseMixer.pre

MixerImpellerMesh.gtm

MixerTank.geo

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

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Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run MultiphaseMixer.pre. For
details, see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver
Manager (p. 257).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type MultiphaseMixer.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Meshes

In this tutorial, two mesh files are provided: one for the mixer tank excluding the impeller, and one for the impeller.
These meshes fit together to occupy the entire tank. The region occupied by the impeller mesh is indicated in
Figure 17.2, Impeller Mesh Region (p. 244).

Figure 17.2. Impeller Mesh Region

Next, you will import the mesh for the mixer tank, followed by the mesh for the impeller. The impeller mesh, as
provided, is not located in the correct spatial position relative to the tank mesh. After importing the impeller mesh,
you will move it to the correct position.

Note
This simulation involves the use of two domains: a stationary fluid domain on the main 3D region of
the tank mesh and a rotating fluid domain on the main 3D region of the impeller mesh. It is not necessary
to use separate meshes in this type of simulation, as long as there are 3D regions available for locating
these two domains.

Importing the Mixer Tank Mesh

The mixer tank mesh is provided as a CFX-4 mesh file (*.geo). Import it as follows:
1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain and
Automatic Default Interfaces are turned off.
Default Domain and Interface generation should be turned off because you will be manually creating domains
and interfaces for the impeller and main tank later in this tutorial.
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Importing the Meshes

2.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other.

The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

Files of type

CFX-4(*geo)

File name

MixerTank.geo

Options > Mesh Units

Advanced Options > CFX-4 Options > Create 3D Regions on >

Fluid Regions (USER3D, POROUS)

(Cleared)a

In this case, the mesh file contains USER3D regions that you do not need.

4.

Click Open.

Importing the Impeller Mesh

The impeller mesh is provided as a CFX Mesh file (*.gtm). Import it as follows:
1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other to import the second mesh. The Import Mesh dialog box
appears.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

Files of type

CFX Mesh (*gtm *cfx)

File name

MixerImpellerMesh.gtm

3.

Click Open.

4.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (X up) to view the
mesh assemblies.

Relocating the Impeller Mesh

In the next step you will move the impeller mesh to its correct position.
1.

Right-click MixerImpellerMesh.gtm and select Transform Mesh.

The Mesh Transformation Editor dialog box appears.

2.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

Transformation

Translation

Method

Deltas

Dx, Dy, Dz

0.275, 0, 0

Click Apply then Close.

Viewing the Mesh at the Tank Periodic Boundary

1.

In the Outline workspace, expand the tree to show MixerTank.geo > Principal 3D Regions >
Primitive 3D > Principal 2D Regions.

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Creating the Domains

2.

Click the primitive region BLKBDY_TANK_PER2.

You can now see the mesh on one of the periodic regions of the tank. To reduce the solution time for this tutorial,
the mesh used is very coarse. This is not a suitable mesh to obtain accurate results, but it is sufficient for demonstration
purposes.

Note
If you do not see the surface mesh, highlighting may be turned off. If highlighting is disabled, toggle
Highlighting
. The default highlight type will show the surface mesh for any selected regions. If you
see a different highlighting type, you can alter it by selecting Edit > Options and browsing to CFX-Pre
> Graphics Style.

Creating the Domains

The mixer requires two domains: a rotating impeller domain and a stationary tank domain. Both domains contain
water as a continuous phase and air as a dispersed phase. The domains will model turbulence, buoyancy, and forces
between the fluids.

Rotating Domain for the Impeller

As stated in the problem description, the impeller rotates at 84 rpm.
1.

Ensure that no default domain is present under Flow Analysis 1. If a default domain is present, right-click
it and select Delete.

2.

Click Domain

3.

Under the Fluid and Particle Definitions setting, delete Fluid 1 and create a new fluid definition called
Air.

4.

Click Add new item

5.

Apply the following settings:

and set the name to impeller.

and name it Water

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic
Settings

Location and Type > Location

Main

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Air

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Air > Material

Air at 25 C

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Air > Morphology > Option

Dispersed Fluid

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Air > Morphology > Mean
Diameter

3 [mm]

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Water

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Water > Material

Water

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure

1 [atm]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Option

Buoyant

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity X Dirn.

-9.81 [m s^-2]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity Y Dirn.

0 [m s^-2]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity Z Dirn.

0 [m s^-2]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Buoy. Ref. Densitya

997 [kg m^-3]

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Creating the Domains

Tab

Setting

Value

Domain Models > Domain Motion > Option

Rotating

Domain Models > Domain Motion > Angular Velocity

84 [rev min ^-1]b

Domain Models > Domain Motion > Axis Definition > Rotation Global X
Axis
Fluid
Models

Multiphase > Homogeneous Model

(Cleared)c

Multiphase > Free Surface Model > Option

None

Heat Transfer > Homogeneous Model

(Cleared)

Heat Transfer > Option

Isothermal

Heat Transfer > Fluid Temperature

25 [C]

Turbulence > Homogeneous Model

(Cleared)

Turbulence > Option

Fluid Dependent

Fluid Pair Fluid Pair

Models
Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Surface Tension Coefficient
Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Surface Tension Coefficient > Surf.
Tension Coeff.

Air | Water
(Selected)
0.073 [N m^-1]d

Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Momentum Transfer > Drag Force > Grace
Option
Fluid Pair > Air |Water > Momentum Transfer > Drag Force > (Selected)
Volume Fraction Correction Exponent
Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Momentum Transfer > Drag Force > 4e
Volume Fraction Correction Exponent > Value
Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Momentum Transfer > Non-drag
forces > Turbulent Dispersion Force > Option

Lopez de Bertodano

Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Momentum Transfer > Non-drag
forces > Turbulent Dispersion Force > Dispersion Coeff.

0.1

Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Turbulence Transfer > Option

Sato Enhanced Eddy

Viscosityf

For dilute dispersed multiphase flow, always set the buoyancy reference density to that for continuous fluid.
Note the unit.
c
Turn off the homogeneous model to allow each fluid to have its own velocity field.
d
This must be set to allow the Grace drag model to be used.
e
A positive value is appropriate for large bubbles. For details, see Densely Distributed Fluid Particles: Grace Drag Model (p. 150).
f
This models particle-induced turbulence. For details, see Turbulence Enhancement (p. 158).
b

6.

Click OK.

Stationary Domain for the Main Tank

Next, you will create a stationary domain for the main tank by copying the properties of the existing impeller domain.
1.

Right-click impeller and select Duplicate from the shortcut menu.

2.

Rename the duplicated domain to tank and then open it for editing.

3.

Apply the following settings:

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Creating the Boundaries

4.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

Primitive 3D

Domain Models > Domain Motion >

Option

Stationary

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

The following boundary conditions will be set:

An inlet through which air enters the mixer.

A degassing outlet, so that only the gas phase can leave the domain.

Thin surfaces for the baffle.

A wall for the hub and the portion of the shaft that is in the rotating domain. This wall will be rotating, and
therefore stationary relative to the rotating domain.

A wall for the portion of the shaft in the stationary domain. This wall will be rotating relative to the stationary
domain.

When the default wall boundary is generated, the internal 2D regions of an imported mesh are ignored, while the
regions that form domain boundaries are included.

Note
The blade surfaces of the impeller will be modeled using domain interfaces later in the tutorial.

Air Inlet Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary in the domain tank named Airin.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

INLET_DIPTUBE

Boundary Details

Mass And Momentum > Option

Fluid Dependent

Fluid Values

Boundary Conditions

Air

Boundary Conditions > Air > Velocity > Option Normal Speed
Boundary Conditions > Air > Velocity >
Normal Speed

5 [m s^-1]

Boundary Conditions > Air > Volume Fraction Value

> Option
Boundary Conditions > Air > Volume Fraction 1
> Volume Fraction
Boundary Conditions

Water

Boundary Conditions > Water > Velocity >

Option

Normal Speed

Boundary Conditions > Water > Velocity >

Normal Speed

5 [m s^-1]

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Creating the Boundaries

Tab

3.

Setting

Value

Boundary Conditions > Water > Volume

Fraction > Option

Value

Boundary Conditions > Water > Volume

Fraction > Volume Fraction

Click OK.

Degassing Outlet Boundary

Create a degassing outlet to represent the free surface where air bubbles escape. The continuous phase (water) sees
this boundary as a free-slip wall and does not leave the domain. The dispersed phase (air) sees this boundary as an
outlet.
1.

Create a new boundary in the domain tank named LiquidSurface.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

WALL_LIQUID_SURFACE

Mass And Momentum > Option

Degassing Condition

Boundary Details
3.

Click OK.

Note that no pressure is specified for this boundary. The solver will compute a pressure distribution on this
fixed-position boundary to represent the surface height variations that would occur in the real flow.

Thin Surface for the Baffle

In CFX-Pre, thin surfaces can be created by specifying wall boundary conditions on both sides of internal 2D regions.
Both sides of the baffle regions will be specified as walls in this case.
1.

Create a new boundary in the domain tank named Baffle.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

WALL_BAFFLESa

Mass And Momentum > Option

Fluid Dependent

Wall Contact Model > Option

Use Volume Fraction

Boundary Conditions

Air

Boundary Conditions > Air> Mass and

Momentum > Option

Free Slip Wallb

Boundary Conditions

Water

Boundary Conditions > Water > Mass and

Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Boundary Details

Fluid Values

The WALL_BAFFLES region includes the surfaces on both sides of the baffle (you can confirm this by examining WALL_BAFFLES in
the region selector).

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Creating the Boundaries

b

The Free Slip Wall condition can be used for the gas phase since the contact area with the walls is near zero for low gas phase
volume fractions.

3.

Click OK.

Wall Boundary for the Shaft

You will now set up a boundary for the portions of the shaft that are in the tank domain. Since the tank domain is
not rotating, you need to specify a moving wall on the shaft to account for the shaft's rotation.
Part of the shaft is located directly above the air inlet, so the volume fraction of air in this location will be high and
the assumption of zero contact area for the gas phase is not physically correct. In this case, a no slip boundary is
more appropriate than a free slip condition for the air phase. When the volume fraction of air in contact with a wall
is low, a free slip condition is more appropriate for the air phase.
In cases where it is important to correctly model the dispersed phase slip properties at walls for all volume fractions,
you can declare both fluids as no slip, but set up an expression for the dispersed phase wall area fraction. The
expression should result in an area fraction of zero for dispersed phase volume fractions from 0 to 0.3, for example,
and then linearly increase to an area fraction of 1 as the volume fraction increases to 1.
1.

Create a new boundary in the domain tank named TankShaft.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

WALL_SHAFT,
WALL_SHAFT_CENTER

Mass and Momentum > Option

Fluid Dependent

Wall Contact Model > Option

Use Volume Fraction

Boundary Conditions

Air

Boundary Conditions > Air > Mass And

Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Boundary Conditions > Air > Mass And

Momentum > Wall Velocity

(Selected)

Boundary Conditions > Air > Mass And

Momentum > Wall Velocity > Option

Rotating Wall

Boundary Conditions > Air > Mass And

Momentum > Wall Velocity > Angular
Velocity

84 [rev min ^-1]a

Boundary Details

Fluid Values

Boundary Conditions > Air > Mass And

Coordinate Axis
Momentum > Wall Velocity > Axis Definition
> Option
Boundary Conditions > Air > Mass And
Global X
Momentum > Wall Velocity > Axis Definition
> Rotation Axis
a

Note the unit.

3.

Select Water and set the same values as for Air.

4.

Click OK.

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Creating the Domain Interfaces

Required Boundary in the Impeller Domain

1.

Create a new boundary in the domain impeller named HubShaft.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

Hub, Shaft

Mass And Momentum > Option

Fluid Dependent

Wall Contact Model > Option

Use Volume Fraction

Boundary Conditions

Air

Boundary Conditions > Air > Mass And

Momentum > Option

Free Slip Wall

Boundary Conditions

Water

Boundary Conditions > Water > Mass and

Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Boundary Details

Fluid Values

3.

Click OK.

Modifying the Default Wall Boundary

As mentioned previously, when the volume fraction of air in contact with a wall is low, a free slip condition is more
appropriate for the air phase.
1.

In the tree view, open tank Default for editing.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Mass and Momentum > Option

Fluid Dependent

Wall Contact Model > Option

Use Volume Fraction

Boundary Conditions

Air

Boundary Conditions > Air > Mass And

Momentum > Option

Free Slip Wall

Boundary Conditions

Water

Boundary Conditions > Water > Mass And

Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Fluid Values

3.

Click OK.
It is not necessary to set the default boundary in the impeller domain since the remaining surfaces will be
assigned interface conditions in the next section.

Creating the Domain Interfaces

The following interfaces will be set:

Blade thin surface interface.

Rotational periodic domain interfaces for the periodic faces of the tank and impeller.

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Creating the Domain Interfaces

Frozen Rotor interfaces between the impeller and tank domains.

Modeling the Blade Using a Domain Interface

You can model thin surfaces using either wall boundaries or domain interfaces. There are some differences between
domain interfaces and ordinary wall boundaries; for example, CFX-Pre automatically detects the matching domain
boundary regions when setting up a domain interface.
Previously, the thin surface representation of the tank baffle was modeled using boundary conditions. For
demonstrational purposes, you will use a domain interface to model the thin surface representation of the impeller
blade (even though using wall boundary conditions would also work).
1.

Create a new domain interface named Blade Thin Surface.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Fluid

Interface Side 1 > Domain (filter)

impeller

Interface Side 1 > Region List

Blade

Interface Side 2 > Domain (filter)

impeller

Interface Side 2 > Region List

Solid 3.3 2, Solid 3.6 2

Mass And Momentum > Option

Side Dependenta

Additional
Interface Models
a

This is done so that we can set a fluid dependent treatment on each side of the interface.

3.

Click OK.
Two boundaries named Blade Thin Surface Side 1 and Blade Thin Surface Side 2 are
created automatically.

4.

In the tree view, open Blade Thin Surface Side 1 for editing.

5.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Mass and Momentum > Option

Fluid Dependent

Wall Contact Model > Option

Use Volume Fraction

Boundary Conditions

Air

Boundary Conditions > Air > Mass And

Momentum > Option

Free Slip Wall

Boundary Conditions

Water

Boundary Conditions > Water > Mass And

Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Fluid Values

6.

Click OK.

7.

In the tree view, open Blade Thin Surface Side 2 for editing.

8.

Apply the same settings as for Blade Thin Surface Side 1.

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Creating the Domain Interfaces

Rotational Periodic Interfaces

Periodic domain interfaces can either be one-to-one or GGI interfaces. One-to-one transformations occur for
topologically similar meshes whose nodes match within a given tolerance. One-to-one periodic interfaces are more
accurate and reduce CPU and memory requirements. Here, you will choose the Automatic mesh connection
method, to let ANSYS CFX choose between one-to-one and GGI. For details, see Mesh Connection Options (p.
132).
1.

Create a new domain interface named ImpellerPeriodic.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Fluid

Interface Side 1 > Domain (Filter)

impeller

Interface Side 1 > Region List

Periodic1

Interface Side 2 > Domain (Filter)

impeller

Interface Side 2 > Region List

Periodic2

Interface Models > Option

Rotational Periodicity

Interface Models > Axis Definition > Option

Coordinate Axis

Interface Models > Axis Definition > Rotation Global X

Axis
Mesh Connection Method > Mesh Connection Automatic
> Option
3.

Click OK.

1.

Create a new domain interface named TankPeriodic.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Fluid

Interface Side 1 > Domain (Filter)

tank

Interface Side 1 > Region List

BLKBDY_TANK_PER1

Interface Side 2 > Domain (Filter)

tank

Interface Side 2 > Region List

BLKBDY_TANK_PER2

Interface Models > Option

Rotational Periodicity

Interface Models > Axis Definition > Option

Coordinate Axis

Interface Models > Axis Definition > Rotation Global X

Axis
Mesh Connection Method > Mesh Connection Automatic
> Option
3.

Click OK.

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Creating the Domain Interfaces

Frozen Rotor Interfaces

You will now create three Frozen Rotor interfaces for the regions connecting the two domains. In this case three
separate interfaces are created. You should not try to create a single domain interface for multiple surfaces that lie
in different planes.
1.

Create a new domain interface named Top.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Fluid

Interface Side 1 > Domain (Filter)

impeller

Interface Side 1 > Region List

Top

Interface Side 2 > Domain (Filter)

tank

Interface Side 2 > Region List

BLKBDY_TANK_TOP

Interface Models > Option

General Connection

Interface Models > Frame Change/Mixing

Model > Option

Frozen Rotor

3.

Click OK.

4.

Create a new domain interface named Bottom.

5.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Fluid

Interface Side 1 > Domain (Filter)

impeller

Interface Side 1 > Region List

Bottom

Interface Side 2 > Domain (Filter)

tank

Interface Side 2 > Region List

BLKBDY_TANK_BOT

Interface Models > Option

General Connection

Interface Models > Frame Change/Mixing

Model > Option

Frozen Rotor

6.

Click OK.

7.

Create a new domain interface named Outer.

8.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Fluid

Interface Side 1 > Domain (Filter)

impeller

Interface Side 1 > Region List

Outer

Interface Side 2 > Domain (Filter)

tank

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Setting Initial Values

Tab

9.

Setting

Value

Interface Side 2 > Region List

BLKBDY_TANK_OUTER

Interface Models > Option

General Connection

Interface Models > Frame Change/Mixing

Model > Option

Frozen Rotor

Click OK.

For more details about the Frozen Rotor interface, see Frozen Rotor (p. 126).

Setting Initial Values

You will set the initial volume fraction of air to 0, and allow the initial volume fraction of water to be computed
automatically. Since the volume fractions must sum to unity, the initial volume fraction of water will be 1.
It is important to understand how the velocity is initialized in this tutorial. Here, both fluids use Automatic for
the Cartesian Velocity Components option. When the Automatic option is used, the initial velocity field will
be based on the velocity values set at inlets, openings, and outlets. In this tutorial, the only boundary that has a set
velocity value is the inlet, which specifies a velocity of 5 [m s^-1] for both phases. Without setting the Velocity
Scale parameter, the resulting initial guess would be a uniform velocity of 5 [m s^-1] in the X-direction throughout
the domains for both phases. This is clearly not suitable since the water phase is enclosed by the tank. When the
boundary velocity conditions are not representative of the expected domain velocities, the Velocity Scale parameter
should be used to set a representative domain velocity. In this case the velocity scale for water is set to zero, causing
the initial velocity for the water to be zero. The velocity scale is not set for air, resulting in an initial velocity of
5 [m s^-1] in the X-direction for the air. This should not be a problem since the initial volume fraction of the air is
zero everywhere.
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Settings

Fluid Specific Initialization

Air

Fluid Specific Initialization > Air > Initial Conditions Automatic with Value
> Volume Fraction > Option
Fluid Specific Initialization > Air > Initial Conditions 0
> Volume Fraction > Volume Fraction
Fluid Specific Initialization

Water

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water > Initial

Automatic
Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > Option

3.

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water > Initial

Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components >
Velocity Scale

(Selected)

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water > Initial

Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components >
Velocity Scale > Value

0 [m s^-1]

Click OK.

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255

Setting Solver Control

Setting Solver Control

Generally, two different time scales exist for multiphase mixers. The first is a small time scale based on the rotational
speed of the impeller, typically taken as 1 / , resulting in a time scale of 0.11 s for this case. The second time scale
is usually larger and based on the recirculation time of the continuous phase in the mixer.
Using a time step based on the rotational speed of the impeller will be more robust, but convergence will be slow
since it takes time for the flow field in the mixer to develop. Using a larger time step reduces the number of iterations
required for the mixer flow field to develop, but reduces robustness. You will need to experiment to find an optimum
time step.
1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Advection Scheme > Option

High Resolution

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

100a

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Physical Timescale

2 [s]b

Convergence Criteria

(Default)c

For advice on setting time steps in multiphase simulations, see Timestepping (p. 173).
This is an aggressive time step for this case.
c
The default is an RMS value of 1.0E-04. If you are using a maximum edge length of 0.005 m or less to produce a finer mesh, use a target
residual of 1.0E-05 to obtain a more accurate solution.
b

3.

Click OK.

Adding Monitor Points

You can monitor the value of an expression during the solver run so that you can view the volume fraction of air
in the tank (the gas hold up). The gas hold up is often used to judge convergence in these types of simulations by
converging until a steady-state value is achieved.
1.

Create the following expressions:

TankAirHoldUp = volumeAve(Air.vf)@tank
ImpellerAirHoldUp = volumeAve(Air.vf)@impeller
TotalAirHoldUp = (volume()@tank * TankAirHoldUp +
volume()@impeller * ImpellerAirHoldUp) /
(volume()@tank + volume()@impeller)
2.

Click Output Control

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Monitor

Monitor Options

(Selected)

4.

Create a new Monitor Points and Expressions item named Total Air Holdup.

5.

Apply the following settings to Total Air Holdup:

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

6.

Setting

Value

Option

Expression

Expression Value

TotalAirHoldUp

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

MultiphaseMixer.def

Click Save.
If you are notified the file already exists, click Overwrite.

4.

Click OK.

5.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

Start the simulation from CFX-Solver Manager:
1.

Ensure Define Run is displayed.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
After a run has finished, examine some of the information printed at the end of the OUT file.
A common quantity of interest is the mass balance; this compares the amount of fluid leaving the domain to
the amount entering.

In most cases, the global imbalance should be less than 0.1% in a converged solution.

For a single-phase simulation, the mass balance information is given for the P-Mass equation.

For a multiphase simulation, the mass balance information is given for the P-Vol equation.

This is not the volumetric flow balance information, but is the summation of the phasic continuity mass
balance information.

3.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

Examining the Results in CFD-Post

After CFD-Post has started and the tank and mixer domains have been loaded, the mixer geometry appears in the
viewer. Orient the view so that the X-axis points up as follows:

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (X up).

You will create some plots showing the distributions of velocity and other variables. You will also calculate the
torque and power required to turn the impeller at 84 rpm.

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Creating a Plane Locator

Creating a Plane Locator

Create a vertical plane that extends from the shaft to the tank wall at a location far from the baffle. This plane will
be used as a locator for various plots, such as velocity vector plots and plots showing the distribution of air.
1.

Create a new plane named Plane 1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

Three Points

Definition > Point 1

1, 0, 0

Definition > Point 2

0, 1, -0.9

Definition > Point 3

0, 0, 0

Click Apply.

Plotting Velocity
Recall that the homogeneous multiphase option was not used when specifying the domain settings (see the setting
for Fluid Models > Multiphase Options > Homogeneous Model in Rotating Domain for the Impeller (p. 246)).
As a consequence, the air and water velocity fields may differ from each other. Plot the velocity of water, then air
on Plane 1:
1.

Create a new vector plot named Vector 1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Locations

Plane 1

Variable

Water.Velocity in Stn Framea

Symbol Size

0.2

Normalize Symbols

(Selected)

Symbol

a
Using this variable, instead of Water.Velocity, results in the velocity vectors appearing to be continuous at the interface between the
rotating and stationary domains. Velocity variables that do not include a frame specification always use the local reference frame.

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Turn off the visibility of Plane 1 to better see the vector plot.

5.

Observe the vector plot (in particular, near the top of the tank). Note that the water is not flowing out of the
domain.

6.

Change the variable to Air.Velocity in Stn Frame and click Apply.

Observe this vector plot, noting how the air moves upward all the way to the water surface, where it escapes.

7.

Turn off the visibility of Vector 1 in preparation for the next plots.

Plotting Pressure Distribution

Color Plane 1 to see the pressure distribution:
1.

Turn on the visibility of Plane 1.

2.

Apply the following settings to Plane 1:

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Plotting Volume Fractions

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Pressure

Range

Local

Click Apply.
Note that the pressure field computed by the solver excludes the hydrostatic pressure corresponding to the
specified buoyancy reference density. The pressure field including this hydrostatic component (as well as the
reference pressure) can by visualized by plotting Absolute Pressure.

Plotting Volume Fractions

To see the distribution of air, color Plane 1 by the volume fraction of air:
1.

2.

Apply the following settings to Plane 1:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Air.Volume Fraction

Range

User Specified

Min

Max

0.04

Click Apply.

The user-specified range was made much narrower than the Global and Local ranges in order to better show the
variation.

Plotting Shear Strain Rate and Shear Stress

Areas of high shear strain rate or shear stress are typically also areas where the highest mixing occurs.
To see where the most of the mixing occurs, color Plane 1 by shear strain rate.
1.

2.

Apply the following settings to Plane 1:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Variable

Air.Shear Strain Rate

Range

User Specified

Min

0 [s^-1]

Max

15 [s^-1]

Click Apply.
The user-specified range was made much narrower than the Global and Local ranges in order to better show
the variation.

3.

Modify the coloring of the MultiphaseMixer_001 > tank > tank Default object by applying the
following settings:

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259

Calculating Torque and Power Requirements

4.

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Water.Wall Shear

Range

Local

Click Apply.

The legend for this plot shows the range of wall shear values.
The global maximum wall shear stress is much higher than the maximum value on the default walls. The global
maximum values occur on the TankShaft boundary directly above the inlet. Although these values are very high,
the shear force exerted on this boundary is small since the contact area fraction of water is very small there.

Calculating Torque and Power Requirements

Calculate the torque and power required to spin the impeller at 84 rpm:
1.

Select Tools > Function Calculator from the main menu or click Show Function Calculator

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Function Calculator Function

Value
torque

Location

Blade Thin Surface Side 1

Axis

Global X

Fluid

All Fluids

3.

Click Calculate to find the torque about the X-axis imparted by both fluids on location Blade Thin
Surface Side 1.

4.

Repeat the calculation, setting Location to Blade Thin Surface Side 2.

The sum of these two torques is approximately -67.4 [N m] about the X-axis. Multiplying by -4 to find the torque
required by all of the impeller blades gives a required torque of approximately 270 [N m] about the X-axis. You
could also include the contributions from the locations HubShaft and TankShaft; however in this case their
contributions are negligible.
The power requirement is simply the required torque multiplied by the rotational speed (84 rpm = 8.8 rad/s):
Power = 270 N m * 8.8 rad/s = 2376 W.
Remember that this value is the power requirement for the work done on the fluids; it does not account for any
mechanical losses, motor efficiencies etc. Also note that the accuracy of these results is significantly affected by
the coarseness of the mesh. You should not use a mesh of this length scale to obtain accurate quantitative results.

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Chapter 18. Gas-Liquid Flow in an Airlift

Reactor
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 261)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 262)

Before You Begin (p. 263)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 263)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 263)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 269)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 270)

Additional Fine Mesh Simulation Results (p. 272)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Setting up a multiphase flow simulation involving air and water.

Using a fluid dependent turbulence model to set different turbulence options for each fluid.

Specifying buoyant flow.

Specifying a degassing outlet boundary to allow air, but not water, to escape from the boundary.

Using face culling in CFD-Post to turn off the visibility of one side of a surface.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

Dispersed Phase Zero Equation

Fluid-Dependent Turbulence Model
k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

None

Buoyant Flow
Multiphase
Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Degassing)
Symmetry Plane
Wall: (Slip Depends on Volume
Fraction)

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Plots

Default Locators

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261

Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Vector

Other

Changing the Color Range

Symmetry

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial demonstrates the Eulerian-Eulerian multiphase model in CFX by simulating an airlift reactor. Airlift
reactors are tall gas-liquid contacting vessels and are often used in processes where gas absorption is important
(e.g., bioreactors to dissolve oxygen in broths) and to limit the exposure of micro-organisms to excessive shear
imparted by mechanically driven mixers.

Figure 18.1. Cut-away Diagram of the Airlift Reactor

This tutorial models the dispersion of air bubbles in water. Air is supplied through a sparger at the bottom of the
vessel and the rising action of the bubbles provides gentle agitation of the water. An internal tube (draft tube) directs
recirculation of the flow. The airlift reactor is shown in a cut-away diagram in Figure 18.1, Cut-away Diagram of
the Airlift Reactor (p. 262).
Simple airlift reactors that are without a draft tube tend to develop irregular flow patterns and poor overall mixing.
The draft tube in the airlift reactor helps to establish a regular flow pattern in the column and to achieve better
uniformity in temperature, concentration, and pH in the liquid phase, but sometimes at the expense of decreased
mass transfer from gas to liquid.
This tutorial also demonstrates the use of pairs of internal wall boundaries to model thin 3D features. In this case,
a pair of wall boundaries is used to model the draft tube. Other applications include baffles and guide vanes. In the
postprocessing section of this tutorial, you will learn how to use face culling to hide one side of a boundary. This
technique enables you to independently color each boundary of a pair of back-to-back boundaries (located at the
same position in 3D space, but with opposite orientation).
The airlift reactor that is modeled here is very similar to the laboratory bench scale prototype used by Garca-Calvo
and Letn.
A formal analysis of this simulation involving a finer mesh is available at the end of this tutorial. For details, see
Additional Fine Mesh Simulation Results (p. 272).
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Before You Begin

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

BubbleColumn.pre

BubbleColumnMesh.gtm

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically and continue to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver
Manager (p. 269), run BubbleColumn.pre.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type BubbleColumn.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other. The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

BubbleColumnMesh.gtm

Click Open.

Creating the Domain

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned on. A domain named Default Domain should now appear under the Simulation branch.

2.

Double-click Default Domain.

3.

In the Basic Settings tab, under Fluid and Particle Definitions, delete Fluid 1 and create a new fluid
definition called Air.

4.

Use the

5.

Apply the following settings:

button to create a new fluid named Water.

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263

Creating the Domain

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic
Settings

Location and Type > Location

B1.P3, B2.P3

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Air

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Air > Material

Air at 25 C

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Air > Morphology > Option

Dispersed Fluid

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Air > Morphology > Mean
Diameter

6 [mm]

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Water

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Water > Material

Water

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure

1 [atm]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Option

Buoyant

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity X Dirn.

0 [m s^-2]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity Y Dirn.

-9.81 [m s^-2]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity Z Dirn.

0 [m s^-2]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Buoy. Ref. Densitya

997 [kg m^-3]

Multiphase > Homogeneous Model

(Cleared)b

Multiphase > Free Surface Model > Option

None

Heat Transfer > Homogeneous Model

(Cleared)

Heat Transfer > Option

Isothermal

Heat Transfer > Fluid Temperature

25 [C]

Turbulence > Homogeneous Model

(Cleared)

Turbulence > Option

Fluid Dependentc

Fluid
Models

Fluid Pair Fluid Pair

Models
Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Surface Tension Coefficient
Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Surface Tension Coefficient > Surf.
Tension Coeff.

Air | Water
(Selected)
0.072 [N m^-1]d

Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Momentum Transfer > Drag Force > Grace
Option
Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Momentum Transfer > Drag Force > (Selected)
Volume Fraction Correction Exponent
Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Momentum Transfer > Drag Force > 2e
Volume Fraction Correction Exponent > Value
Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Momentum Transfer > Non-drag
forces > Turbulent Dispersion Force > Option

Lopez de Bertodano

Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Momentum Transfer > Non-drag
forces > Turbulent Dispersion Force > Dispersion Coeff.

0.3

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Creating the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Pair > Air | Water > Turbulence Transfer > Option

Sato Enhanced Eddy

Viscosityf

For dilute dispersed multiphase flow, always set the buoyancy reference density to that for continuous fluid.
Turn off the homogeneous model to allow each fluid to have its own velocity field.
c
The fluid-specific turbulence settings are defined in the Fluid Specific Models tab. They are set to default values.
d
This must be set to allow the Grace drag model to be used.
e
A positive value is appropriate for large bubbles. For details, see Densely Distributed Fluid Particles: Grace Drag Model (p. 150).
f
This models particle-induced turbulence. For details, see Turbulence Enhancement (p. 158).
b

6.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundary Conditions

For this simulation of the airlift reactor, the required boundary conditions are:

An inlet for air on the sparger.

A degassing outlet for air at the liquid surface.

A pair of wall boundaries for the draft tube.

An exterior wall for the outer wall, base and sparger tube.

Symmetry planes.

Inlet Boundary
At the sparger, create an inlet boundary that injects air at 0.3 m/s with a volume fraction of 0.25:
1.

Create a new boundary named Sparger.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

Sparger

Boundary Details

Mass And Momentum > Option

Fluid Dependent

Fluid Values

Boundary Conditions

Air

Boundary Conditions > Air > Velocity > Option Normal Speed
Boundary Conditions > Air > Velocity >
Normal Speed

0.3 [m s^-1]

Boundary Conditions > Air > Volume Fraction Value

> Option
Boundary Conditions > Air > Volume Fraction 0.25
> Volume Fraction
Boundary Conditions

Water

Boundary Conditions > Water > Velocity >

Option

Normal Speed

Boundary Conditions > Water > Velocity >

Normal Speed

0 [m s^-1]

Boundary Conditions > Water > Volume

Fraction > Option

Value

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Creating the Boundary Conditions

Tab

3.

Setting

Value

Boundary Conditions > Water > Volume

Fraction > Volume Fraction

0.75

Click OK.

Outlet Boundary
Create a degassing outlet boundary at the top of the reactor:
1.

Create a new boundary named Top.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

Top

Mass And Momentum > Option

Degassing Condition

Boundary Details
3.

Click OK.

Draft Tube Boundaries

The draft tube is an infinitely thin surface that requires a wall boundary on both sides; if only one side has a boundary
then CFX-Solver will fail.
The Free Slip condition can be used for the gas phase since the contact area with the walls is near zero for low
gas phase volume fractions.
The required boundary settings are the same for both sides of the draft tube. From the point of view of solving the
simulation, you could therefore define a single boundary and choose both sides of the tube as the location. However,
the postprocessing section of this tutorial requires the use of separate boundaries in order to illustrate the use of face
culling (a visualization technique), so you will create two wall boundaries instead.
Start by creating a wall boundary for the outer side of the draft tube:
1.

Create a new boundary named DraftTube Downcomer Side.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

DraftTube

Mass And Momentum > Option

Fluid Dependent

Wall Roughness > Option

Smooth Wall

Wall Contact Model > Option

Use Volume Fraction

Boundary Conditions

Air

Boundary Conditions > Air > Mass And

Momentum > Option

Free Slip Wall

Boundary Conditions

Water

Boundary Conditions > Water > Mass And

Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Boundary Details

Fluid Values

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Creating the Boundary Conditions

3.

Click OK.

Now create a boundary named DraftTube Riser Side using the same settings, but located on F10.B1.P3
(the riser side of the draft tube).

Symmetry Plane Boundary

To simulate the full geometry, create symmetry plane boundary conditions on the Symmetry1 and Symmetry2
locators:
1.

Create a new boundary named SymP1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

Symmetry1

3.

Click OK.

4.

Create a new boundary named SymP2.

5.

Apply the following settings:

6.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

Symmetry2

Click OK.

Modifying the Default Boundary

The remaining external regions are assigned to the default wall boundary. As for the draft tube boundary, set the
air phase to use the free slip wall condition:
1.

Edit Default Domain Default.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Mass And Momentum > Option

Fluid Dependent

Fluid Values

Boundary Conditions

Air

Boundary Conditions > Air > Mass And

Momentum > Option

Free Slip Wall

Boundary Conditions

Water

Boundary Conditions > Water > Mass And

Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Click OK.

The boundary specifications are now complete.

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Setting Initial Values

Setting Initial Values

It often helps to set an initial velocity for a dispersed phase that is different to that of the continuous phase. This
results in a non-zero drag between the phases which can help stability at the start of a simulation.
For some airlift reactor problems, improved convergence can be obtained by using CEL (CFX Expression Language)
to specify a non-zero volume fraction for air in the riser portion and a value of zero in the downcomer portion. This
should be done if two solutions are possible (for example, if the flow could go up the downcomer and down the
riser).
Set the initial values:
1.

Click Global Initialization

Since a single pressure field exists for a multiphase calculation, do not set pressure values on a per-fluid basis.
2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Settings

Fluid Specific Initialization

Air

Fluid Specific Initialization > Air > Initial Conditions Automatic with Value
> Cartesian Velocity Components > Option
Fluid Specific Initialization > Air > Initial Conditions 0 [m s^-1]
> Cartesian Velocity Components > U
Fluid Specific Initialization > Air > Initial Conditions 0.3 [m s^-1]
> Cartesian Velocity Components > V
Fluid Specific Initialization > Air > Initial Conditions 0 [m s^-1]
> Cartesian Velocity Components > W
Fluid Specific Initialization > Air > Initial Conditions Automatic
> Volume Fraction > Option
Fluid Specific Initialization

Watera

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water > Initial

Automatic with Value
Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > Option
Fluid Specific Initialization > Water > Initial
Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > U

0 [m s^-1]

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water > Initial

Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > V

0 [m s^-1]

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water > Initial

Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > W

0 [m s^-1]

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water > Initial

Conditions > Volume Fraction > Option

Automatic with Value

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water > Initial

Conditions > Volume Fraction > Volume Fraction

1b

Since there is no water entering or leaving the domain, a stationary initial guess is recommended.
The volume fractions must sum to unity over all fluids. Since a value has been set for water, the volume fraction of air will be calculated
as the remaining difference, in this case, 0.
b

3.

Click OK.

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Setting Solver Control

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Advection Scheme > Option

High Resolution

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

100a

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Physical Timescale

1 [s]

Convergence Criteria > Residual Target

1.0E-04b

Convergence Criteria > Conservation Target

(Selected)

Convergence Criteria > Conservation Target > 0.01

Value
a

For advice on setting time steps in multiphase simulations, see Timestepping (p. 173).
If you are using a maximum edge length of 0.005 m or less to produce a finer mesh, use a target residual of 1.0E-05 to obtain a more
accurate solution.
b

3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

BubbleColumn.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

Start the simulation from CFX-Solver Manager:

Note
If you are using a fine mesh for a formal quantitative analysis of the flow in the reactor, the solution
time will be significantly longer than for the coarse mesh. You can run the simulation in parallel to
reduce the solution time. For details, see Obtaining a Solution in Parallel (p. 102).
1.

Ensure Define Run is displayed.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

3.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

You will first create plots of velocity and volume fraction. You will then display the entire geometry.
Because the simulation in this tutorial is conducted on a coarse grid, the results are only suitable for a qualitative
demonstration of the multiphase capability of ANSYS CFX.
The following topics will be discussed:

Creating Water Velocity Vector Plots (p. 270)

Creating Volume Fraction Plots (p. 270)

Displaying the Entire Airlift Reactor Geometry (p. 272)

Creating Water Velocity Vector Plots

1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.

2.

Create a new vector plot named Vector 1.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Locations

SymP1

Definition > Variable

Water.Velocity

Range

User Specified

Min

0 [m s^-1]

Max

1 [m s^-1]

Symbol Size

0.3

Color

Symbol
4.

Click Apply.

5.

In the tree view, right-click Vector 1, select Duplicate, and click OK to accept the default name, Vector
2.

6.

Edit Vector 2.

7.

On the Geometry tab, set Definition > Variable to Air.Velocity and click Apply.

8.

Compare Vector 1 and Vector 2 by toggling the visibility of each one.

Zoom in as required.
Observe that the air flows upward, leaving the tank, at the degassing outlet.

Note that the air rises faster than the water in the riser and descends slower than the water in the downcomer.

Creating Volume Fraction Plots

Plot the volume fraction of air on the symmetry plane SymP1:
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.

2.

Turn on the visibility of SymP1.

3.

Edit SymP1.

4.

Apply the following settings to SymP1:

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Creating Volume Fraction Plots

5.

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Air.Volume Fraction

Range

User Specified

Min

Max

0.025

Click Apply.
Observe the volume fraction values throughout the domain.

6.

Turn off the visibility of SymP1.

Next, plot the volume fraction of air on each side of the draft tube:
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Y up).

2.

Turn on the visibility of DraftTube Downcomer Side.

3.

Modify DraftTube Downcomer Side by applying the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Air.Volume Fraction

Range

User Specified

Min

Max

0.025

4.

Click Apply.

5.

Rotate the plot in the viewer to see both sides of DraftTube Downcomer Side.
Notice that the plot appears on both sides of the DraftTube Downcomer Side boundary. When viewing
plots on internal surfaces, you must ensure that you are viewing the correct side. You will make use of the face
culling rendering feature to turn off the visibility of the plot on the side of the boundary for which the plot does
not apply.
The DraftTube Downcomer Side boundary represents the side of the internal surface in the downcomer
(in this case, outer) region of the reactor. To confirm this, you could make a vector plot of the variable Normal
(representing the face normal vectors) on the locator DraftTube Downcomer Side; the fluid is on the
side opposite the normal vectors.
In this case, you need to turn off the front faces of the plot; The front faces are, by definition, on the same
side of the plot as the normal vectors.

6.

Modify DraftTube Downcomer Side by applying the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Render

Show Faces > Face Culling

Front Faces

7.

Click Apply.

8.

Rotate the image in the viewer to see the effect of face culling on DraftTube Downcomer Side. You
should see that the color appears on the downcomer side only.

9.

Turn on the visibility of DraftTube Riser Side.

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Displaying the Entire Airlift Reactor Geometry

10. Color the DraftTube Riser Side object using the same color and rendering settings as for DraftTube
Downcomer Side.
The normal vectors for DraftTube Riser Side point opposite to those of DraftTube Downcomer
Side, so the faces on DraftTube Riser Side are plotted only on the riser (in this case, inner) side of
the airlift reactor.
Rotating the geometry will now correctly show the air volume fraction on each side of the draft tube.
Face culling was needed to prevent interference between the plots on each side of the draft tube. To demonstrate
this, try turning off face culling for DraftTube Downcomer Side and watch the effect on the riser side. You
might notice that the plot from the downcomer side interferes with, or even completely overrides, the riser-side plot.
Results may vary, which is why face culling should always be used to prevent possible interference.

Displaying the Entire Airlift Reactor Geometry

Display the entire airlift reactor geometry by expanding User Locations and Plots and double-clicking
the Default Transform object:
1.

2.

Apply the following settings to Default Transform:

Tab

Setting

Value

Definition

Instancing Info From Domain

(Cleared)

# of Copies

12

Apply Rotation

(Selected)

Apply Rotation > Method

Principal Axis

Apply Rotation > Axis

Apply Rotation > # of Passages

12

Click Apply.

Additional Fine Mesh Simulation Results

A formal analysis of this airlift reactor was carried out on a finer grid (having 21000+ nodes and a maximum edge
length of 0.005 m).
The analysis showed a region of air bubble recirculation at the top of the reactor on the downcomer side. This was
confirmed by zooming in on a vector plot of Air.Velocity on SymP1 near the top of the downcomer. A similar
plot of Water.Velocity revealed no recirculation of the water.
Other results of the simulation:

Due to their large 0.006 m diameter, the air bubbles quickly attained a significant terminal slip velocity (i.e.,
the terminal velocity relative to water). The resulting terminal slip velocity, obtained using the Grace drag model,
is consistent with the prediction by Maneri and Mendelson and the prediction by Baker and Chao. These
correlations predict a terminal slip velocity of about 0.23 m s-1 to 0.25 m s-1 for air bubbles of the diameter
specified.

The values of gas hold-up (the average volume fraction of air in the riser), the superficial gas velocity (the rising
velocity, relative to the reactor vessel, of gas bubbles in the riser, multiplied by the gas hold-up), and the liquid
velocity in the downcomer agree with the results reported by Garca-Calvo and Letn, for gas hold-up values
of 0.03 or less. At higher values of gas hold-up, the multifluid model does not account for pressure-volume
work transferred from gas to liquid due to isothermal expansion of the bubbles. The simulation therefore tends
to under-predict both the superficial gas velocity in the riser, and the liquid velocity in the downcomer for gas
hold-up values greater than 0.03.

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Additional Fine Mesh Simulation Results

Note
Multiphase results files contain the vector variable Fluid.Superficial Velocity defined
as Fluid.Volume Fraction multiplied by Fluid.Velocity. This is sometimes also referred
to as the fluid volume flux. The components of this vector variable are available as scalar variables
(for example, Fluid.Superficial Velocity X).
Many reference texts on airlift reactors cite the Hughmark correlation as a standard for gas hold-up and superficial
gas velocity in airlift reactors. However, the Hughmark correlation should not be used when liquid flow is concurrent
with gas at velocities exceeding 0.1 m/s. In the airlift reactor described in this tutorial, the liquid velocity in the riser
clearly exceeds 0.2 m/s, and the Hughmark correlation is therefore not applicable.

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Chapter 19. Air Conditioning Simulation

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 275)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 276)

Before You Begin (p. 277)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 277)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 278)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 288)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 288)

Further Steps (p. 291)

Important
You must have the required Fortran compiler installed and set in your system path in order to run this
tutorial. For details on which Fortran compiler is required for your platform, see the applicable ANSYS,
Inc. installation guide. If you are not sure which Fortran compiler is installed on your system, try running
the cfx5mkext command (found in <CFXROOT>/bin) from the command line and read the output
messages.

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Importing CEL expressions.

@REGION CEL syntax.

Setting up a user CEL function.

Setting up a monitor point to observe the temperature at a prescribed location.

Using the Monte Carlo radiation model with a directional source of radiation.

Post-processing a transient simulation.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Transient

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Thermal Energy

Radiation

Monte Carlo

Buoyant Flow
Boundary Conditions

Boundary Profile Visualization

Inlet (Profile)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Wall: No-Slip

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Wall: Adiabatic
Wall: Fixed Temperature

Output Control

Transient Results Files

Monitor Points

CEL (CFX Expression Language) User CEL Function

CFD-Post

Plots

Animation
Isosurface
Point
Slice Plane

Other

Text Label with Auto Annotation

Changing the Color Range
Legend
Time Step Selection
Transient Animation with Movie
Generation

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial simulates a room with a thermostat-controlled air conditioner.

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Before You Begin

The thermostat switches the air conditioner on and off based on the following data:

A set point of 22C (the temperature at or above which the air conditioner turns on)

A temperature tolerance of 2C (the amount by which cooling continues below the set point before the air
conditioner turns off)

The temperature at a wall-mounted thermometer

Air flows in steadily from an inlet vent on the ceiling, and flows out through a return-air vent near the floor. When
the air conditioner is turned on, the incoming air temperature is reduced compared to the outgoing air temperature.
When the air conditioner is turned off, the incoming air temperature is set equal to the outgoing air temperature.
Two windows allow sunlight to enter and heat the room. The walls (including a closed door) and windows are
assumed to be at a constant 26C. The simulation is transient, and continues long enough to allow the air conditioner
to cycle on and off.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

HVAC.pre

HVAC_expressions.ccl

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Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

HVACMesh.gtm

TStat_Control.F

Note
You must have a Fortran compiler installed on your system to perform this tutorial.
2.

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run HVAC.pre. For details, see
Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 288).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type HVAC.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > CFX Mesh.

The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

File name

HVACMesh.gtm

3.

Click Open.

4.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up) from the
shortcut menu.

Importing CEL Expressions

This tutorial uses several CEL expressions to store parameters and to evaluate other quantities that are required by
the simulation. Import all of the expressions from the provided file:
1.

Select File > Import > CCL.

2.

Ensure that Import Method is set to Append.

3.

Select HVAC_expressions.ccl, which should be in your working directory.

4.

Click Open.

The table below lists the expressions, along with the definition and information for each expression:
Expression
Name

Expression Definition

Information

ACOn

Thermostat
Function(TSensor,TSet,TTol,aitern)

On/off status of the air conditioner (determined by

calling a user CEL function with the thermometer

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Compiling the Fortran Subroutine for the Thermostat

Expression
Name

Expression Definition

Information
temperature, thermostat set point, and temperature
tolerance).

Cool TempCalc TVentOut - (HeatRemoved / (MassFlow *

1.004 [kJ kg^-1 K^-1 ]))

Temperature of air at the return-air vent (determined

by a CEL function).

Flowrate

0.06 [m^3 s^-1]

Volumetric flow rate of air entering the room.

HeatRemoved

1000 [J s^-1]

Rate of thermal energy removal when the air

conditioner is on.

MassFlow

1.185 [kg m^-3] * Flowrate

Mass flow rate of air entering the room.

TIn

ACOn*CoolTempCalc+(1-ACOn)*TVentOut Temperature of inlet vent air (a function of the air

conditioner on/off status, return-air vent
temperature, thermal energy removal rate, and mass
flow rate).

TSensor

probe(T)@Thermometer

Thermometer temperature (determined by a CEL

function that gets temperature data from a monitor
point).

TSet

22 [C]

Thermometer set point.

TTol

2 [K]

Temperature tolerance.

TVentOut

areaAve(T)@REGION:VentOut

Temperature of outlet vent air.

XCompInlet

5*(x-0.05 [m]) / 1 [m]

ZCompInlet

-1+XCompInlet

Direction vector components for guiding the inlet

vent air in a diverging manner as it enters the room.

tStep

3 [s]

Time step size.

tTotal

225 [s]

Total time.

The CEL function that evaluates the thermometer temperature relies on a monitor point that you will create later in
this tutorial.
The CEL expression for the air conditioner on/off status requires a compiled Fortran subroutine and a user CEL
function that uses the subroutine. These are created next, starting with the compiled subroutine.

Note
The expression for the return-air vent temperature, TVentOut, makes use of @REGION CEL syntax,
which indicates the mesh region named VentOut, rather than a boundary named VentOut. For details
about @REGION CEL syntax, see Using Locators in Expressions (p. 134) in the ANSYS CFX Reference
Guide.

Compiling the Fortran Subroutine for the Thermostat

A Fortran subroutine that simulates the thermostat is provided in the installation directory for your software
(<CFXROOT>/examples/). Before the subroutine can be used, it must be compiled for your platform.
You can compile the subroutine at any time before running CFX-Solver. The operation is performed at this point
in the tutorial so that you have a better understanding of the values you need to specify in CFX-Pre when creating
a User CEL Function. The cfx5mkext command is used to compile the subroutine as described below.
1.

Copy the subroutine TStat_Control.F to your working directory (if you have not already done so).

2.

Examine the contents of this file in any text editor to gain a better understanding of this subroutine.

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Creating a User CEL Function for the Thermostat

This file was created by modifying the ucf_template.F file, which is available in the
<CFXROOT>/examples/ directory.
3.

Select Tools > Command Editor.

4.

Type the following command in the Command Editor dialog box (make sure you do not miss the semicolon
at the end of the line):
! system ("cfx5mkext TStat_Control.F") == 0 or die "cfx5mkext failed";

This is equivalent to executing the following at an OS command prompt:

cfx5mkext TStat_Control.F

5.

The ! indicates that the following line is to be interpreted as power syntax and not CCL. Everything after
the ! symbol is processed as Perl commands.

system is a Perl function to execute a system command.

The == 0 or die will cause an error message to be returned if, for some reason, there is an error in
processing the command.

Click Process to compile the subroutine.

Note
You can use the -double option (i.e., cfx5mkext -double TStat_Control.F) to compile
the subroutine for use with double precision CFX-Solver executables.
A subdirectory will have been created in your working directory whose name is system dependent (e.g., on Linux
it is named linux). This sub directory contains the shared object library.

Note
If you are running problems in parallel over multiple platforms then you will need to create these
subdirectories using the cfx5mkext command for each different platform.

You can view more details about the cfx5mkext command by running cfx5mkext -help.

You can set a Library Name and Library Path using the -name and -dest options respectively.

If these are not specified, the default Library Name is that of your Fortran file and the default Library Path is
your current working directory.

Close the Command Editor dialog box.

Creating a User CEL Function for the Thermostat

The expression for the air conditioner on/off status is named ACOn. This expression consists of a call to a user CEL
function, Thermostat Function, which needs to be created.
Before you create the user CEL function, you will first create a user routine that holds basic information about the
compiled Fortran subroutine. You will then create a user function, Thermostat Function, so that it is associated
with the user routine.
Create the user routine:
1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Expressions, Functions and Variables > User Routine or click User
Routine

2.

Set the name to Thermostat Routine.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Option

User CEL Function

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Setting the Analysis Type

Tab

Setting

Value

Calling Name

ac_ona

Library Name

TStat_Controlb

Library Path

(Working Directory)c

This is the name of the subroutine within the Fortran file. Always use lower case letters for the calling name, even if the subroutine name
in the Fortran file is in upper case.
b
This is the name passed to the cfx5mkext command by the -name option. If the -name option is not specified, a default is used. The
default is the Fortran file name without the .F extension.
c
Set this to your working directory.

4.

Click OK.

Create the user CEL function:

1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Expressions, Functions and Variables > User Function or click User
Function

2.

Set the name to Thermostat Function.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Option

User Function

User Routine Name

Thermostat Routine

Argument Units

[K], [K], [K], []a

Result Units

[]b

These are the units for the four input arguments: TSensor, TSet, TTol, and aitern.
The result will be a dimensionless flag with a value of 0 or 1.

4.

Click OK.

Setting the Analysis Type

This is a transient simulation. The total time and time step are specified by expressions that you imported earlier.
Use these expressions to set up the Analysis Type information:
1.

Click Analysis Type

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Analysis Type > Option

Transient

Analysis Type > Time Duration > Option Total Time

Analysis Type > Time Duration > Total
Time

tTotal

Analysis Type > Time Steps > Option

Timesteps

Analysis Type > Time Steps > Timesteps tStep

Analysis Type > Initial Time > Option

Automatic with Value

Analysis Type > Initial Time > Time

0 [s]

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Creating the Domain

3.

Click OK.

Creating the Domain

The domain that models the room air should model buoyancy, given the expected temperature differences, air
speeds, and the size and geometry of the room. The domain must model radiation, since directional radiation
(representing sunlight) will be emitted from the windows.
Create the domain:
1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned on.
A domain named Default Domain should appear under the Simulation branch.

2.

Edit Default Domain and apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

B1.P3

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 > Air Ideal Gas
Material
Domain Models > Pressure > Reference
Pressure

1 [atm]

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Option

Buoyant

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity X 0 [m s^-2]

Dirn.
Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity Y 0 [m s^-2]
Dirn.
Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity Z -g
Dirn.
Domain Models > Buoyancy > Buoy. Ref. 1.2 [kg m^-3]
Density
Fluid Models

3.

Heat Transfer > Option

Thermal Energy

Thermal Radiation > Option

Monte Carlo

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

In this section you will define several boundaries:

An inlet vent that injects air into the room.

A return-air vent that lets air leave the room.

Fixed-temperature windows that emit directed radiation.

Fixed-temperature walls.

Inlet Boundary
Create a boundary for the inlet vent, using the previously-loaded expressions for mass flow rate, flow direction,
and temperature:
1.

Create a boundary named Inlet.

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Creating the Boundaries

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

Inlet

Mass and Momentum > Option

Mass Flow Rate

Boundary Details

Mass and Momentum > Mass Flow Rate MassFlow

Plot Options

3.

Flow Direction > Option

Cartesian Components

Flow Direction > X Component

XCompInlet

Flow Direction > Y Component

Flow Direction > Z Component

ZCompInlet

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

TIn

Boundary Vector

(Selected)

Boundary Vector > Profile Vec. Comps.

Cartesian Components

Click OK.
The viewer shows the inlet velocity profile applied at the inlet, which uses the expressions XCompInlet and
ZCompInlet to specify a diverging flow pattern.

Note
Ignore the physics errors that appear. They will be fixed by setting up the rest of the simulation.
The error concerning the expression TIn is due to a reference to Thermometer which does not
yet exist. A monitor point named Thermometer will be created later as part of the output control
settings.

Outlet Boundary
Create a boundary for the return-air vent, specifying a relative pressure of 0 Pa:
1.

Create a boundary named VentOut.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

VentOut

Mass and Momentum > Option

Average Static Pressure

Boundary Details

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure 0 [Pa]

3.

Click OK.

Window Boundary
To model sunlight entering the room, the windows are required to emit directional radiation. To approximate the
effect of the outdoor air temperature, assume that the windows have a fixed temperature of 26C.
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Creating the Boundaries

Create a boundary for the windows using a fixed temperature of 26C and apply a radiation source of 600 W m^-2
in the (1, 1, -1) direction:
1.

Create a boundary named Windows.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

Window1,Window2

Heat Transfer > Option

Temperature

Heat Transfer > Fixed Temperature

26 [C]

Boundary Source

(Selected)

Boundary Source > Sources

(Selected)

Boundary Details

Sources

3.

Create a new radiation source item by clicking Add new item

4.

Apply the following settings to Radiation Source 1:

5.

6.

and accepting the default name.

Setting

Value

Option

Directional Radiation Flux

Radiation Flux

600 [W m^-2]

Direction > Option

Cartesian Components

Direction > X Component

Direction > Y Component

Direction > Z Component

-1

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Plot Options

Boundary Vector

(Selected)

Boundary Vector > Profile Vec. Comps.

Cartesian Components in
Radiation Source 1

Click OK.
The direction of the radiation is shown in the viewer.

Default Wall Boundary

The default boundary for any undefined surface in CFX-Pre is a no-slip, smooth, adiabatic wall. For this simulation,
assume that the walls have a fixed temperature of 26C. A more detailed simulation would model heat transfer
through the walls.
For radiation purposes, assume that the default wall is a perfectly absorbing and emitting surface (emissivity = 1).
Set up the default wall boundary:
1.

Edit the boundary named Default Domain Default.

2.

Apply the following settings:

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Setting Initial Values

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Heat Transfer > Option

Temperature

Heat Transfer > Fixed Temperature

26 [C]

Thermal Radiation > Option

Opaque

Thermal Radiation > Emissivity

Click OK.

Because this boundary is opaque with an emissivity of 1, all of the radiation is absorbed and none of the radiation
is reflected. With no reflected radiation, the Diffuse Fraction setting has no effect. For lower values of emissivity,
some radiation is reflected, and the Diffuse Fraction setting controls the fraction of the reflected radiation that is
diffuse, with the remainder being specular (directional).
The default wall boundary includes the Door region, which is modeled as a wall (closed door) for simplicity. Since
the Door region is part of the entire default boundary, it will not appear in the Wireframe object that appears in
the viewer when the results file of the simulation is opened in CFD-Post, but it can still be viewed as a mesh region.

Setting Initial Values

1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Global Settings

Initial Conditions > Velocity Type

Cartesian

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > U

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > V

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > W

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Static Pressure >

Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Static Pressure >

Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Initial Conditions > Temperature > Option Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Temperature >
Temperature

22 [C]

Initial Conditions > Turbulence > Option Intensity and Length Scale
Initial Conditions > Turbulence >
Fractional Intensity > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Turbulence >

Fractional Intensity > Value

0.05

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Setting Solver Control

Tab

Setting

Value

Initial Conditions > Turbulence > Eddy

Length Scale > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Turbulence > Eddy

Length Scale > Value

0.25 [m]

Initial Conditions > Radiation Intensity > Automatic with Value

Option
Initial Conditions > Radiation Intensity > (Selected)
Blackbody Temperature
Initial Conditions > Radiation Intensity > 22 [C]a
Blackbody Temperature > Blackbody
Temp.
a

The initial blackbody temperature of the air should be set to the initial temperature of the air.

3.

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

In a typical transient simulation, there should be sufficient coefficient loops per time step to achieve convergence.
In order to reduce the time required to run this particular simulation, reduce the maximum number of coefficient
loops per time step to 3:
1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following setting:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Max. Coeff. Loops 3

Click OK.

Setting Output Control

Set up the solver to output transient results files that record pressure, radiation intensity, temperature, and velocity,
on every time step:
1.

Click Output Control

2.

Click the Trn Results tab.

3.

In the Transient Results list box, click Add new item

click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings to Transient Results 1:

, set Name to Transient Results 1, and

Setting

Value

Option

Selected Variables

Output Variables Lista

Pressure, Radiation Intensity,

Temperature, Velocity

Output Variable Operators

(Selected)

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Setting Output Control

Setting

Value

Output Variable Operators > Output Var.

Operators

Allb

Output Frequency > Option

Every Timestep

Use the Ctrl key to select more than one variable.

This causes the gradients of the selected variables to be written to the transient results files, along with other information.

To create the thermostat thermometer, set up a monitor point at the thermometer location. Also set up monitors to
track the expressions for the temperature at the inlet, the temperature at the outlet, and the on/off status of the air
conditioner.
1.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Monitor

Monitor Options

(Selected)

2.

Create a new Monitor Points and Expressions item named Thermometer.

3.

Apply the following settings to Thermometer:

Setting

Value

Output Variables List

Temperature

Cartesian Coordinates

2.95, 1.5, 1.25

4.

Create a new Monitor Points and Expressions item named Temp at Inlet.

5.

Apply the following settings to Temp at Inlet:

Setting

Value

Option

Expression

Expression Value

TIn

6.

Create a new Monitor Points and Expressions item named Temp at VentOut.

7.

Apply the following settings to Temp at VentOut:

Setting

Value

Option

Expression

Expression Value

TVentOut

8.

Create a new Monitor Points and Expressions item named ACOnStatus.

9.

Apply the following settings to ACOnStatus:

Setting

Value

Option

Expression

Expression Value

ACOn

10. Click OK.

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

HVAC.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

When CFX-Pre has shut down and CFX-Solver Manager has started, start the solver and view the monitor points
as the solution progresses:
1.

Click Start Run.

After a few minutes, a User Points tab will appear.
On that tab, plots will appear showing the values of the monitor points:

ACOnStatus

Temp at Inlet

Temp at VentOut

Thermometer (Temperature)

2.

Click one of the plot lines to see the value of the plot variable at that point.

3.

It is difficult to see the plot values because all of the monitor points are plotted on the same scale. To see the
plots in more detail, try displaying subsets of them as follows:
1.

Right-click in the plot area and select Monitor Properties from the shortcut menu.

2.

In the Monitor Properties dialog box, on the Plot Lines tab, expand the USER POINT branch in the
tree.

3.

Clear the check boxes beside all of the monitor points except ACOnStatus, then click Apply.

4.

Observe the plot for ACOnStatus.

You might have to move the dialog box out of the way to see the plot.

5.

In the Monitor Properties dialog box, toggle each of the check boxes beside the monitor points, so that
all of the monitor points are selected except for ACOnStatus, then click Apply.

6.

Observe the plots for Temp at Inlet, Temp at VentOut, and Thermometer (Temperature).

7.

Click OK to close the Monitor Properties dialog box.

4.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

5.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

6.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

You will first create some graphic objects to visualize the temperature distribution and the thermometer location.
You will then create an animation to show how the temperature distribution changes.

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Creating Graphics Objects

Creating Graphics Objects

In this section, you will create two planes and an isosurface of constant temperature, all colored by temperature.
You will also create a color legend and a text label that reports the thermometer temperature.

Creating Planes
In order to show the key features of the temperature distribution, create two planes colored by temperature as follows:
1.

Load the res file (HVAC_001.res) if you did not elect to load the results directly from CFX-Solver Manager.

2.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer, select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).

3.

Create a ZX-Plane named Plane 1 with Y=1.5 [m]. Color it by Temperature using a user specified
range from 19 [C] to 23 [C]. Turn off lighting (on the Render tab) so that the colors are accurate and can
be interpreted properly using the legend.

4.

Create an XY plane named Plane 2 with Z=0.35 [m]. Color it using the same settings as for the first
plane, and turn off lighting.

Creating an Isosurface
In order to show the plumes of cool air from the inlet vent, create a surface of constant temperature as follows:
. The Timestep Selector dialog box appears.

1.

Click Timestep Selector

2.

Double-click the value: 12 s.

The time step is set to 12 s so that the cold air plume is visible.

3.

Create an isosurface named Cold Plume as a surface of Temperature = 19 C.

4.

Color the isosurface by Temperature (select Use Plot Variable) and use the same color range as for
the planes. Although the color of the isosurface will not show variation (by definition), it will be consistent
with the coloration of the planes.

5.

On the Render tab for the isosurface, set Transparency to 0.5. Leave lighting turned on to help show the
3D shape of the isosurface.

6.

Click Apply.

Note
The isosurface will not be visible in some time steps, but you will be able to see it when playing
the animation (a step carried out later).

Adjusting the Legend

The legend title should not name the locator of any particular object since all objects are colored by the same variable
and use the same range. Remove the locator name from the title and, in preparation for making an MPEG video
later in this tutorial, increase the text size:
1.

Edit Default Legend View 1.

2.

On the Definition tab, change Title Mode to Variable.

This will remove the locator name from the legend.

3.

4.

Click the Appearance tab, then:

1.

Change Precision to 2, Fixed.

2.

Change Text Height to 0.03.

Click Apply.

Creating a Point for the Thermometer

In the next section, you will create a text label that displays the value of the expression TSensor, which represents
the thermometer temperature. During the solver run, this expression was evaluated using a monitor point named
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Creating an Animation
Thermometer. Although this monitor point data is stored in the results file, it cannot be accessed. In order to
support the expression for TSensor, create a point called Thermometer at the same location:
1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Location > Point.

2.

Set Name to Thermometer.

3.

Set Point to (2.95,1.5,1.25).

4.

Click Apply.
A marker appears at the thermometer location in the viewer.

Creating a Text Label

Create a text label that shows the currently-selected time step and thermometer temperature.
1.

Click Text

2.

Accept the default name and click OK.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Definition

Text String

Time Elapsed:

Embed Auto Annotation

(Selected)a

Type

Time Value

The full text string should now be Time Elapsed: <aa>. The <aa> string represents the location where text is to be substituted.

4.

Click More to add a second line of text to the text object.

5.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Definition

Text String

Sensor Temperature:

(the second one)

Appearance

Embed Auto Annotation

(Selected)

Type

Expression

Expression

TSensor

Height

0.03

6.

Click Apply.

7.

Ensure that the visibility for Text 1 is turned on.

The text label appears in the viewer, near the top.

Creating an Animation
1.

Ensure that the view is set to Isometric View (Z up).

2.

Click Timestep Selector

3.

Double-click the first time value (0 s).

4.

In the toolbar at the top of the window click Animation

5.

In the Animation dialog box, select the Keyframe Animation option.

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Further Steps

6.

Click New

to create KeyframeNo1.

7.

Select KeyframeNo1, then set # of Frames to 200, then press Enter while in the # of Frames box.

Tip
Be sure to press Enter and confirm that the new number appears in the list before continuing.
This will place 200 intermediate frames between the first and (yet to be created) second key frames, for a total
of 202 frames. This will produce an animation lasting about 8.4 s since the frame rate will be 24 frames per
second. Since there are 76 unique frames, each frame will be shown at least once.
8.

Use the Timestep Selector to load the last time value (225 s).

9.

In the Animation dialog box, click New

to create KeyframeNo2.

The # of Frames parameter has no effect for the last keyframe, so leave it at the default value.
to expand the Animation dialog box.

10. Click More Animation Options

11. Select Save Movie.
12. Set Format to MPEG1.

13. Specify a file name for the movie file.

14. Click the Options button.
15. Change Image Size to 720 x 480 (or a similar resolution).
16. Click the Advanced tab, and note the Quality setting. If your movie player cannot play the resulting MPEG,
you can try using the Low or Custom quality settings.
17. Click OK.
18. Click To Beginning

to rewind the active key frame to KeyframeNo1.

19. Click Save animation state

and save the animation to a file. This will enable you to quickly restore the
animation in case you want to make changes. Animations are not restored by loading ordinary state files (those
with the .cst extension).
20. Click Play the animation

21. If prompted to overwrite an existing movie, click Overwrite.

The animation plays and builds an mpg file.
22. When you have finished, quit CFD-Post.

Further Steps

This tutorial uses an aggressive flow rate of air, a coarse mesh, large time steps, and a low cap on the maximum
number of coefficient loops per time step. Running this tutorial with a flow rate of air that is closer to 5 changes
of air per hour (0.03 m3 s-1), a finer mesh, smaller time steps, and a larger cap on the maximum number of
coefficient loops, will produce more accurate results.

Running this simulation for a longer total time will allow you to see more on/off cycles of the air conditioner.

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Chapter 20. Combustion and Radiation in a

Can Combustor
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 293)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 294)

Using Eddy Dissipation and P1 Models (p. 296)

Before You Begin (p. 296)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 296)

Defining a Case Using Eddy Dissipation and P1 Models in CFX-Pre (p. 297)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 302)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 303)

Defining a Simulation Using Laminar Flamelet and Discrete Transfer Models in ANSYS CFX-Pre (p. 305)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 309)

Viewing the Results in ANSYS CFD-Post (p. 309)

Further Postprocessing (p. 311)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Creating thin surfaces for the inlet vanes.

Using a Reacting Mixture.

Using the Eddy Dissipation combustion model.

Using the Flamelet Model.

Changing the combustion model in a simulation.

Using the P1 radiation model in CFX-Pre.

Using the Discrete Transfer radiation model in CFX-Pre.

Using the NOx model in CFX-Pre.

Changing object color maps in CFD-Post to prepare a grayscale image.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

Reacting Mixture

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Thermal Energy

Combustion
Radiation
Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Adiabatic
Wall: Thin Surface

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Plots

Outline Plot (Wireframe)

Sampling Plane
Slice Plane
Vector

Other

Changing the Color Range

Color map
Legend
Quantitative Calculation

Overview of the Problem to Solve

The can combustor is a feature of the gas turbine engine. Arranged around a central annulus, can combustors are
designed to minimize emissions, burn very efficiently and keep wall temperatures as low as possible. This tutorial
is designed to give a qualitative impression of the flow and temperature distributions inside a can combustor that
burns methane in air. The basic geometry is shown below with a section of the outer wall cut away.

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial demonstrates two combustion and radiation model combinations. The simulation in the first part of
this tutorial uses the Eddy Dissipation combustion model and the P1 radiation model. The simulation in the second
part of this tutorial uses the Laminar Flamelet combustion model and the Discrete Transfer radiation model. The
NOx model is also included.
Different radiation models are used in this tutorial for demonstration purposes; the radiation models are independent
of the combustion models.
See Which Model is the Most Appropriate? (p. 230) in the ANSYS CFX-Solver Modeling Guide for a comparison
of the available combustion models:

Eddy Dissipation

Finite Rate Chemistry

Combined EDM/FRC

Laminar Flamelet

Burning Velocity

Due to the fact that the fuel (methane) and oxidizer (air) undergo fast combustion (whereby the combustion rate
is dominated by the rate of mixing of the materials), the Finite Rate Chemistry model is not a suitable combustion
model for the combustor in this tutorial. The Combined EDM/FRC model capability is a superset of the Eddy
Dissipation model capability, and has no benefit over the Eddy Dissipation model in this case. In fact, the convergence
behavior of the Combined EDM/FRC model may be worse than that of the Eddy Dissipation model.
The Eddy Dissipation model, the Laminar Flamelet model, and the Burning Velocity model are suitable for modeling
fast combustion. The Burning Velocity model capability is a superset of the Flamelet model capability, with the
extra capability of being able to handle premixed fuel/oxidizer. Because the combustor in this tutorial does not use
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Using Eddy Dissipation and P1 Models

premixed fuel/oxidizer, the extra capability of the Burning Velocity model is not required and therefore it is sufficient
to use the Flamelet model.
The Eddy Dissipation model tracks each individual chemical species (except for the constraint material) with its
own transport equation. This model is flexible in that you can readily add new materials, such as additional fuels,
to the simulation without complications. A limitation of this model is that radical or intermediate species, such as
CO, cannot be calculated with adequate accuracy. This may lead to over-prediction of flame temperature, in particular
in fuel-rich regions.
The Laminar Flamelet model can simulate the products of incomplete combustion; for this reason, it generally
provides a more accurate solution than the Eddy Dissipation model. One drawback of the Flamelet model is that it
requires the availability of a flamelet library suited for the required fuel/oxidizer combination over the pressure and
temperature ranges of interest.
The NO models used in the two parts of this tutorial are very similar. The only difference is in how the O-radical
concentration is obtained for the 'Thermal NO' formation step:

Eddy Dissipation model: The O-radical is not a component of the mixture; instead, its concentration is estimated
using the O2 concentration and temperature.

Flamelet model: The O-radical concentration is calculated from the Flamelet library, where its concentration
information is directly available.

For details on the Thermal NO mechanism, see Thermal NO (p. 220) in the ANSYS CFX-Solver Theory Guide.

Using Eddy Dissipation and P1 Models

In this first part of the tutorial, you will create a simulation that uses the Eddy Dissipation combustion model and
the P1 radiation model. If you want to use the Flamelet combustion model and Discrete Transfer radiation model
instead, see Defining a Simulation Using Laminar Flamelet and Discrete Transfer Models in ANSYS CFX-Pre (p. 305),
otherwise continue from this point.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

CombustorMesh.gtm

CombustorEDM.pre

CombustorFlamelet.pre

CombustorEDM.cfx

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

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Defining a Case Using Eddy Dissipation and P1 Models in CFX-Pre

Defining a Case Using Eddy Dissipation and P1

Models in CFX-Pre
If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run CombustorEDM.pre. For
details, see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver
Manager (p. 302).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
You will first define a domain that includes a variable composition mixture. These mixtures are used to model
combusting and reacting flows in CFX.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type CombustorEDM.

5.

Click Save.

6.

If prompted, click Overwrite.

This file is provided in the tutorial directory and may exist in your working directory if you have copied it
there.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other. The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

2.

Apply the following setting

3.

Setting

Value

File name

CombustorMesh.gtm

Click Open.

Creating a Reacting Mixture

To allow combustion modeling, you must create a variable composition mixture.

To create the variable composition mixture

1.

Create a new material named Methane Air Mixture.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Option

Reacting Mixture

Material Group

Gas Phase Combustion

Reactions List

Methane Air WD1 NO PDF

[1 (p. 298)]

Mixture
Properties

Mixture Properties

(Selected)

Mixture Properties > Radiation Properties >

Refractive Index

(Selected) [2 (p. 298)]

Mixture Properties > Radiation Properties >

Absorption Coefficient

(Selected)

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Creating the Domain

Tab

Setting

Value

Mixture Properties > Radiation Properties >

Scattering Coefficient

(Selected)

Footnotes
1.

The Methane Air WD1 NO PDF reaction specifies complete combustion of the fuel into
its products in a single-step reaction. The formation of NO is also modeled and occurs in an
additional reaction step. Click
Library Data

2.

3.

to display the Reactions List dialog box, then click Import

and select the appropriate reaction to import.

Setting the radiation properties explicitly will significantly shorten the solution time because
the CFX-Solver will not have to calculate radiation mixture properties.

Click OK.

Creating the Domain

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned on. A domain named Default Domain should now appear under the Simulation branch.

2.

Double-click Default Domain and apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

B152, B153, B154,

B155, B156

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 > Material

Methane Air Mixture

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure

1 [atm] [1 (p. 298)]

Heat Transfer > Option

Thermal Energy

Combustion > Option

Eddy Dissipation

Combustion > Eddy Dissipation Model Coefficient B

(Selected)

Combustion > Eddy Dissipation Model Coefficient B >

EDM Coeff. B

0.5 [2 (p. 298)]

Thermal Radiation > Option

P1

Component Models > Component > N2

(Selected)

Component Models > N2 > Option

Constraint

Fluid Models

Footnotes

3.

1.

It is important to set a realistic reference pressure in this tutorial because the components of
Methane Air Mixture are ideal gases.

2.

This includes a simple model for partial premixing effects by turning on the Product Limiter.
When it is selected, non-zero initial values are required for the products. The products limiter
is not recommended for multi-step eddy dissipation reactions, and so is set for this single step
reaction only.

Click OK.
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Creating the Boundaries

Creating the Boundaries

Fuel Inlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named fuelin.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

fuelin

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed

40 [m s^-1]

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

300 [K]

Component Details

CH4

Component Details > CH4 > Mass Fraction

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Bottom Air Inlet Boundary

Two separate boundary conditions will be applied for the incoming air. The first is at the base of the can combustor.
The can combustor employs vanes downstream of the bottom air inlet to give the incoming air a swirling velocity.
1.

Create a new boundary named airin.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

airin

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed

10 [m s^-1]

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

300 [K]

Component Details

O2

Component Details > O2 > Mass Fraction

0.232 [1 (p. 299)]

Boundary Details

Footnote
1.
3.

The remaining mass fraction at the inlet will be made up from the constraint component, N2.

Click OK.

Side Air Inlet Boundary

The secondary air inlets are located on the side of the vessel and introduce extra air to aid combustion.
1.

Create a new boundary named secairin.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

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Creating the Boundaries

Tab

Boundary Details

Setting

Value

Location

secairin

Mass and Momentum > Option

Normal Speed

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed

6 [m s^-1]

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

300 [K]

Component Details

O2

Component Details > O2 > Mass Fraction

0.232 [1 (p. 300)]

Footnote
1.
3.

The remaining mass fraction at the inlet will be made up from the constraint component, N2.

Click OK.

Outlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named out.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

out

Mass and Momentum > Option

Average Static Pressure

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Vanes Boundary
The vanes above the main air inlet are to be modeled as thin surfaces. To create a vane as a thin surface in CFX-Pre,
you must specify a wall boundary on each side of the vanes.
You will first create a new region which contains one side of each of the eight vanes.
1.

Create a new composite region named Vane Surfaces.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Dimension (Filter)

2D [1 (p. 300)]

Region List

F129.152, F132.152, F136.152,

F138.152, F141.152, F145.152,
F147.152, F150.152

Footnote
1.

This will filter out the 3D regions, leaving only 2D regions

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Setting Initial Values

3.

Click OK.

4.

Create another composite region named Vane Surfaces Other Side.

5.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Dimension (Filter)

2D

Region List

F129.153, F132.153, F136.154,

F138.154, F141.155, F145.155,
F147.156, F150.156

6.

Click OK.

7.

Create a new boundary named vanes.

8.

Apply the following settings

9.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

Vane Surfaces, Vane Surfaces

Other Side

Click OK.

Default Wall Boundary

The default boundary for any undefined surface in CFX-Pre is a no-slip, smooth, adiabatic wall.

For radiation purposes, the wall is assumed to be a perfectly absorbing and emitting surface (emissivity = 1).

The wall is non-catalytic, i.e., it does not take part in the reaction.

Since this tutorial serves as a basic model, heat transfer through the wall is neglected. As a result, no further boundary
conditions need to be defined.

Setting Initial Values

1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Global
Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > Option Automatic with Value
Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > U

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > V

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > W

5 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Component Details

O2

Initial Conditions > Component Details > O2> Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Component Details > O2 > Mass Fraction 0.232 [1 (p. 302)]
Initial Conditions > Component Details

CO2

Initial Conditions > Component Details > CO2 > Option

Automatic with Value

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Setting Solver Control

Tab

Setting

Value

Initial Conditions > Component Details > CO2 > Mass

Fraction

0.01

Initial Conditions > Component Details

H2O

Initial Conditions > Component Details> H2O > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Component Details > H2O > Mass

Fraction

0.01

Footnote
1.

3.

The initial conditions assume the domain consists mainly of air and the fraction of oxygen in
air is 0.232. A small mass fraction of reaction products (CO2 and H2O) is needed for the EDM
model to initiate combustion.

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

100

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control >

Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control >

Physical Timescale

0.025 [s]

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

CombustorEDM.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

The CFX-Solver Manager will be launched after CFX-Pre saves the CFX-Solver input file. You will be able to
obtain a solution to the CFD problem by following the instructions below.

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

Note
If a fine mesh is used for a formal quantitative analysis of the flow in the combustor, the solution time
will be significantly longer than for the coarse mesh. You can run the simulation in parallel to reduce
the solution time. For details, see Obtaining a Solution in Parallel (p. 102).
1.

Ensure Define Run is displayed.

CFX-Solver Input File should be set to CombustorEDM.def.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed stating that the run has finished.

3.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

When CFD-Post opens, experiment with the Edge Angle setting for the Wireframe object and the various rotation
and zoom features in order to place the geometry in a sensible position. A setting of about 8.25 should result in a
detailed enough geometry for this exercise.

Temperature Within the Domain

1.

Create a new plane named Plane 1.

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

ZX Plane

Color

Mode

Variable

Mode > Variable

Temperature

Click Apply.

The large area of high temperature through most of the vessel is due to forced convection.

Note
Later in this tutorial (see Defining a Simulation Using Laminar Flamelet and Discrete Transfer Models
in ANSYS CFX-Pre (p. 305)), the Laminar Flamelet combustion model will be used to simulate the
combustion again, resulting in an even higher concentration of high temperatures throughout the
combustor.

The NO Concentration in the Combustor

In the next step you will color Plane 1 by the mass fraction of NO to view the distribution of NO within the
domain. The NO concentration is highest in the high temperature region close to the outlet of the domain.
1.

Modify the plane named Plane 1.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode > Variable

NO.Mass Fraction

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Printing a Greyscale Graphic

3.

Click Apply.

Printing a Greyscale Graphic

Here you will change the color map (for Plane 1) to a greyscale map. The result will be a plot with different
levels of grey representing different mass fractions of NO. This technique is especially useful for printing, to a black
and white printer, any image that contains a color map. Conversion to greyscale by conventional means (i.e., using
graphics software, or letting the printer do the conversion) will generally cause color legends to change to a non-linear
distribution of levels of grey.
1.

Modify the plane named Plane 1.

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Color Map

Inverse Greyscale

Click Apply.

Calculating NO Mass Fraction at the Outlet

The emission of pollutants into the atmosphere is always a design consideration for combustion applications. In the
next step, you will calculate the mass fraction of NO in the outlet stream.
1.

Select Tools > Function Calculator or click the Calculators tab and select Function Calculator.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Function Calculator Function

3.

Value
massFlowAve

Location

out

Variable

NO.Mass Fraction

Click Calculate.

A small amount of NO is released from the outlet of the combustor. This amount is lower than can normally be
expected, and is mainly due to the coarse mesh and the short residence times in the combustor.

Viewing Flow Field

To investigate the reasons behind the efficiency of the combustion process, you will next look at the velocity vectors
to show the flow field. You may notice a small recirculation in the center of the combustor. Running the problem
with a finer mesh would show this region to be a larger recirculation zone. The coarseness of the mesh in this tutorial
means that this region of flow is not accurately resolved.
1.

Select the Outline tab.

2.

Under User Locations and Plots, clear Plane 1.

Plane 1 is no longer visible.

3.

Create a new vector named Vector 1.

4.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Locations

Plane 1

Symbol

Symbol Size

2
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Viewing Radiation
5.

Click Apply.

6.

Create a new plane named Plane 2.

7.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

XY Plane

Definition > Z

0.03

Plane Bounds > Type

Rectangular

Plane Bounds > X Size

0.5 [m]

Plane Bounds > Y Size

0.5 [m]

Plane Type > Sample

(Selected)

Plane Type > X Samples

30

Plane Type > Y Samples

30

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Render
8.

Click Apply.

9.

Modify Vector 1.

10. Apply the following setting

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Locations

Plane 2

11. Click Apply.

To view the swirling velocity field, right-click in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.
You may also want to turn off the wireframe visibility. In the region near the fuel and air inlets, the swirl component
of momentum (theta direction) results in increased mixing with the surrounding fluid and a higher residence time
in this region. As a result, more fuel is burned.

Viewing Radiation
Try examining the distribution of Incident Radiation and Radiation Intensity throughout the
domain.
When you are finished, quit CFD-Post.

Defining a Simulation Using Laminar Flamelet and

Discrete Transfer Models in ANSYS CFX-Pre
In this second part of the tutorial, you will start with the simulation from the first part of the tutorial and modify it
to use the Laminar Flamelet combustion model and the Discrete Transfer radiation model. Running the simulation
a second time will demonstrate the differences in the combustion models, including the variance in carbon dioxide
distribution, which is shown below.

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Playing a Session File

Playing a Session File

If you want to set up the simulation automatically and continue to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver
Manager (p. 309), run CombustorFlamelet.pre.

Creating a New Case

1.

If you have not completed the first part of this tutorial, or otherwise do not have the simulation file from the
first part, start CFX-Pre and then play the session file CombustorEDM.pre. The simulation file
CombustorEDM.cfx will be created. Be sure to close the case once the session has been played.

2.

If CFX-Pre is not already running, start it and load the simulation called CombustorEDM.cfx.
The simulation from the first part of this tutorial is loaded.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Save the simulation as CombustorFlamelet.cfx.

This creates a separate simulation file which will be modified to use the Laminar Flamelet and Discrete Transfer
models.

Modifying the Reacting Mixture

A flamelet library will be used to create the variable composition mixture.
1.

Expand Materials and open Methane Air Mixture for editing.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Reactions List

Methane Air FLL STP and NO PDF [1 (p. 307)]

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Modifying the Domain

Footnote
1.

Click the Ellipsis icon

Data

3.

to display the Reactions List dialog box, then click Import Library

and select the appropriate reaction to import.

Click OK.

Note
Some physics validation messages appear after this reaction is selected. In this situation, the messages
can be safely ignored as the physics will be corrected once the domains and boundary conditions
are modified.

Modifying the Domain

1.

Double-click the Default Domain.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Models

Combustion > Option

PDF Flamelet

Thermal Radiation > Option

Discrete Transfer

Component Models > Component

N2

Component Models > Component > N2 > Option Constraint

Component Models > Component

NO

Component Models > Component > NO > Option Transport Equation

Component Models > Component

(All other components)

[1 (p. 307)]

Component Models > Component > (All other

components) > Option

Automatic

Footnote
1.
3.

Select these one at a time and check each of them.

Click OK.

Modifying the Boundaries

Fuel Inlet Boundary
1.

Modify the boundary named fuelin.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Mixture > Option

Fuel

Component Details

NO

Component Details > NO > Option

Mass Fraction

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Setting Initial Values

Tab

3.

Setting

Value

Component Details > NO > Mass Fraction

Click OK.

Bottom Air Inlet Boundary

1.

Modify the boundary named airin.

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Mixture > Option

Oxidizer

Component Details

NO

Component Details > NO > Option

Mass Fraction

Component Details > NO > Mass Fraction

Click OK.

Side Air Inlet Boundary

1.

Modify the boundary named secairin.

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Mixture > Option

Oxidizer

Component Details

NO

Component Details > NO > Option

Mass Fraction

Component Details > NO > Mass Fraction

Click OK.

Setting Initial Values

1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Global
Settings

Initial Conditions > Component Details

NO

Initial Conditions > Component Details > NO > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Component Details > NO > Mass

Fraction

Click OK.

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Setting Solver Control

Setting Solver Control

To reduce the amount of CPU time required for solving the radiation equations, you can select to solve them only
every 10 iterations.
.

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Advanced
Options

Dynamic Model Control > Global Dynamic Model Control

(Selected)

Thermal Radiation Control

(Selected)

Thermal Radiation Control > Iteration Interval

(Selected)

Thermal Radiation Control > Iteration Interval > Iteration Interval 10

3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

CombustorFlamelet.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

When CFX-Solver Manager has started, you can obtain a solution to the CFD problem by using the following
procedure:
1.

Ensure Define Run is displayed.

CFX-Solver Input File should be set to CombustorFlamelet.def.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.

3.

When CFX-Solver is finished, select the check box next to Post-Process Results.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in ANSYS CFD-Post

In this section, you will plot the Temperature in the Domain, the NO Concentration in the Combustor, and the CO
Concentration. You will also use the Function Calculator to calculate the NO Concentration, and the CO Mass
Fraction at the Outlet.

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Viewing Temperature within the Domain

Viewing Temperature within the Domain

1.

Create a new plane named Plane 1.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

ZX Plane

Definition > Y

Mode

Variable

Mode > Variable

Temperature

Color

3.

Click Apply.

Viewing the NO Concentration in the Combustor

1.

Modify the plane named Plane 1.

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode > Variable

NO.Mass Fraction

Click Apply.

Calculating NO Concentration
The next calculation shows the amount of NO at the outlet.
1.

Select Tools > Function Calculator or click the Calculators tab and select Function Calculator.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Function Calculator Function

3.

Value
massFlowAve

Location

out

Variable

NO.Mass Fraction

Click Calculate.

Viewing CO Concentration
The next plot will show the concentration of CO (carbon monoxide), which is a by-product of incomplete combustion
and is poisonous in significant concentrations. As you will see, the highest values are very close to the fuel inlet
and in the regions of highest temperature.
1.

Modify the plane named Plane 1.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode > Variable

CO.Mass Fraction

Range

Local
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Calculating CO Mass Fraction at the Outlet

3.

Click Apply.

Calculating CO Mass Fraction at the Outlet

In the next step, you will calculate the mass fraction of CO in the outlet stream.
1.

Select Tools > Function Calculator or click the Calculators tab and select Function Calculator.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Function Calculator Function

3.

Value
massFlowAve

Location

out

Variable

CO.Mass Fraction

Click Calculate.
There is approximately 0.4% CO by mass in the outlet stream.

Further Postprocessing
1.

Try putting some plots of your choice into the Viewer. You can plot the concentration of other species and
compare values to those found for the Eddy Dissipation model.

2.

Examine the distribution of Incident Radiation and Radiation Intensity throughout the domain.

3.

Load one combustion model, then load the other using the Keep current cases loaded option in the Load
Results File dialog box. You can compare both models in the viewer at once, in terms of mass fractions of
various materials, as well as total temperature and other relevant measurements.

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Chapter 21. Cavitation Around a Hydrofoil

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 313)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 314)

Before You Begin (p. 314)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 314)

Creating an Initial Simulation (p. 315)

Obtaining an Initial Solution using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 319)

Viewing the Results of the Initial Simulation (p. 319)

Preparing a Simulation with Cavitation (p. 322)

Obtaining a Cavitation Solution using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 324)

Viewing the Results of the Cavitation Simulation (p. 324)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Modeling flow with cavitation.

Using vector reduction in CFD-Post to clarify a vector plot with many arrows.

Importing and exporting data along a polyline.

Plotting computed and experimental results.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Isothermal

Multiphase
Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Symmetry Plane
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Free-Slip

Timestep
CFX-Solver Manager

Restart

CFD-Post

Plots

Physical Time Scale

Contour
Line Locator
Polyline

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Slice Plane
Streamline
Vector

Other

Chart Creation
Data Export
Printing
Title/Text
Variable Details View

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This example demonstrates cavitation in the flow of water around a hydrofoil. A two-dimensional solution is obtained
by modeling a thin slice of the hydrofoil and using two symmetry boundary conditions.

In this tutorial, an initial solution with no cavitation is generated to provide an accurate initial guess for a full
cavitation solution, which is generated afterwards.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

HydrofoilExperimentalCp.csv

HydrofoilGrid.def

HydrofoilIni.pre

Hydrofoil.pre

HydrofoilIni_001.res
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Creating an Initial Simulation

2.

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Creating an Initial Simulation

This section describes the step-by-step definition of the flow physics in CFX-Pre.

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run HydrofoilIni.pre. For
details, see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining an Initial Solution using CFX-Solver
Manager (p. 319).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type HydrofoilIni.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other. The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

2.

Apply the following settings

Setting

Value

Files of type

CFX-Solver Input (*.def, *.res, *.trn, *.bak)

File name

HydrofoilGrid.def

3.

Click Open.

4.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.

Loading Materials
Since this tutorial uses Water Vapour at 25 C and Water at 25 C, you need to load these materials.
1.

In the Outline tree view, right-click Materials and select Import Library Data.
The Select Library Data to Import dialog box is displayed.

2.

Expand Water Data.

3.

Select both Water Vapour at 25 C and Water at 25 C by holding Ctrl when selecting.

4.

Click OK.

Creating the Domain

The fluid domain used for this simulation contains liquid water and water vapor. The volume fractions are initially
set so that the domain is filled entirely with liquid.
1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned on. A domain named Default Domain should now appear under the Simulation > Flow
Analysis 1 branch.

2.

Double-click Default Domain.

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Creating the Boundaries

3.

Under Fluid and Particle Definitions, delete Fluid 1 and create a new fluid definition called Liquid
Water.
Use the

button to create another fluid named Water Vapor.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Liquid Water

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Liquid Water > Material Water at 25 C
Fluid and Particle Definitions

Water Vapor

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Water Vapor > Material

Water Vapour at 25 C

[1 (p. 316)]

Fluid Models

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference Pressure

0 [atm]

Multiphase > Homogeneous Model

(Selected)

Heat Transfer > Option

Isothermal

Heat Transfer > Fluid Temperature

300 [K]

Turbulence > Option

k-Epsilon

Footnote
1.
4.

These two fluids have consistent reference enthalpies.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

The simulation requires inlet, outlet, wall and symmetry plane boundaries. The regions for these boundaries were
imported with the grid file.

Inlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named Inlet.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

IN

Mass And Momentum > Normal Speed

16.91 [m s^-1]

Turbulence > Option

Intensity and Length Scale

Turbulence > Fractional Intensity

0.03

Turbulence > Eddy Length Scale

0.0076 [m]

Boundary Conditions

Liquid Water

Boundary Details

Fluid Values

Boundary Conditions > Liquid Water > Volume 1

Fraction > Volume Fraction

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Creating the Boundaries

Tab

3.

Setting

Value

Boundary Conditions

Water Vapor

Boundary Conditions > Water Vapor > Volume

Fraction > Volume Fraction

Click OK.

Outlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named Outlet.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

OUT

Mass And Momentum > Option

Static Pressure

Mass And Momentum > Relative Pressure

51957 [Pa]

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Free Slip Wall Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named SlipWalls.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

BOT, TOP

Mass And Momentum > Option

Free Slip Wall

Boundary Details
3.

Click OK.

Symmetry Plane Boundaries

1.

Create a new boundary named Sym1.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

SYM1

3.

Click OK.

1.

Create a new boundary named Sym2.

2.

Apply the following settings

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Setting Initial Values

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

SYM2

Click OK.

Setting Initial Values

1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Global
Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > Option Automatic with Value

Fluid
Settings

3.

Value

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > U

16.91 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > V

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > W

0 [m s^-1]

Fluid Specific Initialization

Liquid Water

Fluid Specific Initialization > Liquid Water > Initial

Conditions > Volume Fraction > Option

Automatic with Value

Fluid Specific Initialization > Liquid Water > Initial

Conditions > Volume Fraction > Volume Fraction

Fluid Specific Initialization

Water Vapor

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water Vapor > Initial

Conditions > Volume Fraction > Option

Automatic with Value

Fluid Specific Initialization > Water Vapor > Initial

Conditions > Volume Fraction > Volume Fraction

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

100

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Physical Timescale

0.01 [s]

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Note
For the Convergence Criteria, an RMS value of at least 1e-05 is usually required for adequate
convergence, but the default value is sufficient for demonstration purposes.
3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Setting

Value

File name

HydrofoilIni.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

Quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining an Initial Solution using CFX-Solver

Manager
While the calculations proceed, you can see residual output for various equations in both the text area and the plot
area. Use the tabs to switch between different plots (e.g., Momentum and Mass, Turbulence Quantities, etc.) in
the plot area. You can view residual plots for the fluid and solid domains separately by editing the workspace
properties.
1.

Ensure that the Define Run dialog box is displayed.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.

3.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results of the Initial Simulation

The following topics will be discussed:

Plotting Pressure Distribution Data (p. 319)

Exporting Pressure Distribution Data (p. 321)

Saving the Post-Processing State (p. 322)

Plotting Pressure Distribution Data

In this section, you will create a plot of the pressure coefficient distribution around the hydrofoil. The data will then
be exported to a file for later comparison with data from the cavitating flow case, which will be run later in this
tutorial.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.

2.

Insert a new plane named Slice.

3.

Apply the following settings

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Plotting Pressure Distribution Data

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

XY Plane

Definition > Z

5e-5 [m]

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Render
4.

Click Apply.

5.

Create a new polyline named Foil by selecting Insert > Location > Polyline from the main menu.

6.

Apply the following settings

7.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Method

Boundary Intersection

Boundary List

Default Domain Default

Intersect With

Slice

Click Apply.
Zoom in on the center of the hydrofoil (near the cavity) to confirm the polyline wraps around the hydrofoil.

8.

Define the following expressions, remembering to click Apply after entering each definition:
Name

Definition

PCoef

(Pressure-51957[Pa])/(0.5*996.2[kg m^-3]*16.91[m s^-1]^2)

FoilChord

(X-minVal(X)@Foil)/(maxVal(X)@Foil-minVal(X)@Foil) [1 (p. 320)]

Footnote
1.

9.

This creates a normalized chord, measured in the X direction, ranging from 0 at the leading
edge to 1 at the trailing edge of the hydrofoil.

Create a new variable named Pressure Coefficient.

10. Apply the following settings

Setting

Value

Method

Expression

Scalar

(Selected)

Expression

PCoef

11. Click Apply.

12. Create a new variable named Chord.
13. Apply the following settings
Setting

Value

Method

Expression

Scalar

(Selected)

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Exporting Pressure Distribution Data

Setting

Value

Expression

FoilChord

14. Click Apply.

Note
Although the variables that were just created are only needed at points along the polyline, they exist
throughout the domain.
Now that the variables Chord and Pressure Coefficient exist, they can be associated with the previously
defined polyline (the locator) to form a chart line. This chart line will be added to the chart object, which is created
next.
1.

Select Insert > Chart from the main menu.

2.

Set the name to Pressure Coefficient Distribution.

3.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

General

Title

Pressure Coefficient Distribution

Data Series

Name

Solver Cp

Location

Foil

Data Selection > Variable

Chord

X Axis

Axis Range > Determine ranges automatically (Cleared)

Y Axis

Axis Range > Min

Axis Range > Max

Axis Labels > Use data for axis labels

(Cleared)

Axis Labels > Custom Label

Normalized Chord Position

Data Selection > Variable

Pressure Coefficient

Axis Range > Determine Ranges Automatically (Cleared)

Axis Range > Min

-0.5

Axis Range > Max

0.4

Axis Range > Invert Axis

(Selected)

Axis Labels > Use data for axis labels

(Cleared)

Axis Labels > Custom Label

Pressure Coefficient

4.

Click Apply.

5.

The chart appears on the Chart Viewer tab.

Exporting Pressure Distribution Data

You will now export the chord and pressure coefficient data along the polyline. This data will be imported and used
in a chart later in this tutorial for comparison with the results for when cavitation is present.
1.

Select File > Export. The Export dialog box appears

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Saving the Post-Processing State

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Options

File

NoCavCpData.csv

Locations

Foil

Export Geometry Information

(Selected) [1 (p. 322)]

Select Variables

Chord, Pressure Coefficient

Footnote
1.
3.

This causes X, Y, Z data to be included in the export file.

Click Save.
The file NoCavCpData.csv will be written in the working directory.

Saving the Post-Processing State

If you are running CFD-Post in Standalone Mode, you will need to save the post-processing state for use later in
this tutorial, as follows:
1.

Select File > Save State As.

2.

Under File name type Cp_plot, then click Save.

In the next part of this tutorial, the solver will be run with cavitation turned on. Similar post-processing follows,
and the effect of cavitation on the pressure distribution around the hydrofoil will be illustrated in a chart.

Preparing a Simulation with Cavitation

Earlier in this tutorial, you ran a simulation without cavitation. The solution from that simulation will serve as the
starting point for the next simulation, which involves cavitation.

Modifying the Initial Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically and continue to Obtaining a Cavitation Solution using CFX-Solver
Manager (p. 324), run Hydrofoil.pre.
1.

If CFX-Pre is not already running, start it.

2.

Select File > Open Case.

3.

Select HydrofoilIni_001.res and click Open.

4.

Save the case as Hydrofoil.cfx.

Adding Cavitation
1.

Double-click Default Domain in the Outline tree view.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Pair
Models

Fluid Pairs > Liquid Water | Water Vapor >

Mass Transfer > Option

Cavitation

Fluid Pairs > Liquid Water | Water Vapor >

Mass Transfer > Cavitation > Saturation
Pressure

(Selected)

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Modifying Solver Control

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Pairs > Liquid Water | Water Vapor >

Mass Transfer > Cavitation > Saturation
Pressure > Saturation Pressure

3574 [Pa] [1 (p. 323)]

Footnote
1.

3.

Although saturation pressure is optional, it must be set for this example. It is optional because
saturation pressure can also be set by setting a homogeneous binary mixture, but one has not
been used in this tutorial.

Click OK.

Modifying Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

150 [1 (p. 323)]

Footnote
1.
3.

This allows up to 150 further iterations, when run as a restart.

Click OK.

Modifying Execution Control

1.

Click Execution Control

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Run Definition

Solver Input File

Hydrofoil.def [1 (p. 323)]

Footnote
1.

You do not need to set the path unless you are planning on saving the solver file somewhere
other than the working directory.

3.

Confirm that the rest of the execution control settings are set appropriately.

4.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File and
execution control settings are set.
2.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

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Obtaining a Cavitation Solution using CFX-Solver Manager

Obtaining a Cavitation Solution using CFX-Solver

Manager
1.

Ensure the Define Run dialog box is displayed.

CFX-Solver Input File should be set to Hydrofoil.def.

2.

Apply the following settings to set the Initial Values File.

Tab

Setting

Value

Run Definition

Initial Values Specification

Selected

Initial Values Specification > Initial Values Initial Values 1

Initial Values Specification > Initial Values HydrofoilIni_001.res
> Initial Values 1 Settings > File Name
[1 (p. 324)]

Footnote
1.

Click Browse

and select the file from the working directory.

This is the solution from the starting-point run.

3.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.

4.

Click Yes to post-process the results.

5.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Solver Manager.

Viewing the Results of the Cavitation Simulation

You will restore the state file saved earlier in this tutorial while preventing the first solution (which has no cavitation)
from loading. This will cause the plot of pressure distribution to use data from the currently loaded solution (which
has cavitation). Data from the first solution will be added to the chart object by importing NoCavCpData.csv
(the file that was exported earlier). A file containing experimental data will also be imported and added to the plot.
The resulting chart will show all three sets of data (solver data with cavitation, solver data without cavitation, and
experimental data).

Note
The experimental data is provided in <CFXROOT>/examples/HydrofoilExperimentalCp.csv
which must be copied to your working directory before proceeding with this part of the tutorial.

Note
If using ANSYS Workbench, CFD-Post will already be in the state in which you left it in the first part
of this tutorial. In this case, proceed to step 5 below.
1.

Select File > Load State.

2.

Clear Load results.

3.

Select Cp_plot.cst.

4.

Click Open.

5.

Click the Chart Viewer tab.

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Viewing the Results of the Cavitation Simulation

6.

Edit Report > Pressure Coefficient Distribution.

7.

Click the Data Series tab.

8.

Apply the following setting:

Tab

Setting

Value

Data Series

Name

Solver Cp - with cavitation

This reflects the fact that the user-defined variable Pressure Coefficient is now based on the current
results.
9.

Click Apply.
You will now add the chart line from the first simulation.

10. Create a new polyline named NoCavCpPolyline.

11. Apply the following setting:
Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

File

NoCavCpData.csv

12. Click Apply.

The data in the file is used to create a polyline with values of Pressure Coefficient and Chord stored
at each point on it.
13. Edit Report > Pressure Coefficient Distribution.
14. Click the Data Series tab.
15. Click New

16. Select Series 2 from the list box.

17. Apply the following settings:
Tab

Setting

Value

Data Series

Name

Solver Cp - no cavitation

Location

NoCavCpPolyline

Custom Data Selection

(Selected)

X Axis > Variable

Chord on NoCavCpPolyline

Y Axis > Variable

Pressure Coefficient on NoCavCpPolyline

18. Click Apply.

The chart line (containing data from the first solution) is created, added to the chart object, and displayed on
the Chart Viewer tab.
You will now add a chart line to show experimental results.
19. Click New

20. Apply the following settings

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Viewing the Results of the Cavitation Simulation

Tab

Setting

Value

Data Series

Name

Experimental Cp - with
cavitation

Data Source > File

(Selected)

Data Source > File

HydrofoilExperimentalCp.csv

Line Display > Line Style

Automatic

Line Display > Symbols

Rectangle

Line Display

21. Click Apply.

The chart line (containing experimental data) is created, added to the chart object, and displayed on the Chart
Viewer tab.
22. If you want to save an image of the chart, select File > Save Picture from the main menu while the Chart
Viewer tab is selected. This will allow you to save the chart to an image file.
23. When you are finished, close CFD-Post.

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Chapter 22. Fluid Structure Interaction and

Mesh Deformation
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 327)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 328)

Before You Begin (p. 329)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 329)

Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre (p. 330)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 337)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 338)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Moving mesh

Fluid-solid interaction (without modeling solid deformation)

Movie creation

Monitoring points.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Transient

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

None

Output Control
CEL (CFX Expression Language)
Boundary Conditions

Opening
Symmetry
Wall

Timestep

Transient

Transient Results File

CFD-Post

Plots

Animation
Point
Slice Plane
Vector

Other

Opening

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327

Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Symmetry Plane
Wall: No Slip
Wall: Moving

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial uses an example of ball check-valve to demonstrate two-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI) between
a ball and a fluid, and mesh deformation capabilities using ANSYS CFX. A sketch of geometry, modeled as a 2-D
slice (0.1 mm thick), is shown below.

Check valves are commonly used to allow unidirectional flow of liquids and act as pressure-relieving devices. The
check valve for this tutorial comprises of a ball connected to a spring, with a stiffness constant of 300 N/m. The
ball is made of steel with density of 7800 kg/m3 and 4 mm diameter. The liquid medium for this tutorial comprises
of a tank region filled with Methanol (CH4O) at 25 C and 1 atm, which is located below the valve housing region.
High pressure from the liquid (6 atm relative pressure at the tank opening) causes the ball to move up, thus allowing
the fluid to leave. The spring pushes the ball downward when the ball is raised above its initial position. The pressure
variation causes the ball to oscillate along y-axis as a result of an imbalance in the spring forces; the ball stops
moving when forces on it are in equilibrium. The forces on the ball are the force due to the spring (not shown in
the figure) and the force due to fluid flow. Gravity is neglected here for simplicity. The ball is represented as a
cavity region in the mesh.

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Modeling the Ball Dynamics

This tutorial explores the fluid mesh deformation resulting due to the fluid-solid interaction between the ball and
the surrounding fluid; the deformation of ball itself is not modeled. CEL expressions are used to account for the
motion of the ball, determined by solving a solid dynamics equation that depends upon the forces acting on the ball.

Modeling the Ball Dynamics

When defining your own simulations, the mesh motion may already be known. In such cases, it can be specified
explicitly using the CEL. In this tutorial, the mesh motion is not known a priori, and will be calculated using the
forces that act on the ball. Before setting up the simulation for this tutorial, this section outlines the basis of dynamics
equation that describes the motion of the ball.
According to Newton's Second Law, the time rate of change in the ball's linear momentum is proportional to the
net force acting on the ball. In differential form, the equation to be solved for the motion of the ball is:

mBall

d
dt

( velBall) = FFlow FSpring

(Eq. 22.1)

where mBall is the mass of the ball (which is constant), velBall is the velocity of the ball in the y coordinate direction,
FFlow is the flow (viscous and drag) force acting on the ball, and FSpring is the spring force acting on the ball.
The left hand side of the equation is discretized to include an expression for the new displacement of the ball (relative
to the spring's neutral position). The time derivative of the ball velocity is discretized as:
d
dt

( velBall) =

velBallNew velBallOld
tStep

(Eq. 22.2)

where velBallNew is further discretized as:

velBallNew =

dBallNew dBallOld
tStep

(Eq. 22.3)

The new displacement of the ball also appears in the expression for spring force:

FSpring = kSpring dBallNew

(Eq. 22.4)

The discrete form of the equation of motion for the ball is re-assembled, and the ball displacement is isolated as:

dBallNew =

mBall velBallOld mBall dBallOld

+
FFlow +

tStep
tStep 2

mBall
kSpring+

tStep 2

(Eq. 22.5)

No further substitutions are required because all of these quantities are available through the CFX Expression
Language as presented later in this tutorial.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

ValveFSI.pre

ValveFSI_expressions.ccl

ValveFSI.out

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

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Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre

This section describes the step-by-step definition of the flow physics in CFX-Pre as outlined below:

Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre (p. 330)

Importing the Mesh (p. 330)

Importing the Required Expressions (p. 330)

Setting the Analysis Type (p. 331)

Creating the Domain (p. 332)

Creating the Subdomain (p. 333)

Creating the Boundaries (p. 333)

Setting Initial Values (p. 335)

Setting Solver Control (p. 336)

Setting Output Control (p. 336)

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File (p. 337)

Defining a Simulation in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run ValveFSI.pre. For details,
see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 337).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type ValveFSI.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other. The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

Files of type

PATRAN Neutral

File name

ValveFSI.out

Options > Mesh Units

mm [1 (p. 330)]

Footnote
1.

3.

This mesh was created using units of millimeters; however, the units are not stored with this
type of mesh. Set Mesh Units to mm when importing the mesh into CFX-Pre so that the mesh
remains the intended size.

Click Open.

Importing the Required Expressions

The expressions created in this step will determine the motion of the ball.
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Setting the Analysis Type

These expressions are provided in a CCL file. By importing the expression, you avoid the need to type each of the
expressions by hand.
1.

Select File > Import > CCL.

This file is located in the working directory.

2.

Select ValveFSI_expressions.ccl
This file contains following expressions that are used later in the tutorial:
Expression
Name

Purpose

Definition

tStep

5.0e-5 [s]

These expressions define the values for duration and

timesteps that were chosen to study the transient
response of ball under the effect of spring forces and
the forces due to fluid flow.

tTotal

7.5e-3 [s]

dBallNew

dBallNumer/dBallDenom

This expression defines the ball motion required for

the specification of mesh motion for the ball boundary.
For details, see Modeling the Ball Dynamics.

kSpring

300 [N m^-1]

denBall

7800 [kg m^-3]

These are intermediate expressions used for the

calculation of dBallNew.

volBall

pi * (2.0 [mm])^2 * 1e-4 [m]

mBall

denBall * volBall

FFlow

force_y()@Ball

velBallOld

areaAve(Mesh Velocity v)@Ball

[1 (p. 331)]

dBallOld [1 (p. 331)] areaAve(Total Mesh Displacement

Y)@Ball
dBallNumer

FFlow + mBall*velBallOld/tStep
+ mBall*dBallOld/tStep^2

dBallDenom

kSpring+mBall/tStep^2

Footnote
1.

These expressions use areaAve function calls that are evaluated using solution data from the
end of the previous time step; These calls are not updated during the solution of the mesh
displacement equations. Thus, dBallOld and velBallOld represent the required old values.

3.

Ensure that Import Method is set to Append.

4.

Click Open.

You can review the imported expressions in the tree view.

Setting the Analysis Type

1.

Click Analysis Type

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Analysis Type > Option

Transient

Analysis Type > Time Duration > Total Time tTotal

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Creating the Domain

Tab

3.

Setting

Value

Analysis Type > Time Steps > Timesteps

tStep

Analysis Type > Initial Time > Time

0 [s]

Click OK.

Note
You may ignore the physics validation message regarding the lack of transient results files. You will set
up transient results files later.

Creating the Domain

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned on.
A domain named Default Domain should appear under the Simulation branch.

2.

Double-click Default Domain and apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

CV3D REGION, CV3D SUB

Location and Type > Domain Type

Fluid Domain

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 >

Material

Methanol CH4O [1 (p. 332)]

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference

Pressure

1 [atm]

Domain Models > Mesh Deformation >

Option

Regions of Motion Specified

[2 (p. 333)]

Domain Models > Mesh Deformation > Mesh (Expand)

Motion Model
Domain Models > Mesh Deformation > Mesh Increase Near Small Volumes
Motion Model > Mesh Stiffness > Option
Fluid Models

Heat Transfer > Option

Isothermal

Heat Transfer > Fluid Temperature

25 [C]

Footnotes
1.

To make Methanol an available option:

a.

Click the Ellipsis icon

to open the Material dialog box.

b.

Click the Import Library Data icon

dialog box.

c.

In that dialog box, expand Constant Property Liquids in the tree, select
Methanol CH4O, and click OK.

d.

Select Methanol CH4O in the Material dialog box and click OK.

to open the Select Library Data to Import

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Creating the Subdomain

2.

3.

The Regions of Motion Specified option permits wall boundaries and subdomains to move,
and makes mesh motion settings available.

Click OK.

Creating the Subdomain

1.

Create a new subdomain named Tank.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location

CV3D SUB

Mesh Motion

Option

Stationary [1 (p. 333)]

Footnote
1.

3.

The stationary option for the tank volume (subdomain) ensures that the mesh does not fold at
the sharp corner that exists where the valve joins the tank.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

This section outlines the steps for creating the following boundary conditions and applying the mesh deformation
specifications. The regions for these boundary conditions were imported with the mesh file.

Ball Boundary (p. 333)

Symmetry Boundary (p. 334)

Vertical-Valve Wall Boundary (p. 334)

Tank Opening Boundary (p. 334)

Valve Opening Boundary (p. 335)

Mesh deformation specifications are applied to two and three dimensional regions of the domain (that is, to boundaries
and subdomains, respectively). For example, the Ball boundary uses mesh motion specification in the form of
ball displacement, which is given by the expression dBallNew. However, mesh deformation specifications are
also used in this tutorial to help ensure that the mesh does not fold, as set for the Tank subdomain, earlier in the
tutorial, and the TankOpen boundary (see below).

Ball Boundary
To move the ball, create a wall boundary with a displacement in the Y direction given by the expression dBallNew.
1.

Create a new boundary named Ball.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

BALL

Boundary Details

Mass And Momentum > Wall Velocity Relative (Selected)

To
Mass And Momentum > Wall Velocity Relative Mesh Motion
To > Wall Vel. Rel. To

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Creating the Boundaries

Tab

3.

Setting

Value

Mesh Motion > Option

Specified Displacement

Mesh Motion > X Component

0 [m]

Mesh Motion > Y Component

dBallNew

Mesh Motion > Z Component

0 [m]

Click OK.

Symmetry Boundary
Because a 2D representation of the flow field is being modeled (using a 3D mesh with one element thickness in the
Z direction), symmetry boundaries will be created on the low and high Z 2D regions of the mesh.
1.

Create a new boundary named Sym.

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

SYMP1, SYMP2

Click OK.

Vertical-Valve Wall Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named ValveVertWalls.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

VPIPE HIGHX, VPIPE LOWX

Boundary Details

Mass And Momentum > Wall Velocity Relative (Selected)

To
Mass And Momentum > Wall Velocity Relative Boundary Frame
To > Wall Vel. Rel. To
Mesh Motion > Option

Unspecified [1 (p. 334)]

Footnote
1.

3.

The Unspecified setting allows the mesh nodes to move freely. The motion of the mesh points
on this boundary will be strongly influenced by the motion of the ball. Because the ball moves
vertically, the surrounding mesh nodes will also move vertically and will therefore remain on
the valve housing. This mesh motion specification helps to preserve the quality of the mesh
on the upper surface of the ball.

Click OK.

Tank Opening Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named TankOpen.

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Setting Initial Values

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Opening

Location

BOTTOM

Mass And Momentum > Option

Entrainment

Mass And Momentum > Relative Pressure

6 [atm] [1 (p. 335)]

Turbulence > Option

Zero Gradient

Mesh Motion > Option

Stationary [2 (p. 335)]

Boundary Details

Footnotes

3.

1.

This value is based on the problem statement. Remember to use the [atm] units for this setting.

2.

The stationary option for the tank opening prevents the mesh nodes from moving (If the tank
opening had unspecified mesh motion, the mesh nodes on this boundary would move vertically
and separate from the non-vertical parts of the boundary).

Click OK.

Valve Opening Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named ValveOpen.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Opening

Location

TOP

Mass And Momentum > Option

Entrainment

Mass And Momentum > Relative Pressure

0 [atm] [1 (p. 335)]

Turbulence > Option

Zero Gradient

Mesh Motion > Option

Stationary [2 (p. 335)]

Boundary Details

Footnotes

3.

1.

This pressure value is relative to the fluid domain's reference pressure of 1 [atm].

2.

The stationary option for the valve opening prevents the mesh nodes from moving.

Click OK.

Note
Opening boundary types are used to allow the flow to leave and re-enter the domain across the inflow
and outflow boundaries. This behavior is expected due to the oscillatory motion of the ball and due to
the potentially large region of flow re-circulation that will occur on the downstream side of the ball.

Setting Initial Values

Because a transient simulation is being modeled, initial values are required for all variables.
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Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Global Initialization

The Global Initialization form will appear with the Option for each variable set to Automatic with
Value.
2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Global Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > U

0 [m s^-1]
[1 (p. 336)]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > V

0.1 [m s^-1]
[2 (p. 336)]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity Components > W

0 [m s^-1]
[1 (p. 336)]

Initial Conditions > Static Pressure > Relative Pressure

0 [Pa]

Footnotes

3.

1.

This setting implies that the fluid flow is initially in the y direction only.

2.

This is an initial velocity to maintain unidirectional fluid flow in the positive y-direction and
to prevent initial backflow in the check-valve. The actual values could be derived from the
steady state analysis (not considered for this tutorial).

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Transient Scheme > Option

Second Order Backward Euler

Convergence Control > Max. Coeff. Loops 5

3.

Click OK.

Setting Output Control

This step sets up transient results files to be written at set intervals.
1.

Click Output Control

2.

Click the Trn Results tab.

3.

In the Transient Results tree view, click Add new item

click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings to Transient Results 1:

, set Name to Transient Results 1, and

Setting

Value

Option

Selected Variables

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Setting

Value

Output Variables List [1 (p. 337)]

Pressure, Velocity

Output Variable Operators

(Selected)

Output Variable Operators > Output Var. Operators

All [2 (p. 337)]

Output Frequency > Option

Time Interval

Output Frequency > Time Interval

tStep

Footnotes
1.

Use the Ctrl key to select more than one variable.

2.

This causes the gradients of the selected variables to be written to the transient results files,
along with other information.

5.

Click the Monitor tab.

6.

Select Monitor Options.

7.

Under Monitor Points and Expressions:

8.

1.

Click Add new item

2.

Set Name to Ball Displacement.

3.

Set Option to Expression.

4.

Set Expression Value to dBallOld.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

ValveFSI.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If you are notified the file already exists, click Overwrite.

This file is provided in the tutorial directory and may exist in your working directory if you have copied it
there.

5.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

The steps to begin the solver run are outlined below:
1.

In CFX-Solver Manager, ensure that Define Run dialog box is displayed.

If CFX-Solver Manager is launched from CFX-Pre, the information required to perform a solver run is entered
automatically in the Define Run dialog box.

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

2.

Click Start Run.

The solver run begins and the progress is displayed in a split screen.

3.

Click the User Points tab and monitor the value of Ball Displacement as the solution proceeds.
The largest value of ball displacement occurs at around 20th timestep and the oscillations begin to settle down
after around 100 timesteps.

4.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

5.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

6.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

This section outlines the following steps for creating the user locations, plots, and animation in CFD-Post. You will
create an XY plane that lies midway between the two symmetry planes. The plane will be used to show mesh
movement; it will also serve as a locator for a vector plot that will be used in an animation.

Creating a Slice Plane (p. 338)

Creating a Point (p. 338)

Creating an Animation with Velocity Vectors (p. 338)

Creating a Slice Plane

1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.

2.

Create a new plane and accept the default name.

3.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

XY Plane

Definition > Z

5e-05 [m] [1 (p. 338)]

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Render

Footnote
1.
4.

This setting creates an XY plane that lies midway between the two symmetry planes.

Click Apply to create the plane.

Creating a Point
1.

Create a point at (0, 0.0003, 0.0001) using the XYZ method. This is a reference point for the low Y
point of the ball at timestep 0. Click Apply.

2.

and load the results for a few different timesteps, selecting one entry at a time.
Click Timestep Selector
For example, double-click rows with the step values of 0, 10, 20, 50, and 90 to see the ball in different positions.
The mesh deformation will also be visible.

The maximum displacement, which was also monitored earlier in the CFX-Solver, occurs at around 20 timesteps
before the ball reaches equilibrium.

Creating an Animation with Velocity Vectors

You will create a vector plot and create an animation showing the velocity in the domain as the ball is displaced.
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Creating an Animation with Velocity Vectors

1.

Turn off the visibility of Plane 1.

2.

Create a vector plot, set Locations to Plane 1 and leave Variable set to Velocity. Click Apply.

3.

Using the timestep selector, load time value 0.

4.

Click Animation

found in the toolbar.

The Animation dialog box appears.

5.

In the Animation dialog box, apply the following settings:

1.

Select Keyframe Animation.

2.

Click New

3.

Highlight KeyframeNo1, then change # of Frames to 148. This will produce an animation keyframe
at each time step, resulting in a movie that plays for just over six seconds.

to create KeyframeNo1.

6.

Load the last timestep (150) using the timestep selector.

7.

In the Animation dialog box, apply the following settings:

1.

Click New

to create KeyframeNo2.

The # of Frames parameter has no effect for the last keyframe, so leave it at the default value.
to expand the Animation dialog box.

2.

Click More Animation Options

3.

Click the Options button to open the Animation Options dialog box.

4.

On the Options tab, change Image Size to 720 X 480 (NTSC).

5.

Click the Advanced tab, then set Quality to Custom.

6.

Clear Variable Bit Rate and set Bit Rate to 3000000.

This limits the bit rate so that the movie will play in most players. You can lower this value if your player
cannot handle this bit rate.

7.

Click OK.

8.

Select Save Movie.

9.

Set Format to MPEG1.

10. Click Browse

next to Save Movie and set a file name for the movie file.

If the file path is not given, the file will be saved in the working directory.
11. Click Open. This sets the movie file name and path, but does not create the movie.
12. If frame 1 is not loaded (shown in the F: text box at the bottom of the Animation dialog box), click
to load it.
To Beginning
Wait for CFD-Post to finish loading the objects for this frame before proceeding.
13. Click Play the animation

The movie is created as the animation proceeds. This will be slow because a timestep must be loaded and
objects must be created for each frame. To view the movie file, you need to use a viewer that supports
the MPEG format.
8.

When you have finished, exit from CFD-Post.

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Chapter 23. Oscillating Plate with Two-Way

Fluid-Structure Interaction
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 341)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 342)

Before You Begin (p. 342)

Creating the Project (p. 343)

Adding Analyses Systems to the Project (p. 343)

Adding a New Material for the Project (p. 344)

Adding Geometry to the Project (p. 345)

Defining the Physics in the Mechanical Application (p. 346)

Completing the Setup for the Structural System (p. 349)

Creating Named Selections for the Project (p. 349)

Generating the Mesh for the Fluid System (p. 351)

Defining the Physics and ANSYS Multi-field Settings in ANSYS CFX-Pre (p. 352)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 357)

Viewing Results in ANSYS CFD-Post (p. 358)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Moving mesh

Fluid-structure interaction (including modeling structural deformation using ANSYS)

Running an ANSYS Multi-field (MFX) simulation

Post-processing two results files simultaneously.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Transient
ANSYS Multi-field

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

Laminar

Heat Transfer

None

Output Control

Monitor Points
Transient Results File

Boundary Details

Wall: Mesh Motion = ANSYS

MultiField
Wall: No Slip
Wall: Adiabatic

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

CFD-Post

Feature

Details

Timestep

Transient

Plots

Animation
Contour
Vector

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial uses an example of an oscillating plate to demonstrate how to set up and run a simulation involving
two-way Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) in ANSYS Workbench. In this tutorial, the structural physics is set up
in the Transient Structural (ANSYS) analysis system and the fluid physics is set up in Fluid Flow (CFX) analysis
system, but both structural and fluid physics are solved together under the Solution cell of the Fluid system. Coupling
between two analyses systems is required throughout the solution to model the interaction between structural and
fluid systems as time progresses. The framework for the coupling is provided by the ANSYS Multi-field solver
using the MFX setup.
The geometry consists of a 2D closed cavity and a thin plate, 1 m high, that is anchored to the bottom of the cavity
as shown below:

An initial pressure of 100 Pa is applied to one side of the thin plate for 0.5 seconds in order to distort it. Once this
pressure is released, the plate oscillates backwards and forwards as it attempts to regain its equilibrium (vertical)
position. The surrounding fluid damps the plate oscillations, thereby decreasing the amplitude of oscillations with
time. The CFX solver calculates how the fluid responds to the motion of the plate, and the ANSYS solver calculates
how the plate deforms as a result of both the initial applied pressure and the pressure resulting from the presence
of the fluid. Coupling between the two solvers is required since the structural deformation affects the fluid solution,
and the fluid solution affects the structural deformation.

Before You Begin

Preparing a Working Directory

This tutorial uses the geometry file, OscillatingPlate.agdb, for setting up the project. This file is located
in <CFXROOT>/examples, where <CFXROOT> is the installation directory for ANSYS CFX.
Copy the supplied geometry file, OscillatingPlate.agdb, to a directory of your choice. This directory
will be referred to as the working directory in this tutorial.
By working with copy of the geometry file in a new directory, you prevent accidental changes to the file that
came with your installation.

Changing the Appearance of ANSYS CFX Applications

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, see Changing the Display Colors (p. 4) for information on
how to change the appearance of ANSYS CFX applications.
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Creating the Project

Creating the Project

1.

Start ANSYS Workbench.

To launch ANSYS Workbench on Windows, click the Start menu, then select All Programs > ANSYS 12.1
> Workbench. To launch ANSYS Workbench on Linux, open a command line interface, type the path to
runwb2 (for example, ~/ansys_inc/v121/Framework/bin/Linux64/runwb2), then press Enter.
The Project Schematic appears with an Unsaved Project. By default, ANSYS Workbench is configured to
show the Getting Started dialog box that describes basic operations in ANSYS Workbench. Click the [X]
icon to close this dialog box. To turn on or off this dialog box, select Tools > Options from the main menu
and set Project Management > Startup > Show Getting Started Dialog as desired.

2.

Select File > Save or click Save

A Save As dialog box appears. Select the path to your working directory to store files created during this
tutorial. For details, see Preparing a Working Directory.
3.

Under File name, type OscillatingPlate and click Save.

The project files and their associated folder locations appear under the Files View. To make the Files View
visible, select View > Files from the main menu of ANSYS Workbench.

Adding Analyses Systems to the Project

In ANSYS Workbench, the two-way FSI analysis can be performed by setting up coupled analyses systems,
comprising of a Transient Structural (ANSYS) system and a Fluid Flow (CFX) system as outlined in this section.
1.

Expand the Analysis Systems option in the toolbox, located on the left side of the ANSYS Workbench window,
and select the Transient Structural (ANSYS) template. Double-click the template, or drag it onto the Project
Schematic to create a standalone system.
A Transient Structural (ANSYS) system is added to the Project Schematic, with its name selected and ready
to be renamed.

2.

Type in the new name, Structural, to replace the selected text. This name will be used while referring to
the Transient Structural (ANSYS) system in this tutorial.
If you missed seeing the selected text, right-click the first cell in the system and select Rename as shown in
the following figure. The name will then be selected and ready to change.

3.

Now right-click the Setup cell in the Structural system and select Transfer Data to New > Fluid Flow (CFX).
A Fluid Flow system, coupled to the ANSYS system, is added to the Project Schematic.

4.

Change the name of this system to Fluid; this name will be used while referring to the Fluid Flow (CFX)
system in this tutorial.

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Adding a New Material for the Project

For this tutorial, the Solution and Results cells of the Structural system will be removed because they are not used
for two-way FSI analysis. This tutorial relies on the solution and result generated in the Fluid system, which you
have already connected to the Structural system.
The following steps outline the removal of these cells from the Structural system:
1.

In the Structural system, right-click the Solution cell and select Delete.

2.

Click OK on the pop-up message box to confirm the deletion of the cell with the solution data from the Structural
system.
The Solution and Results cells disappear from the Structural system. The updated project is shown in Figure 23.1,
Project setup for two-way FSI analysis (p. 344).

Figure 23.1. Project setup for two-way FSI analysis

3.

Now from the main menu, select File > Save to save the project setup.

The Structural and Fluid systems contain various cells and ANSYS Workbench provides visual indications of a
cell's state at any given time via icons on the right side of each cell. In Figure 23.1, Project setup for two-way FSI
analysis (p. 344), most cells appear with a blue question mark (?), indicating that cells need to be set up before
continuing the analysis. As these cells are set up, the data transfer occurs from top to bottom. See Understanding
States in ANSYS Workbench help for a description of various cell states.
Now the project is ready for further processing. A project with inter-connected systems enables you to perform the
analysis by adding a new material, sharing the geometry, setting up the physics in the Structural system, and setting
up the physics in the Fluid system. Later, the analysis will be performed in the Fluid system for solving and viewing
results.
In Figure 23.1, Project setup for two-way FSI analysis (p. 344), the Engineering Data cell appears in an up-to-date
state, because a default material definition is already available for the project. However, the default material is not
used in this tutorial. Thus, the next step in the analysis is to add a new material with properties desired for exhibiting
an oscillation under the influence of external pressure, as outlined in Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 342).
The new material can be created using the Engineering Data application in ANSYS Workbench, as described in
the next section.

Adding a New Material for the Project

This section describes how to create a new material named Plate, define its properties suitable for oscillation, and
set it as the default material for the analysis.
1.

On the Project Schematic, double-click the Engineering Data cell in the Structural system.
The Outline and Properties windows appear below the Project Schematic.

2.

In the Outline Filter window, ensure that Engineering Data is selected.

3.

In the Outline of Schematic A2: Engineering Data window, click the empty row at the bottom of the table
to add a new material for the project. Type in the name Plate.
Plate is created and appears with a blue question mark (?), indicating that plate properties need to be defined.

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Adding Geometry to the Project

4.

Now from toolboxes located on the left side of the ANSYS Workbench window, expand the Physical Properties
toolbox. Select Density and drag it onto the cell containing Plate in the Outline of Schematic A2: Engineering
Data window.
Density is added as the plate property in the Properties of Outline Row 4: Plate window, as shown in the
following figure.

5.

In the Properties of Outline Row 4: Plate window, set Density to 2550 [kg m^-3].

6.

Similarly, from the Linear Elastic toolbox, drag Isotropic Elasticity onto Plate in the Outline of Schematic
A2: Engineering Data window.
Isotropic Elasticity is added as the plate property in the Properties of Outline Row 4: Plate window.

7.

In the Properties of Outline Row 4: Plate window, expand Isotropic Elasticity by clicking on the plus sign.
Now set Young's Modulus to 2.5e06 [Pa] and Poisson's Ratio to 0.35.

Now the desired plate data is created and will be available to remaining cells in the Structural system. The next step
is to set Plate as the default material for the analysis as outlined below:
1.

In the Outline of Schematic A2: Engineering Data window, under Material, right-click Plate to open the
shortcut menu.

2.

In the shortcut menu, select Default Solid Material For Model.

3.

Now from the main menu, select File > Save to save material settings to the project.

Now from the ANSYS Workbench toolbar, click Return to Project to close the Engineering Data workspace and
return to the Project Schematic. The Outline and Properties windows disappear.

Adding Geometry to the Project

This section describes how to add geometry by importing an existing DesignModeler file and unsuppress geometry
parts in order to make them available for subsequent cells in the Structural and Fluid systems.
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Defining the Physics in the Mechanical Application

1.

On Project Schematic, right-click the Geometry cell in the Structural system and select Import Geometry >
Browse. In the Open dialog box, select OscillatingPlate.agdb from your working directory. For
details, see Preparing a Working Directory.
The geometry is included in the project and Geometry cells appear in an up-to-date state in both the Structural
and Fluid systems.

2.

In the Structural system, double-click the Geometry cell to edit the geometry using DesignModeler.

Note
The Geometry cell in the Fluid system cannot be edited because it is being shared with the Geometry
cell in the Structural system.
In DesignModeler, the Tree Outline contains two bodies, Fluid body and Solid body, under the branch named 2
Parts, 2 Bodies, as shown in the following figure.

The Fluid body appears in a suppressed state, shown with an x mark, implying that the body is not visible. When
a body is suppressed in DesignModeler, its model data is not exported to subsequent cells in the analysis systems.
For this tutorial, all bodies will be unsuppressed in DesignModeler so that all geometry data is transferred to the
subsequent cells in the Structural and Fluid systems. Later in the tutorial, the Solid and Fluid body will be selectively
suppressed in the Structural and Fluid systems, respectively, before generating an appropriate structural or fluid
mesh.
1.

In the Tree Outline, right-click the Fluid and select Unsuppress Body.
The status of the Fluid body changes to a green check mark.

2.

In the Tree Outline, select the branch named 2 Parts, 2 Bodies, both the Fluid and Solid bodies should be
visible in the Graphics window. Click Zoom to Fit

to view the entire model in the Graphics window.

This finishes the geometry setup for the project. Save these changes by selecting File > Save Project from the main
menu, and select File > Close DesignModeler to return to the Project Schematic.
Now the updated geometry is available for both the Structural and Fluid systems.

Defining the Physics in the Mechanical Application

This section describes the step-by-step definition of the structural physics in the following sections:

Generating the Mesh for the Structural System (p. 347)

Assigning the Material to Geometry (p. 347)

Basic Analysis Settings (p. 347)

Inserting Loads (p. 347)

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Generating the Mesh for the Structural System

Generating the Mesh for the Structural System

This section describes how to generate mesh for the Structural system.
1.

On the Project Schematic, double-click the Model cell in the Structural system.
The Mechanical application appears.

2.

In the Mechanical application, expand Project > Model > Geometry in the tree view.
Two geometries, Solid and Fluid, appear in the tree view. Click Zoom to Fit
the Graphics window.

to view the entire model in

For the Structural system, the mesh needs to be generated from the Solid body. As such, the Fluid body will
be suppressed before the mesh generation operation.
3.

Right-click the Fluid geometry and select Suppress Body from the shortcut menu.
The Fluid body becomes suppressed and its status changes to an x mark. Click Zoom to Fit
model suitable for viewing in the Graphics window.

4.

to re-size the

In the tree view, right-click Mesh and select Generate Mesh from the shortcut menu.
The hex mesh is generated.

Assigning the Material to Geometry

1.

In the Mechanical application, expand Project > Model > Geometry in the tree view and select Solid.
The details of Solid appear in the Details view below the Outline tree view.

2.

In the Details view, ensure Material > Assignment is set to Plate. Otherwise, click on the material name
and use the arrow that appears next to the material name to make appropriate changes.

Basic Analysis Settings

This section outlines the steps to set up an ANSYS Multi-field run using the transient mechanical analysis, with a
timestep of 0.1 s and a time duration of 5 s. For the given material properties of the plate, the time duration is chosen
to allow the plate to oscillate just a few times, and the timestep is chosen to resolve those oscillations to a reasonable
degree.
1.

In the Mechanical application, expand Project > Model > Transient in the tree view and select Analysis
Settings.
The details of Analysis Settings appear in the Details view below the Outline tree view.

2.

In the Details view, specify the following settings under Step Controls:

Note
Do not type in units while entering data for the time settings, Time Step and Step End Time.

Set Auto Time Stepping to Off

Set Time Step to 0.1

Set Step End Time to 5.

Inserting Loads
The loads applied for the finite element analysis are equivalent to the boundary conditions in fluid analysis. In this
section, you will set a fixed support, a fluid-solid interface, and a pressure load. On the surfaces of the plate that lie
coincident with the symmetry planes, no loads are set. As a result, the default of an unconstrained condition will
be applied on these surfaces. For this particular application, this is a reasonable approximation of the frictionless
support that would otherwise be applied.

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Inserting Loads

Fixed Support
The fixed support is required to hold the bottom of the thin plate in place.
1.

In the Mechanical application, expand Project > Model and right-click Transient in the tree view and select
Insert > Fixed Support from the shortcut menu.

2.

Rotate the geometry using the Rotate

select Face

button so that the bottom (low-y) face of the solid is visible, then

and click the low-y face.

That face should be highlighted to indicate the selection.

3.

In the Details view, click Apply to set the fixed support.

The text next to the Geometry setting changes to 1 Face.
If the Apply button is not visible, select Fixed Support in the tree view and, in the Details view, click on the
text next to the Geometry setting to make the Apply button re-appear.

Fluid-Solid Interface
The fluid-solid interface defines the interface between the fluid in the Fluid system and the solid in the Structural
system. This interface is defined on regions in the structural model. Data is exchanged across this interface during
the execution of the simulation.
1.

In the Mechanical application, expand Project > Model and right-click Transient in the tree view and select
Insert > Fluid Solid Interface from the shortcut menu.

2.

Using the same face-selection procedure described earlier in Fixed Support (p. 348), select the three faces of
the geometry that form the interface between the structural model and the fluid model (low-x, high-y and high-x
faces) by holding down Ctrl to select multiple faces.
Note that this load (fluid-solid interface) is automatically given an interface number of 1.

Pressure Load
The pressure load provides the initial additional pressure of 100 [Pa] for the first 0.5 seconds of the simulation.
It is defined using a step function.
1.

In the Mechanical application, expand Project > Model and right-click Transient in the tree view and select
Insert > Pressure from the shortcut menu.

2.

Select the low-x face for Geometry and click Apply.

3.

In the Details view, select Magnitude, and using the arrow that appears, select Tabular data.

4.

Under Tabular Data at the bottom right of the Mechanical application window, set a pressure of 100 in the
table row corresponding to a time of 0.

Note
Do not type in units while entering the tabular data. The units for time and pressure in this table
are the global units of [s] and [Pa], respectively.
5.

You now need to add two new rows to the table. This can be done by typing the new time and pressure data
into the empty row at the bottom of the table, and rows will be automatically re-ordered based on the time
value. Enter a pressure of 100 for a time value of 0.499, and a pressure of 0 for a time value of 0.5.

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Completing the Setup for the Structural System

This gives a step function for pressure that can be seen in the chart to the left of the table.
The settings for structural physics are now complete. Save these settings by selecting File > Save Project from the
main menu, and select File > Close Mechanical to close the Mechanical application and return to the Project
Schematic.

Completing the Setup for the Structural System

On the Project Schematic, the Setup cell in the Structural system appears in an update-required state. This section
describes how to update the Setup cell in the Structural system.
1.

In the Structural system, right-click the Setup cell and select Update from the shortcut menu.
The status of the Setup cell changes to up-to-date. Now all cells in the Structural system should appear in an
up-to-date state.

2.

Now from the main menu, select File > Save to save the project.

This completes the setup for the Structural system. In the next section, the Fluid system will be set up.
As the Geometry cell is already up to date for both the Solid and Fluid systems, the next section begins with the
setup of Mesh cell. Before generating mesh for the Fluid system, geometry faces will be grouped by creating Named
Selections in the Meshing application as discussed in the next section.

Creating Named Selections for the Project

This section describes how to group geometry faces using Named Selections in the Meshing application. Later,
when a mesh is generated from the model containing Named Selections, the grouped geometry faces are retained
in the mesh and are accessible from within ANSYS CFX in the form of Regions.
1.

On the Project Schematic, right-click the Mesh cell in the Fluid system and select Edit to open the model in
the Meshing application.

2.

Ensure that the Meshing application is open. If you find that CFX-Mesh is open, then close it and return to the
Meshing application by selecting File > Close CFX-Mesh from the CFX-Mesh's main menu.
If CFX-Mesh opens initially, then a default mesh method, CFX-Mesh Method, is added to the model in the
Meshing application. For this tutorial, it is required that you remove any existing mesh methods from the
model; the instructions to do this will be revisited later in Generating the Mesh for the Fluid System (p. 351).

Note
If you have configured the Meshing application to use CFX-Mesh as the default mesh method, then
upon editing the Mesh cell for the first time, the Meshing application will load initially and will be
replaced by CFX-Mesh automatically. However, if you are editing the Mesh cell in a subsequent
attempt, then only the Meshing application opens.
Typically, the Meshing application and CFX-Mesh can be identified from their tree views, as shown in the
following figure. In the Meshing application, Project appears as the top-level item in the tree view, whereas
Model is the top-level item in the tree view of CFX-Mesh. Also, notice differences in names of the tree view
windows, Outline versus Tree View.

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Creating Named Selections for the Project

Now create a Named Selection, Sym1, by selecting the high-z face of the Fluid body, as outlined below. The
procedure to create the Named Selections is outlined below:
1.

In the Meshing application, expand Project > Model > Geometry in the tree view.
Two items, Fluid body and Solid body, appear under the Geometry tree object.

2.

Right-click the Solid body and select Suppress Body from the shortcut menu.
The Solid body becomes suppressed and its status changes to an x mark.

3.

In the tree view, right-click the Fluid body and select Create Selection Group from the shortcut menu.
The Selection Name dialog box appears.

4.

In the Selection Name dialog box, type in Sym1 for the name of the selection group.
A Named Selections branch is added to the tree view.

5.

Expand the Named Selections branch and select Sym1.

The details of Sym1 appear in the Details view below the tree view. Notice Scope > Geometry is set to 1
Body.

6.

In the Details view, click 1 Body to make the Apply button appear.

7.

In the graphics window, rotate the geometry using the Rotate

is visible, then select Face

button so that the high-z face of the geometry

and click the high-z face.

That face should be highlighted to indicate the selection.

8.

In the Details view, Click Apply to set the selected face.

The Geometry setting changes to 1 Face.

Similarly, create another Named Selection, Sym2 by selecting the low-z face of the Fluid body, as outlined below:
1.

In the tree view, right-click the Fluid body and select Create Selection Group from the shortcut menu.
The Selection Name dialog box appears.

2.

In the Selection Name dialog box, type in Sym2 for the name of the selection group.
Sym2 is added to the Named Selection branch in the tree view.

3.

Select Sym2 in the tree view.

The details of Sym2 appear in the Details view below the tree view. Notice Scope > Geometry is set to 1
Body.
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Generating the Mesh for the Fluid System

4.

In the Details view, click 1 Body to make the Apply button appear.

5.

In the graphics window, rotate the geometry using the Rotate

is visible, then select Face

button so that the low-z face of the geometry

and click the low-z face.

That face should be highlighted to indicate the selection.

6.

In the Details view, Click Apply to set the selected face.

The Geometry setting changes to 1 Face.

This finishes the creation of Named Selections on the Fluid body. Do not close the Meshing application yet, the
tutorial continues to set up mesh settings and generate mesh for the Fluid system in the next section.

Generating the Mesh for the Fluid System

1.

In the Meshing application, expand Project > Model > Geometry in the tree view.
Two geometries, Solid and Fluid, appear under Geometry.
For the Fluid system, the mesh needs to be generated from the Fluid body, thus the Solid body will be suppressed.
The mesh for the Solid body has already been generated earlier in this tutorial.

2.

In the tree view, expand Project > Model > Mesh and ensure that the Mesh branch does not contain any other
objects. Otherwise, right-click such objects and select Delete from the shortcut menu.
Typically, if you have configured the Meshing application to use CFX-Mesh for meshing, then CFX-Mesh
Method is added as a default mesh method under the Mesh branch. In such a case, right-click CFX-Mesh
Method and select Delete to remove it from the Mesh branch.

3.

Ensure Mesh is selected in the tree view.

The details of Mesh appear in the Details view below the Outline tree view.

4.

In the Details view, set Sizing > Relevance Center to Medium.

This controls the grid resolution of the mesh.

5.

Now in the tree view, right-click Mesh and select Insert > Method from the shortcut menu.
Method is added to Mesh branch in the tree view. In the details view, Apply and Cancel buttons appear next
to the Geometry Setting.

6.

Click anywhere on the geometry in the viewer to select the Fluid body.

7.

In the details view, click on the Apply button next to the Geometry setting.
Notice Scope > Geometry is now set to 1 Body.

8.

9.

In the details view, set the following mesh settings in the following order:
1.

Set Definition > Method to Sweep.

2.

Set Free Face Mesh Type to All Tri.

3.

Set Sweep Num Divs = 1.

Now in the tree view, right-click Mesh and select Generate Mesh from the shortcut menu.
The mesh is generated.

10. This finishes the mesh generation for the Fluid system. From the main menu, select File > Save Project to
save these changes to the project, and select File > Close Meshing to return to the Project Schematic.
On the Project Schematic, the Mesh cell in the Fluid system appears in an update-required state.

Right-click the Mesh cell and select Update from the shortcut menu.
Updating of the Meshing cell is required as opening ANSYS CFX-Pre, from the Setup cell, with an out-of-date
Meshing cell can potentially corrupt the project.

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351

Defining the Physics and ANSYS Multi-field Settings in ANSYS CFX-Pre

Defining the Physics and ANSYS Multi-field Settings

in ANSYS CFX-Pre
This section describes the step-by-step definition of the flow physics and ANSYS Multi-field settings in the following
sections:

Setting the Analysis Type (p. 352)

Creating the Fluid (p. 353)

Creating the Domain (p. 353)

Creating the Boundaries (p. 354)

Setting Initial Values (p. 355)

Setting Solver Control (p. 355)

Setting Output Control (p. 356)

Setting the Analysis Type

A transient ANSYS Multi-field run executes as a series of timesteps. In ANSYS CFX-Pre, the Analysis Type tab
is used to enable both an ANSYS Multi-field run and to specify time-related settings for the coupled solver run.
ANSYS CFX-Pre reads the ANSYS input file, which is automatically passed by ANSYS Workbench, in order to
determine fluid-solid interfaces created in the Mechanical application.
1.

On the Project Schematic, double-click the Setup cell in the Fluid system to launch the ANSYS CFX-Pre
application.

2.

In ANSYS CFX-Pre, click Analysis Type

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

External Solver Coupling > Option

ANSYS MultiField

Coupling Time Control > Coupling Time Duration >

Option

Total Time

Coupling Time Control > Coupling Time Duration > Total 5 [s]
Time
Coupling Time Control > Coupling Time Steps > Option Timesteps
Coupling Time Control > Coupling Time Steps >
Timesteps

0.1 [s]

Analysis Type > Option

Transient

Analysis Type > Time Duration > Option

Coupling Time
Duration a

Analysis Type > Time Steps > Option

Coupling Timesteps a

Analysis Type > Initial Time > Option

Coupling Initial Time

a

Once the timesteps and time duration are specified for the ANSYS Multi-field run (coupling run), CFX automatically picks up these
settings and it is not possible to set the timestep and time duration independently. Hence the only option available for Time Duration is
Coupling Time Duration, and similarly for the related settings Time Step and Initial Time.

4.

Click OK.

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Creating the Fluid

Creating the Fluid

A custom fluid is created with user-specified properties.
1.

Click Material

and set the name of the material to Fluid.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Option

Pure Substance

Thermodynamic State

(Selected)

Thermodynamic State > Thermodynamic State

Liquid

Equation of State > Molar Mass

1 [kg kmol^-1] a

Equation of State > Density

1 [kg m^-3] b

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity

(Selected)

Transport Properties > Dynamic Viscosity > Dynamic

Viscosity

0.2 [Pa s] b

Material
Properties

The molar mass is not used for this tutorial setup and has been set only for the completeness of the fluid property.
The fluid properties are chosen to ensure that the plate generates a reasonable amplitude of vibration that doesn't decay too fast under
the influence of fluid.
b

3.

Click OK.

Creating the Domain

In order to allow ANSYS Solver to communicate mesh displacements to CFX-Solver, mesh motion must be activated
in CFX.
1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned on. A domain named Default Domain should now appear under the Simulation branch.

2.

Double-click Default Domain and apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 >

Material

Fluid

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference

Pressure

1 [atm] a

Domain Models > Mesh Deformation >

Option

Regions of Motion
Specified

Heat Transfer > Option

None

Turbulence > Option

None (Laminar)

Fluid Models

The reference pressure has no effect on this simulation so leave it as the default.

3.

Click OK.

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Creating the Boundaries

Creating the Boundaries

In addition to the symmetry conditions, this tutorial requires boundary conditions for an external boundary resulting
from the fluid-solid interface as outlined below:

Fluid Solid External Boundary (p. 354)

Symmetry Boundaries (p. 354)

Fluid Solid External Boundary

The interface between ANSYS and CFX is considered as an external boundary in CFX-Solver with its mesh
displacement being defined by the ANSYS Multi-field coupling process. This section outlines the steps to create a
Boundary Type for CFX and specify a matching ANSYS interface. This specification sets up CFX-Solver to pass
forces to ANSYS solver on this boundary, and to receive the mesh displacement calculations from the ANSYS
solver under the effect of forces from CFX or other defined loads.
When an ANSYS Multi-field specification is being made in CFX-Pre, it is necessary to provide the name and
number of the matching Fluid Solid Interface that was created in the Mechanical application, in the form of
FSIN_#, where # is the interface number that was created in the Mechanical application. Since the interface number
in the Mechanical application was 1, the name in question is FSIN_1. (If the interface number had been 2, then
the name would have been FSIN_2, and so on.)
On this boundary, CFX will send ANSYS the forces on the interface, and ANSYS will send back the total mesh
displacement it calculates given the forces passed from CFX and the other defined loads.
1.

Create a new boundary named Interface.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

F33.30, F34.30, F35.30a

Mesh Motion > Option

ANSYS MultiField

Mesh Motion > Receive From ANSYS

Total Mesh Displacement

Mesh Motion > ANSYS Interface

FSIN_1

Mesh Motion > Send to ANSYS

Total Force

Boundary Details

Alternatively, the geometry faces could be grouped together and named using Named Selections in the Meshing application.

3.

Click OK.

Symmetry Boundaries
Since a 2D representation of the flow field is being modeled (using a 3D mesh with one element thickness in the Z
direction) symmetry boundaries will be created on the low and high Z 2D regions of the mesh.
1.

Create a new boundary named Sym1.

2.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

Sym1

3.

Click OK.

4.

Create a new boundary named Sym2.

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Setting Initial Values

5.

6.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

Sym2

Click OK.

Setting Initial Values

Since a transient simulation is being modeled, initial values are required for all variables.
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Global Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > U

0 [m s^-1] a

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > V

0 [m s^-1] a

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > W

0 [m s^-1] a

Initial Conditions > Static Pressure > Relative 0 [Pa] a

Pressure
a

These settings ensure that the fluid is at rest initially, and the flow is generated by the initial motion of the plate.

3.

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

Various ANSYS Multi-field settings are contained under Solver Control under the External Coupling tab. Most
of these settings do not need to be changed for this simulation.
Within each timestep, a series of coupling or stagger iterations are performed to ensure that CFX-Solver, the
Mechanical application and the data exchanged between the two solvers are all consistent. Within each stagger
iteration, the Mechanical application and CFX-Solver both run once each, but which one runs first is a user-specifiable
setting. In general, it is slightly more efficient to choose the solver that drives the simulation to run first. In this
case, the simulation is being driven by the initial pressure applied in the Mechanical application, so the Mechanical
application is set to solve before CFX-Solver within each stagger iteration.
1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Transient Scheme > Option

Second Order Backward

Euler

Convergence Control > Max. Coeff. Loops 3

External Coupling

Coupling Step Control > Solution Sequence Before CFX Fields

Control > Solve ANSYS Fields

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355

Setting Output Control

Tab

Setting

Value

Coupling Data Transfer Control > Ansys

Variable

FZ

Coupling Data Transfer Control > Ansys

Variable > FZ

(Selected)

Coupling Data Transfer Control > Ansys

Variable > FZ > Convergence Target

(Selected)

Coupling Data Transfer Control > Ansys

Variable > FZ > Convergence Target >
Convergence Target

1a

Coupling Data Transfer Control > Ansys

Variable

UZ

Coupling Data Transfer Control > Ansys

Variable > UZ

(Selected)

Coupling Data Transfer Control > Ansys

Variable > UZ > Convergence Target

(Selected)

Coupling Data Transfer Control > Ansys

Variable > UZ > Convergence Target >
Convergence Target

1a

a
Since the Z component of both the force (FZ) and resultant displacement (UZ) are negligible for this 2-D case, their convergence targets
are set to large values in order to negate their influence when determining load convergence.

3.

Click OK.

Setting Output Control

This step sets up transient results files to be written at set intervals.
1.

Click Output Control

2.

Click the Trn Results tab.

3.

In the Transient Results tree view, click Add new item

4.

Apply the following settings:

, accept the default name and click OK.

Setting

Value

Option

Selected Variables

Output Variable List

Pressure, Total Mesh

Displacement, Velocity

Output Frequency > Option

Every Coupling Stepa

This setting writes a transient results file every multi-field timestep.

5.

Click the Monitor tab.

6.

Select Monitor Options.

7.

Under Monitor Points and Expressions:

1.

Click Add new item

and accept the default name.

2.

Set Option to Cartesian Coordinates.

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Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

3.

Set Output Variables List to Total Mesh Displacement X.

4.

Set Cartesian Coordinates to [0, 1, 0].

This monitor point measures the x-component of the total mesh displacement at the top of the plate.

8.

Click OK.

The settings for fluid physics are now complete. From the main menu, select File > Save Project to save these
changes to the project, and select File > Quit to close ANSYS CFX-Pre and return to the Project Schematic.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

The execution of an ANSYS Multi-field simulation requires both the CFX and ANSYS solvers to be running and
communicating with each other. This section outlines the steps to launch both solvers and monitor the output using
ANSYS CFX-Solver Manager.
1.

On the Project Schematic, double-click the Solution cell in the Fluid system to launch the ANSYS CFX-Solver
Manager application.
ANSYS Workbench generates the CFX-Solver input file and passes it to ANSYS CFX-Solver Manager.

2.

In ANSYS CFX-Solver Manager, ensure that Define Run dialog box is displayed.
On the Define Run dialog box, Solver Input File is set automatically by ANSYS Workbench. The CFX-Solver
input file contains settings for an ANSYS Multi-field simulation, thus MultiField tab appears on the Define
Run dialog box.

3.

On the MultiField tab, ANSYS Input File is set automatically by ANSYS Workbench.

4.

On UNIX systems, you may need to manually specify where the ANSYS installation is if it is not in the default
location. In this case, you must provide the path to the v121/ansys directory.

5.

Click Start Run.

Note
On the Run Definition tab, the Initialization Option field is set to Current Solution Data (if possible),
its default setting. These runs use the results from any previous solution run as initial values for a
subsequent update. This may not be desirable when restarting transient runs, which typically need to
start from the initial conditions specified in the Setup cell. See Properties View (p. 54) in the ANSYS
CFX Introduction for more details.
The run begins by some initial processing of the ANSYS Multi-field input which results in the creation of a file
containing the necessary multi-field commands for ANSYS, and then the ANSYS Solver is started. The CFX Solver
is then started in such a way that it knows how to communicate with the ANSYS Solver.
After the run is under way, two new plots appear in ANSYS CFX-Solver Manager:

ANSYS Field Solver (Structural) This plot is produced only when the solid physics is set to use large
displacements or when other non-linear analyses are performed. It shows convergence of the ANSYS Solver.
Full details of the quantities are described in the ANSYS user documentation. In general, the CRIT quantities
are the convergence criteria for each relevant variable, and the L2 quantities represent the L2 Norm of the
relevant variable. For convergence, the L2 Norm should be below the criteria. The x-axis of the plot is the
cumulative iteration number for ANSYS, which does not correspond to either timesteps or stagger iterations.
Several ANSYS iterations will be performed for each timestep, depending on how quickly ANSYS converges.
You will usually see a somewhat spiky plot, as each quantity will be unconverged at the start of each timestep,
and then convergence will improve.

ANSYS Interface Loads (Structural) This plot shows the convergence for each quantity that is part of the
data exchanged between the CFX and ANSYS Solvers. Six lines appear, corresponding to three force components
(FX, FY, and FZ) and three displacement components (UX, UY, and UZ). Each quantity is converged when
the plot shows a negative value. The x-axis of the plot corresponds to the cumulative number of stagger iterations
(coupling iterations) and there are several of these for every timestep. Again, a spiky plot is expected as the
quantities will not be converged at the start of a timestep.

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Viewing Results in ANSYS CFD-Post

The ANSYS out file is displayed in ANSYS CFX-Solver Manager as an extra tab. Similar to the CFX out file, this
is a text file recording output from ANSYS as the solution progresses.
1.

Click the User Points tab and watch how the top of the plate displaces as the solution develops.
When the solver run has finished, a completion message appears in a dialog box.

2.

Click OK.

From the main menu, select File > Quit to close ANSYS CFX-Solver Manager and return to the Project Schematic.

Viewing Results in ANSYS CFD-Post

On the Project Schematic, double-click the Results cell in the Fluid system to launch the ANSYS CFD-Post
application.
Being an ANSYS Multi-field run, both the CFX and ANSYS results files will be opened up in CFD-Post.

Plotting Results on the Solid

When ANSYS CFD-Post reads an ANSYS results file, all the ANSYS variables are available to plot on the solid,
including stresses and strains. The mesh regions available for plots by default are limited to the full boundary of
the solid, plus certain named regions which are automatically created when particular types of load are added in
Simulation. For example, any Fluid-Solid Interface will have a corresponding mesh region with a name such as
FSIN 1. In this case, there is also a named region corresponding to the location of the fixed support, but in general
pressure loads do not result in a named region.
You can add extra mesh regions for plotting by creating named selections in Simulation - see the Simulation product
documentation for more details. Note that the named selection must have a name which contains only English letters,
numbers and underscores for the named mesh region to be successfully created.
Note that when ANSYS CFD-Post loads an ANSYS results file, the true global range for each variable is not
automatically calculated, as this would add a substantial amount of time depending on how long it takes to load
such a file (you can turn on this calculation using Edit > Options and using the Pre-calculate variable global
ranges setting under CFD-Post > Files). When the global range is first used for plotting a variable, it is calculated
as the range within the current timestep. As subsequent timesteps are loaded into CFD-Post, the Global Range is
extended each time variable values are found outside the previous Global Range.
1.

Turn on the visibility of Default Boundary (under ANSYS at 5s > Default Domain).

2.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards +Z. Zoom into the
plate to see it clearly.

3.

Apply the following settings to Default Boundary:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Von Mises Stress

4.

Click Apply.

5.

Select Tools > Timestep Selector from the task bar to open the Timestep Selector dialog box. Notice that a
separate list of timesteps is available for each results file loaded, although for this case the lists are the same.
By default, Sync Cases is set to By Time Value which means that each time you change the timestep for
one results file, CFD-Post will automatically load the results corresponding to the same time value for all other
results files.

6.

Set Match to Nearest Available.

7.

Change to a time value of 1 [s] and click Apply.

The corresponding transient results are loaded and you can see the mesh move in both the CFX and ANSYS regions.
1.

Turn off the visibility of Default Boundary (under ANSYS at 1s > Default Domain).

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Creating an Animation
2.

Create a contour plot, set Locations to ANSYS > Default Boundary and Fluid > Sym2, and set Variable
to Total Mesh Displacement. Click Apply.

3.

Using the timestep selector, load time value 0.8 [s] (which is where the maximum total mesh displacement
occurs).

This verifies that the contours of Total Mesh Displacement are continuous through both the ANSYS and
CFX regions.
Many FSI cases will have only relatively small mesh displacements, which can make visualization of the mesh
displacement difficult. ANSYS CFD-Post allows you to visually magnify the mesh deformation for ease of viewing
such displacements. Although it is not strictly necessary for this case, which has mesh displacements which are
easily visible unmagnified, this is illustrated by the next few instructions.
1.

Using the timestep selector, load time value 0.1 [s] (which has a much smaller mesh displacement than the
currently loaded timestep).

2.

Place the mouse over somewhere in the viewer where the background color is showing. Right-click and select
Deformation > Auto. Notice that the mesh displacements are now exaggerated. The Auto setting is calculated
to make the largest mesh displacement a fixed percentage of the domain size.

3.

To return the deformations to their true scale, right-click and select Deformation > True Scale.

Creating an Animation
1.

Using the Timestep Selector dialog box, ensure the time value of 0.1 [s] is loaded.

2.

Turn off the visibility of Contour 1.

3.

Turn on the visibility of Sym2.

4.

Apply the following settings to Sym2.

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Pressure

5.

Click Apply.

6.

Create a vector plot, set Locations to Sym1 and leave Variable set to Velocity. Set Color to be Constant
and choose black. Click Apply.

7.

Turn on the visibility of Default Boundary (under ANSYS at 0.1s > Default Domain), and set
Color to a constant blue.

8.

Click Animation

The Animation dialog box appears.

9.

Select Keyframe Animation.

10. In the Animation dialog box:

1.

Click New

to create KeyframeNo1.

2.

Highlight KeyframeNo1, then change # of Frames to 48.

3.

Load the last timestep (50) using the timestep selector.

4.

Click New

to create KeyframeNo2.

The # of Frames parameter has no effect for the last keyframe, so leave it at the default value.
5.

Select Save Movie.

6.

Set Format to MPEG1.

7.

Click Browse

next to Save Movie to set a path and file name for the movie file.

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Creating an Animation
If the file path is not given, the file will be saved in the directory from which CFD-Post was launched.
8.

Click Save.
The movie file name (including path) will be set, but the movie will not be created yet.

9.

If frame 1 is not loaded (shown in the F: text box in the middle of the Animation dialog box), click To
Beginning
to load it.
Wait for CFD-Post to finish loading the objects for this frame before proceeding.

10. Click Play the animation

The movie will be created as the animation proceeds. This will be slow, since a timestep must be loaded
and objects must be created for each frame. To view the movie file, you need to use a viewer that supports
the MPEG format.
11. Save the results by selecting File > Save Project from the main menu.
When you are finished viewing results in ANSYS CFD-Post, return to the Project Schematic and select File > Exit
to exit from ANSYS Workbench.

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Chapter 24. Optimizing Flow in a Static

Mixer
Design Exploration is a Workbench component that you can use to examine the effect of changing parameters in a
system. In this example, you will see how changing the geometry and physics of a static mixer changes the
effectiveness of the mixing of water at two different temperatures. The measure of the mixing effectiveness will be
the output temperature range.
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 361)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 362)

Setting Up ANSYS Workbench (p. 363)

Creating the Project (p. 363)

Creating the Geometry in DesignModeler (p. 363)

Creating the Mesh with CFX-Mesh (p. 370)

Setting up the Case with CFX-Pre (p. 370)

Setting the Output Parameter in CFD-Post (p. 373)

Investigating the Impact of Changing Design Parameters Manually (p. 374)

Using Design of Experiments (p. 376)

Viewing the Response Surface (p. 376)

Viewing the Optimization (p. 377)

Note
Some of the instructions in this tutorial assume that you have sufficient licensing to have multiple
applications open. If you do not have sufficient licensing, you may not be able to keep as many of the
applications open as this tutorial suggests. In this case, simply close the applications as you finish with
them.

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Creating a geometry in DesignModeler and creating a mesh in CFX-Mesh.

Using General mode in CFX-Pre to set up a problem.

Using design points to manually vary characteristics of the problem to see how you can improve the mixing.

Using Design Exploration to vary characteristics of the problem programmatically to find an optimal design.

Component

Feature

DesignModeler

Details
Geometry Creation
Named Selections

CFX-Mesh
CFX-Pre

Mesh Creation
User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Thermal Energy

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Adiabatic

Timescale

Physical Timescale

Expressions

Workbench input parameter

CFD-Post

Expressions

Workbench output parameter

Parameters

Design Points

Manual changes

Design Exploration

Goal Driven Optimization

Design of Experiments
Response Surface
Optimization

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial simulates a static mixer consisting of two inlet pipes delivering water into a mixing vessel; the water
exits through an outlet pipe. A general workflow is established for analyzing the flow of fluid into and out of a
mixer.
Initially, water enters through both pipes at the same rate but at different temperatures. The first inlet has a mass
flow rate that has an initial value of 1500 kg/s and a temperature of 315 K. The second inlet also has a mass flow
rate that has an initial value of 1500 kg/s, but at a temperature of 285 K. The radius of the mixer is 2 m.
Your goal in this tutorial is to understand how to use Design Points and Design Exploration to optimize the amount
of mixing of the water when it exits the static mixer, as measured by the distribution of the water's temperature at
the outlet.

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Setting Up ANSYS Workbench

Figure 24.1. Static Mixer with 2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe

Setting Up ANSYS Workbench

Before you begin using ANSYS Workbench, you have to configure the Geometry Import option settings for use
with this tutorial:
1.

Launch ANSYS Workbench.

2.

From the ANSYS Workbench menu bar, select Tools > Options. The Options configuration dialog appears.

3.

In the Options configuration dialog, select Geometry Import

a.

Ensure Parameters is enabled and remove the "DS" from Filtering Prefixes and Suffixes.

b.

Enable Named Selections and remove the name "NS" from Filtering Prefixes.

c.

Click OK.

Creating the Project

To create the project, you save an empty project:
1.

From the ANSYS Workbench menu bar, select File > Save As and save the project as StaticMixerDX.wbpj
in the directory of your choice.

2.

From Toolbox > Analysis Systems, drag the Fluid Flow (CFX) system onto the Project Schematic.

Creating the Geometry in DesignModeler

Now you can create a geometry by using DesignModeler:
1.

In the Fluid Flow (CFX) system, right-click Geometry and select New Geometry. DesignModeler starts.

2.

If DesignModeler displays a window for selecting the desired length unit, select Meter as the desired length
unit and click OK. (Note that this window will not appear if you have previously set a default unit of
measurement.)

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Creating the Solid

Creating the Solid

You create geometry in DesignModeler by creating two-dimensional sketches and extruding, revolving, sweeping,
or lofting these to add or remove material. To create the main body of the Static Mixer, you will draw a sketch of
a cross-section and revolve it.
1.

In the Tree Outline, click ZXPlane.

Each sketch is created in a plane. By selecting ZXPlane before creating a sketch, you ensure that the sketch
you are about to create is based on the ZX plane.

2.

Click New Sketch

3.

In the Tree Outline, click Sketch1.

4.

Select the Sketching tab (below the Tree Outline) to view the available sketching tool boxes.

on the Active Plane/Sketch Toolbar, which is located above the Graphics window.

Setting Up the Grid

Before starting your sketch, set up a grid on the plane in which you will draw the sketch. The grid facilitates the
precise positioning of points (when Snap is enabled).
1.

Click Settings (in the Sketching tab) to open the Settings Toolbox.

2.

Click Grid and select Show in 2D and Snap.

3.

Click Major Grid Spacing and set it to 1.

4.

Click Minor-Steps per Major and set it to 2.

5.

To see the effect of changing Minor-Steps per Major, click, the right-mouse button to the top left of the plane
center in the Graphics window and drag a box over the origin to zoom into the middle of the grid. When you
release the mouse button, the model is magnified to show the selected area.

You now have a grid of squares with the smallest squares being 50 cm across. Because Snap is enabled, you can
select only points that are on this grid to build your geometry; this can often help you to position objects correctly.
The triad at the center of the grid indicates the local coordinate frame. The color of the arrow indicates the local
axis: red for X, green for Y, and blue for Z.

Creating the Basic Geometry

Start by creating the main body of the mixer:
1.

From the Sketching tab, select the Draw toolbox.

2.

Click Polyline and then create the shape shown below as follows:

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Creating the Solid

a.

Click on the grid in the position where one of the points from the shape needs to be placed (it does not
matter which point, but a suggested order is given in the graphic below).

b.

Click on each successive point to make the shape.

If at any point you click on the wrong place, click with the right-mouse button over the Graphics window
and select Back from the shortcut menu to undo the point selection.

c.

To close the polyline after selecting the last point, right-click and choose Closed End from the shortcut
menu.

The information of the new sketch, Sketch1, appears in the Details View. Note that the longest straight line (4 m
long) in the diagram below is along the X-axis (located at Y = 0 m). The numbers and letters in the image below
are added here for your convenience but do not appear in the software.

Revolving the Sketch

You will now create the main body of the mixer by revolving the new sketch around the X-axis of the local coordinate
frame.
1.

Click Revolve

from the tool bar above the Graphics window.

Details of the Revolve operation are shown in the Details View at the bottom left of the window. Leave the
name of the Revolve as the default, Revolve1. The Base Object defines the sketch to be revolved. Select
Sketch1.
2.

In the Details View you should see Apply and Cancel buttons next to the Axis parameter; if those buttons are
not displayed, click on the word Axis.

3.

In the Graphics window, click on the grid line that is aligned with the X-axis of the plane represented by a red
arrow (the X-axis of the plane is aligned with the global Z-axis), then click Apply in the Details View. The
text next to Axis now changes to Selected.

4.

Leave Operation set to Add Material because you need to create a solid. Ensure that Angle is set to 360
degrees and leave the other settings at their defaults.

5.

To activate the revolve operation, click Generate

. You can select this from the 3D Features Toolbar or
from the shortcut menu by right-clicking in the graphics window.

After generation, you should find you have a solid as shown below.

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Creating the Solid

Create the First Inlet Pipe

To create the inlet pipes, you will create two sketches and extrude them. For clear viewing of the grid during
sketching, you will hide the previously created geometry.
1.

In the Tree Outline, click on the plus sign next to 1 Part, 1 Body to expand the tree structure.

2.

Right-click on Solid and select Hide Body.

3.

Select ZXPlane in the Tree Outline.

4.

Click New Sketch

5.

Select the Sketching tab.

6.

Create a circle as shown in the figure below:

7.

on the Active Plane/Sketch Toolbar.

a.

Select the Draw Toolbox.

b.

Select Circle, click and hold on the grid to mark the center of the circle, drag while holding to the desired
radius, then release to set the radius.

Select the Dimensions Toolbox, select General, click on the circle in the sketch, then click near the circle to
set a dimension. In the Details View, click the check box beside D1. When prompted, rename the parameter
to inDia and click OK. This dimension will be a parameter that is modified in Design Exploration.

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Creating the Solid

Extrude the First Side-pipe

To create the first side-pipe extrude the sketch:
from the 3D Features tool bar, located above the Graphics window.

1.

Click Extrude

2.

In the Details View, change Direction to Reversed to reverse the direction of the extrusion (that is, click the
word Normal, then from the pull-down menu select Reversed).

3.

Change Depth to 3 (meters) and press Enter to set this value. All other settings can remain at their default
values. The Add Material setting indicates that material is added to the existing solid, rather than a new solid
being created.

4.

To perform the extrude operation, click Generate

Make the Solid Visible

To see the result of the previous operation, make the solid visible again:
1.

In the Tree Outline, right-click Solid and select Show Body.

2.

Click and hold the middle mouse button over the middle of the Graphics window and drag the mouse to rotate
the model. The solid should be similar to the one shown below. A discrepancy with the size of the inlet pipe
diameters may be visible but is not of concern.

3.

Right-click Solid and select Hide Body.

Create the Second Inlet Pipe

You will create the second inlet so that the relative angle between the two inlets is controlled parametrically, enabling
you to evaluate the effects of different relative inlet angles:
1.

In the Tree Outline, select ZXPlane.

2.

In the toolbar, click New Plane

. The new plane (Plane4) appears in the Tree Outline.

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Creating the Solid

3.

In the Details View, click beside Transform 1 (RMB) and choose the axis about which you want to rotate
the inlet: Rotate about X.

4.

Click the check box in the FD1, Value 1 field. This sets the angle of rotation of this plane as a new design
parameter. When prompted, set the name to in2Angle and click OK.

5.

Click Generate

6.

In the Tree Outline click on Plane4, then create a new sketch (Sketch3) based on this plane by clicking New
Sketch

on the Active Plane/Sketch toolbar.

7.

Select the Sketching tab.

8.

Click on Settings to open the Settings Toolbox.

9.

Click on Grid and select Show in 2D and Snap.

10. Click on Major Grid Spacing and set it to 1.

11. Click on Minor-Steps per Major and set it to 2.
12. Right-click over the Graphics window and select Isometric View to put the sketch into a sensible viewing
position. Zoom in, if required, to see the level of detail in the image below.
13. From the Draw Toolbox, select Circle and create a circle as shown below:

14. Select the Dimensions Toolbox, click General, click on the circle in the sketch, then click near the circle to
set a dimension.
In the Details View, click the check box beside D1. When prompted to create a new design parameter, name
the parameter inDia and click OK.
15. Click Extrude

from the 3D Features Toolbar.

16. In the Details View, ensure Direction is set to Normal in order to extrude in the same direction as the plane
normal.
17. Ensure that Depth is set to 3 (meters). Leave the other settings at their defaults.
18. To activate the extrude operation, click Generate

19. Right-click Solid in the Tree Outline and select Show Body.
The geometry is now complete.

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Creating the Solid

Create Named Selections

Named selections enable you to specify and control like-grouped items. Here, you will create named selections so
that you can specify boundary conditions in CFX-Pre to these specific regions.

Note
The 3D Viewer must be in viewing mode for you to be able to orient the geometry and the 3D Viewer
must be in select mode for you to be able to select a boundary in the geometry. You set viewing mode
or select mode by clicking the icons in the viewer toolbar:

To create the named selections:

1.

In viewing mode, orient the static mixer so that you can see the inlet that has the lowest value of Y-coordinate.
(You can rotate the mixer by holding down the middle-mouse button or the mouse scroll wheel.)

2.

In select mode, highlight the inlet by left-clicking the inlet face, then right-click on the inlet and select Named
Selection.

3.

In the Details View, click Apply, then rename the Named Selection to: in1

4.

Click Generate

5.

Orient the static mixer so that you can see the inlet that has the highest value of Y-coordinate.

6.

Highlight the inlet by left-clicking the inlet face, then right-click on the inlet and select Named Selection.

7.

In the Details View, click Apply, then rename the Named Selection to: in2

8.

Click Generate

9.

Orient the static mixer so that you can see the outlet (at the lowest value of the Z-coordinate).

10. Highlight the outlet by left-clicking the outlet face, then right-click on the outlet and select Named Selection.
11. In the Details View, click Apply, then rename the Named Selection to: out
12. Click Generate

13. Click Save on the ANSYS Workbench toolbar. This enables you to recover the work that you have performed
to this point, if desired, until the next time you save the tutorial.

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Creating the Mesh with CFX-Mesh

Creating the Mesh with CFX-Mesh

Note
This tutorial uses CFX-Mesh, but you could use a different mesh method in the Meshing Application.
To create the mesh:
1.

In the Project Schematic, right-click the Mesh cell and select Edit. The Meshing Application appears.

2.

Expand Project > Model (A3) and right-click Mesh. Select Edit in CFX-Mesh. CFX-Mesh starts.

3.

In CFX-Mesh, click Generate Volume Mesh.

4.

When the mesh has been produced, return to the Project Schematic, right-click the Mesh cell, and select
Update.

5.

In CFX-Mesh select File > Close CFX-Mesh.

6.

In the Meshing Application select File > Close Meshing.

Setting up the Case with CFX-Pre

Now that the mesh has been created, you can use CFX-Pre to define the simulation. To set up the case with CFX-Pre:
1.

Double-click the Setup cell. CFX-Pre appears with the mesh file loaded.

2.

In CFX-Pre, create an expression named inMassFlow:

3.

a.

In the Tree Outline, expand Expressions, Functions and Variables and right-click Expression and
select Insert > Expression.

b.

Give the new expression the name: inMassFlow

c.

In the Definition area, type: 1500 [kg s^-1]

d.

Click Apply.

Right-click inMassFlow in the Expressions area and select Use as Workbench Input Parameter. A small
P with a right-pointing arrow appears on the expression's icon.

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Setting up the Case with CFX-Pre

4.

Define the characteristics of the domain:

a.

Click the Outline tab.

b.

Double-click Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 > Default Domain to open it for editing.

c.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 > Water

Material

Fluids Models
d.
5.

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference

Pressure

1 [atm]

Heat Transfer > Option

Thermal Energy

Click OK.

Create the first inlet boundary:

a.

From the CFX-Pre menu bar, select Insert > Boundary.

b.

In the Insert Boundary dialog, name the new boundary in1 and click OK.

c.

Apply the following settings to in1:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

in1

Mass and Momentum > Option

Mass Flow Rate

Mass Flow Rate

inMassFlow [1 (p. 371)]

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

315 [K]

Boundary Details

Footnote
1.

To enter this expression name into the Mass Flow Rate field, click in the blank field, click
on the Enter Expression
icon that appears, right-click in the blank field, then select
the inMassFlow expression that appears.

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Setting up the Case with CFX-Pre

d.
6.

Click OK.

Create the second inlet boundary:

a.

From the CFX-Pre menu bar, select Insert > Boundary.

b.

In the Insert Boundary dialog, name the new boundary in2 and click OK.

c.

Apply the following settings to in2:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

in2

Mass and Momentum > Option

Mass Flow Rate

Mass Flow Rate

inMassFlow [1 (p. 372)]

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

285 [K]

Boundary Details

Footnote
1.

To enter this expression name into the Mass Flow Rate field, click in the blank field, click
on the Enter Expression
icon that appears, right-click in the blank field, then select
the inMassFlow expression that appears.

d.
7.

Click OK.

Create the outlet boundary:

a.

From the CFX-Pre menu bar, select Insert > Boundary.

b.

In the Insert Boundary dialog, name the new boundary out and click OK.

c.

Apply the following settings to out:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

out

Boundary Details
d.

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure 0 [Pa]

Click OK.
CFX-Pre and ANSYS Workbench both update automatically. The three boundary conditions are displayed
in the viewer as sets of arrows at the boundary surfaces. Inlet boundary arrows are directed into the domain;
outlet boundary arrows are directed out of the domain.

8.

Solver Control parameters control aspects of the numerical solution generation process. Set the solver controls
as follows:
a.

Click Solver Control

b.

On the Basic Settings tab, set Advection Scheme > Option to Upwind.
While an upwind advection scheme is less accurate than other advection schemes, it is also more robust.
This advection scheme is suitable for obtaining an initial set of results, but in general should not be used
to obtain final results.

c.

Set Convergence Control > Min. Iterations to 5.

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Setting the Output Parameter in CFD-Post

This change is required because when the solver is restarted from a previous converged solution for
each design point, the solver may think the solution is converged after one or two iterations and halt
the solution prematurely if the default setting (1) is maintained.
d.

Set Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control > Timescale Control to Physical Timescale
and set the physical timescale value to 2 [s].
The time scale can be calculated automatically by the solver or set manually. The Automatic option
tends to be conservative, leading to reliable, but often slow, convergence. It is often possible to accelerate
convergence by applying a time scale factor or by choosing a manual value that is more aggressive than
the Automatic option. By selecting a physical time scale, you obtain a convergence that is at least twice
as fast as the Automatic option.

e.

Click OK.
CFX-Pre and ANSYS Workbench both update automatically.

9.

In the Project Schematic, right-click the Solution cell and select Update. CFX-Solver obtains a solution.

10. When the Solution cell shows an up-to-date state, right-click the Results cell and select Refresh. When the
refresh is complete, right-click the Results cell again and select Edit. CFD-Post starts.

Setting the Output Parameter in CFD-Post

When CFD-Post starts, it displays the 3D Viewer and the Outline workspace.

You need to create an expression for the response parameter to be examined (Outlet Temperature) called
OutTempRange, which will be the maximum output temperature minus the minimum output temperature:
1.

On the Expressions tab, right-click on Expressions > New.

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Investigating the Impact of Changing Design Parameters Manually

2.

Type OutTempRange and click OK.

3.

In the Definition area:

a.

Right-click Functions > CFD-Post > maxVal.

b.

With the cursor between the parentheses, right-click and select Variables > Temperature.

c.

Left-click after the @, then right-click and select Locations > out.
That specifies the maximum output temperature.

d.

Now, complete the expression so that it appears as follows:

maxVal(Temperature)@out - minVal(Temperature)@out

e.

Click Apply.
The new expression appears in the Expressions list. Note the value of the expression.

4.

In the Expressions list, right-click OutTempRange and select Use as Workbench Output Parameter. A
small P with a right-pointing arrow appears on the expression's icon.

5.

Repeat the steps above for a second expression called OutTempAve. This expression will be used to monitor
the output temperature. We expect the overall output temperature to be the average of the two input temperatures
given that the incoming mass flows are equal. Make this expression's definition:
massFlowAve(Temperature)@out
Be sure to also set this expression to Use as Workbench Output Parameter. When you click Apply note the
value of the expression.

6.

Click Save on the ANSYS Workbench toolbar to save the project.

7.

In CFD-Post, select File > Quit.

Investigating the Impact of Changing Design

Parameters Manually
Now you will manually change the values of some design parameters to see what effect each has on the rate of
mixing. These combinations of parameter values where you perform calculations are called design points. As you
make changes to parameters in ANSYS Workbench, CFX-Pre and ANSYS DesignModeler will reflect the current
value automatically; ensure that those programs are open so that you can see the changes take place. In particular,
ensure that CFX-Pre has the Expressions view open.
1.

In the Project Schematic, right-click Parameters (cell A7) and select Edit. A new set of views opens.

2.

Resize the ANSYS Workbench window to be larger, then select View > Project Schematic. The Project
Schematic reappears.

Tip
If necessary, you can close the Toolbox view to gain more space. To restore it, select View >
Toolbox.
When you highlight Parameters (cell A7), among the new views are:

Outline of Schematic A7: Parameters, which lists the input and output parameters and their values (which
match the values observed in previous steps)

Table of Design Points, which lists one design point named Current. Ensure that this view is wide enough to
display the Exported column.

Now you will change the design parameter values from the Outline of Schematic A7: Parameters view:
1.

In the Project Schematic, highlight Parameters (cell A7), then in the Outline of Schematic A7: Parameters
view, change the in2Angle value from 0 to 45 and press Enter.
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Investigating the Impact of Changing Design Parameters Manually

2.

In the Project Schematic, right-click Geometry and select Update. Notice how the geometry changes in
ANSYS DesignModeler.

3.

In the Project Schematic, highlight Parameters (cell A7), then in the Outline of Schematic A7 view, change
the in2Angle value from 45 back to 0 and press Enter.

4.

In the Project Schematic, right-click Geometry and select Update. Again, notice how the geometry changes
in ANSYS DesignModeler.

5.

In the Project Schematic, highlight Parameters (cell A7), then in the Outline of Schematic A7 view, change
the inMassFlow value from 1500 to 1600 and press Enter. Notice how the value of the expression has
changed in the Expressions tree view in CFX-Pre; (the change is not reflected in the Expressions Details
view unless you refresh the contents of the tab, for example by hiding and reopening it).

6.

In the Project Schematic, highlight Parameters (cell A7), then in the Outline of Schematic A7 view, change
the inMassFlow value from 1600 back to 1500 and press Enter.

You have modified design parameter values and returned each to its original value. In doing this, the Outline of
Schematic view's values and the Table of Design Points view's values have become out-of date. Right-click any
cell in the Table of Design Points view's Current row and select Update Selected Design Point. This process
updates the project and all of the ANSYS Workbench views. ANSYS Workbench may also close any open ANSYS
CFX applications and run them in the background. When the update is complete, all of the results cells show current
values and all of the cells that display status are marked as being up-to-date.
Now, you will make changes to design parameters as design points. You will create three design points, each of
which will change the value of one parameter:
1.

In the Project Schematic, highlight Parameters (cell A7). In the Table of Design Points view in the line
under Current, make the following entries to create the first design point (DP 1). Notice that cells autofill
with the values from the Current row, so you need enter only the value that differs from that:

P1 inDia: 1

P2 in2Angle: -45

P3 inMassFlow: 1500

In the Table of Design Points > Exported column, select the check box.

Note
You should save the project once before you export a design point.
Right-click in the row for DP 1 and select Update Selected Design Point.
ANSYS Workbench recalculates all of the values for the input and output parameters. All of the views are
updated.
Because you selected the check box in the Exported column, the update process writes a copy of the project
(as project_name_dpdp_number.wbpj) so that you can refer back to the data for that design point.
2.

Modify the design point (DP 1) using these values, including exporting the design point:

P1 inDia: 1.5

P2 in2Angle: 0

P3 inMassFlow: 1500

Right-click in the row for DP 1 and select Update Selected Design Point.
If you had not kept the check box in the Exported column selected, the data in the design point's project file
would not be rewritten and so the data in that file would not be consistent with the updated results now shown
in ANSYS Workbench.
3.

Repeat the previous step to create the second design point (DP 2) using these values:

P1 inDia: 1

P2 in2Angle: 0

P3 inMassFlow: 1600

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Using Design of Experiments

Right-click in the row for DP 2 and from the tool bar select Update All Design Points. (This command updates
any out-of-date design points in a sequential fashion. In this case as only one design point is out of date, only
it will be updated.)
4.

Click Save on the ANSYS Workbench toolbar to save the project.

Recall that the goal of this design study is to maximize the mixing (which occurs when OutTempRange reaches its
minimum value). From these manual tests, it appears that the best results are obtained by changing the input angle
of one inlet. In all studies, the OutTempAve value stays very near a constant 300 K, as expected.
In the next section you will automate that manual process of repeatedly changing variable values by using Design
Exploration.

Using Design of Experiments

In this section you will use Design Exploration's Goal Driven Optimization feature to minimize the value of
OutTempRange.
1.

If you need to restore the Toolbox, select View > Toolbox. If no systems appear in the Toolbox, select a cell
in the Project Schematic to refresh ANSYS Workbench.

2.

From the Design Exploration toolbox, drag a Goal Driven Optimization system to the Project Schematic
(under the Parameter Set bar).

3.

Double-click the Design of Experiments cell.

4.

In the Outline of Schematic B2: Design of Experiments view:

a.

Enable P2 in2Angle and P3 inMassFlow; clear P1 inDia.

b.

Select cell P3 inMassFlow (cell A6). In the Properties of Outline A6: P3 view, set:

c.

Lower Bound: 1000

Upper Bound: 2000

Select cell P2 in2Angle (cell A5). In the Properties of Outline A5: P2 view, set:

Lower Bound: 45

Upper Bound: 0

5.

In the ANSYS Workbench toolbar, ensure that View > Table is set.

6.

In the ANSYS Workbench toolbar, click Preview Design of Experiments. The Table of Schematic B2:
Design of Experiments appears. This table has nine entries in the Name column, each of which represents a
solver run to be performed. Beside the Name column are columns that have the values for the two input
parameters, and a column to hold the value the solver will obtain for the output parameter. This preview gives
an indication of the time that the nine solver runs will require.

7.

In the Project Schematic, right-click the Design of Experiments cell and select Update. You can monitor
the progress of the solver runs by clicking Show Progress in the lower-right corner of the ANSYS Workbench
window.
When the processing is complete, the Table of Schematic B2: Design of Experiments displays the results.
Click on the down-arrow on the P4 OutTempRange (K) cell to sort in ascending order and show the best
combination of input angle and mass flow. Note that the best results are returned from a low mass flow and
the greatest difference in input angle.

Viewing the Response Surface

To view the response surface for this experiment:
1.

In the ANSYS Workbench menu bar, ensure View > Chart is enabled.

2.

In the Project Schematic, right-click Response Surface and select Update.

3.

In the Outline of Schematic B3; Response Surface view, select Response Surface > Response Points >
Response Point > Response. The results appear in various views:
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Viewing the Optimization

4.

The Toolbox shows the types of charts that are available.

The Response Chart for P4 - OutTempRange shows a 2D graph comparing OutTempRange to in2Angle.

The Properties of Outline A12: Response shows the values that are being used to display the 2D graph.
Note that the other variable that was considered in the Design of Experiments (inMassFlow) is held at
1500.

Add the full range of inMassFlow results to the chart: right-click the chart and select Toggle 2D/3D Chart.
A 3D chart appears that shows in more detail that the best results are returned from a low mass flow and the
greatest difference in input angle.

Viewing the Optimization

To view the optimization for this experiment:
1.

In the Project Schematic, highlight Optimization.

2.

In the Table of Schematic B4: Optimization, change the P4 - OutTempRange / Objective cell from No
Objective to Minimize.

3.

In the Project Schematic, right-click Optimization and select Update.

4.

In the Table of Schematic B4: Optimization, three design point candidates appear with their interpolated
values. Recall that design points are combinations of parameter values where you perform real calculations
(rather than relying on the interpolated values that appear in the response charts). To see all of the candidates
represented graphically, in the Outline of Schematic B4: Optimization, select Chart > Samples. The Samples
Chart appears with the three candidate samples highlighted.

5.

In the Table of Schematic B4: Optimization, right-click on the Candidate A value and select Insert as Design
Point(s).

6.

In the Project Schematic, highlight Parameters. The various views update and in the Table of Design Points
a new design point has appeared.

7.

In the Table of Design Points, the new design point (DP 3) has no values and requests an update. Right-click
the lightning icon and select Update Selected Design Point. You can follow the progress of the update in the
Project Schematic as ANSYS Workbench reruns its calculations for the design point's parameters. Compare
the P4 - OutTempRange value to the value given by the Design of Experiments calculations.

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Chapter 25. Aerodynamic & Structural

Performance of a Centrifugal Compressor
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 379)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 380)

Before You Begin (p. 381)

Starting ANSYS Workbench and Creating a BladeGen System (p. 381)

Reviewing the Centrifugal Compressor Geometry in BladeGen (p. 383)

Creating a CFD Mesh using ANSYS TurboGrid (p. 383)

Defining an Aerodynamic Simulation using CFX-Pre (p. 389)

Obtaining a Solution to the Aerodynamic Simulation using CFX-Solver (p. 391)

Viewing the Results of the Aerodynamic Simulation in CFD-Post (p. 391)

Simulating Structural Stresses due to Pressure Loads (p. 392)

Simulating Structural Stresses due to Rotation (p. 394)

Note
This tutorial is intended to be run on Windows-based machines only.

Tutorial Features
This tutorial addresses the following features of ANSYS Workbench.
Component

Feature

Details

ANSYS BladeGen

Geometry

Transfer of geometry to ANSYS

TurboGrid.

ANSYS TurboGrid

Mesh

H/J/C/L-Grid Topology
Shroud Tip defined by Profile
Control Point Movements
Edge Split Controls
Transfer of Mesh to a CFX System

CFX-Pre

CFD-Post

Turbo Mode

Used to define a Turbomachinery

CFD Simulation

Machine Type

Centrifugal Compressor

Component Type

Rotating

Analysis Type

Steady State

Boundary Template

P-Total Inlet Mass Flow Outlet

Flow Direction

Cylindrical Components

Domain Type

Single Domain

Timestep

Physical Timescale

Report

Computed Results Table

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Blade Loading Span 50
Streamwise Plot of Pt and P
Velocity Streamlines Stream Blade
TE

Static Structural (ANSYS)

System

Static Structural Analysis

CFX Pressure data applied to

Structural Simulation
Fixed Support

Static Structural Solutions

Von Mises Stresses

Total Deformation

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial makes use of several ANSYS software components to simulate the aerodynamic and structural
performance of a centrifugal compressor.

The compressor has 24 blades that revolve about the Z-axis at 22360 RPM. A clearance gap exists between the
blades and the shroud of the compressor. The outer diameter of the blade row is approximately 40 cm.

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Before You Begin

To begin analysis of the aerodynamic performance, a mesh will be created in ANSYS TurboGrid using an existing
design which is to be reviewed beforehand in BladeGen. Once the mesh has been created, initial parameters defining
the aerodynamic simulation will be set in CFX-Pre and then solved in CFX-Solver. The aerodynamic solution from
the solver will then be processed and displayed in CFD-Post.
You will then use the Mechanical application to simulate structural stresses on the blade due to pressure loads from
the aerodynamic analysis and rotationally-induced inertial effects. You will view an animation that shows the
resulting blade distortion.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Starting ANSYS Workbench and Creating a BladeGen

System
1.

Use your operating system's tools to create a directory for your project's files. The directory you create will be
referred to here as the working directory.

2.

Copy the provided geometry file, Centrifugal_Compressor.bgd, from the examples directory to
the working directory.

3.

Start ANSYS Workbench.

To do this in Microsoft Windows, from the Start menu select All Programs > ANSYS 12.1 > Workbench.

4.

From the tool bar, click

5.

In the dialog box that appears, browse to the working directory, set File name to Compressor, and click
Save.

6.

In the Toolbox view, open Component Systems and double-click BladeGen. A BladeGen system opens in
the Project Schematic view, and is ready to be given a name.

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Starting ANSYS Workbench and Creating a BladeGen System

7.

Type Compressor in the name field and then either press Enter or click outside the name field in order to
end the rename operation.
If you need to begin a new rename operation, right-click the blue BladeGen cell (cell A1) and select Rename
from the shortcut menu.
Now that renaming systems has been demonstrated, most of the other systems involved in this tutorial will
simply use default names.

8.

Later in this tutorial, you will require the Blade Design cell to provide the blade geometry to a Geometry cell
of another system. To avoid the fluid zone surrounding the blade from also being provided, change the Blade
Design cell properties as follows:
1.

Right-click the Blade Design cell of the BladeGen system and select Properties.
The Properties view shows properties that control how the geometry is imported into downstream systems.

2.

In the Properties view, clear the Create Fluid Zone check box.
By clearing the check box, you are specifying that only the blade geometry, and not the volume around
the blade, should be sent to downstream cells. The properties should appear as follows:

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Reviewing the Centrifugal Compressor Geometry in BladeGen

You now have a BladeGen system that contains a Blade Design cell; the latter is presently in an unfulfilled state,
as indicated by the question mark. In the next section, you will fulfill the cell requirements by loading the provided
geometry file. In general, you could also fulfill the cell requirements by creating a geometry from scratch.

Reviewing the Centrifugal Compressor Geometry in

BladeGen
This section involves using BladeGen in ANSYS Workbench. BladeGen is a geometry creation tool specifically
designed for turbomachinery blades. In this section, you will simply load the geometry from the provided .bgd
file, and then review the blade design.
1.

Double-click the Blade Design cell.

BladeGen opens.

2.

In BladeGen, select File > Open and load the provided file, Centrifugal_Compressor.bgd, which is
in the working directory.

3.

Observe the blade design shown in BladeGen.

4.

Optionally exit BladeGen.

5.

Return to the Project Schematic view.

The Blade Design cell now displays a green check mark to indicate that the cell is up-to-date. This means that you
now have a geometry for the centrifugal compressor that is ready to be used for meshing purposes. In the next
section, you will create a CFD-compatible mesh based on this geometry.

Creating a CFD Mesh using ANSYS TurboGrid

This section involves using ANSYS TurboGrid in ANSYS Workbench. ANSYS TurboGrid is a mesh creation tool
specifically designed for turbomachinery blades. In this section, you will use ANSYS TurboGrid to produce a
CFD-compatible mesh based on the centrifugal compressor geometry.
1.

In the Project Schematic view, in the BladeGen system, right-click the Blade Design cell and select Transfer
Data To New > TurboGrid.
A TurboGrid system opens in the Project Schematic view, and is ready to be given a name.

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Defining the Shroud Tip

2.

Accept the default name by pressing Enter.

The Turbo Mesh cell displays a pair of green curved arrows to indicate that the cell has not received the latest
upstream data. Normally, you would right-click such a cell and select Refresh to transfer data in from the
upstream cell. However, for a newly-added Turbo Mesh cell (and whenever ANSYS TurboGrid is not open),
this action is not necessary because ANSYS TurboGrid always reads the upstream cell data upon starting up.
If you were to refresh the Turbo Mesh cell, it would show a question mark to indicate that, although the cell's
inputs are current, further attention is required in order to bring the cell to an up-to-date status; that further
action would typically be to run ANSYS TurboGrid and produce a mesh with it.

3.

Double-click the Turbo Mesh cell.

ANSYS TurboGrid opens.

The next several sections guide you through the steps to create a mesh.

Defining the Shroud Tip

For this compressor, the shroud is stationary, and requires a clearance gap between the blade and shroud. Define
the tip of the blade using the second blade profile in the blade geometry:
1.

In ANSYS TurboGrid, in the object selector, double-click Geometry > Blade Set > Shroud Tip.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Shroud Tip

Clearance Type > Tip Option

Profile Number

Tip Profile Number > Tip Profile

Click Apply.
This defines the shroud tip of the blade (the surface of the blade that is nearest to the shroud).

Creating the Topology

In ANSYS TurboGrid, you may choose a topology pattern based on the type of machine being analyzed. For this
geometry, the H/J/C/L-Grid topology will be used.
1.

In the object selector, double-click Topology Set.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Definition

Topology Definition > Method

H/J/C/L-Grid

Include O-Grid > Width Factor

0.2a

Tip Topology > Shroud

H-Grid Not Matching

a
A reduced O-Grid width helps to improve mesh quality where the blade thickness is a large fraction of the passage width, as is the case
at the upstream end of the hub.

3.

Click Apply to set the topology.

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Modifying the Topology

4.

Right-click Topology Set and turn off Suspend Object Updates.

After a short time, the topology is generated.

5.

Click Freeze to freeze the topology settings.

This prevents unintended automatic changes to the topology.

You now have a mesh topology that requires some adjustments before it is suitable for use in creating a mesh. You
can see a 2D preview of the mesh on each of the two layers.

Modifying the Topology

The mesh previews on the hub and shroud tip layers reveal areas that have low mesh angles. You will increase mesh
orthogonality in those areas by using control points. You will also adjust the mesh density locally by using edge
split controls.

Modifying the Hub Layer

1.

Select Display > Blade-to-Blade View > Use Passage Excluding Tip Transform.
The Passage Excluding Tip transform affects how blade-to-blade coordinates are calculated in
preparation for viewing with the Blade-to-Blade (Theta-M') transform (in the next step). Compared to the
Full transform, the Passage Excluding Tip transform usually exhibits less distortion in the viewer
for blades that have a tip that varies in span. By choosing a transform explicitly, you prevent ANSYS TurboGrid
from selecting one of these transforms automatically.

2.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Transformation > Blade-to-Blade (Theta-M').

3.

Click Hide all geometry objects

4.

Turn off the visibility of Layers > Shroud Tip (by clearing the check box next to it) to make the hub
topology more visible.

5.

Open Layers > Hub in the object editor and note that, in the object editor, the mesh measures are shown in
red text.

6.

Double-click Minimum Face Angle to highlight the areas of the mesh that have the smallest angles.

The areas that have the smallest angles are marked with red lines in the viewer.
7.

Zoom in on the leading edge as shown in Figure 25.1, Modifying Control Points on the Hub Layer (p. 386).

8.

Click Select
then move the control points as shown by the displacement vectors in Figure 25.1, Modifying
Control Points on the Hub Layer (p. 386).

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Modifying the Topology

Figure 25.1. Modifying Control Points on the Hub Layer

Confirm that the Minimum Face Angle and Maximum Face Angle mesh measures have improved
for the hub layer.
9.

Right-click the master topology line marked A in Figure 25.2, Adding Edge Split Controls near the Leading
Edge on the Hub Layer (p. 387) and select Insert Edge Split Control from the shortcut menu.

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Modifying the Topology

Figure 25.2. Adding Edge Split Controls near the Leading Edge on the Hub Layer

10. In the object editor, change Split Factor to 2.0.

11. Click Apply.
This causes more elements to be placed along the topology line marked A in the figure.
12. Using the same technique, add an edge split control with the same split factor at the topology line marked B
in Figure 25.2, Adding Edge Split Controls near the Leading Edge on the Hub Layer (p. 387).
The hub layer is now acceptable for the purposes of this tutorial. Note that it is normal for mesh cells next to the
blade to have extremely high aspect ratios. Note also that some elements near the trailing edge appear crooked
or wavy; this is an effect caused by inaccuracies in the viewer transformation to Blade-to-Blade (Theta-M')
coordinates, and will not affect the resulting mesh.

Modifying the Shroud Tip Layer

1.

Turn off the visibility of Layers > Hub.

2.

Turn on the visibility of Layers > Shroud Tip.

3.

Click Fit View

4.

Open Layers > Shroud Tip in the object editor.

5.

Double-click Minimum Face Angle to highlight the areas of the mesh that have the smallest angles.

6.

Zoom in on the leading edge as shown in Figure 25.3, Modifying Control Points on the Shroud Tip
Layer (p. 388).

7.

Click Select
then move the control points as shown by the displacement vectors in Figure 25.3, Modifying
Control Points on the Shroud Tip Layer (p. 388).

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Specifying Mesh Data Settings

Figure 25.3. Modifying Control Points on the Shroud Tip Layer

8.

Confirm that the Minimum Face Angle and Maximum Face Angle mesh measures have improved
for the shroud tip layer.

The topology has been improved. In the next section, you will set some parameters that affect the mesh node count
and distribution.

Specifying Mesh Data Settings

1.

Open Mesh Data for editing.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Mesh Size

Method

Target Passage Mesh Size

Node Count

Medium (100000)

Inlet Domain

(Selected)

Outlet Domain

(Selected)

Spanwise Blade Distribution Parameters > Method

Element Count and Size

Spanwise Blade Distribution Parameters > # of

Elements

25

Spanwise Blade Distribution Parameters > Const

Elements

11

Passage

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Generating the CFD Mesh

Tab

Inlet/Outlet

Setting

Value

O-Grid > Method

Element Count and Size

O-Grid > # of Elements

Inlet Domain > Override default # of Elements

(Selected)

Inlet Domain > Override default # of Elements > # of 50

Elements
Outlet Domain > Override default # of Elements

(Selected)

Outlet Domain > Override default # of Elements > # 25

of Elements
3.

Click Apply.

Note
Your mesh quality could decrease slightly after increasing the node count. If so, you might want
to make minor adjustments to the hub and shroud control points to improve the quality of your
mesh before saving it and using it in the aerodynamic simulation that follows.
4.

Open Layers for editing.

5.

In the list of layers in the object editor, right-click Hub and select Insert Layer After to insert a layer midway
between the hub and shroud tip layers.
This helps to guide the mesh along the blade in the spanwise direction.

Generating the CFD Mesh

With the topology and mesh data defined, the next step is to create a mesh.
1.

Click Insert > Mesh.

After a few moments, the mesh is generated.
You may have noticed that some mesh statistics still show problems. Except for extremely dense meshes, it is
normal that the mesh elements next to the walls have very high length ratios and volume ratios. Further actions
to improve mesh quality are beyond the scope of this tutorial.

2.

Optionally quit ANSYS TurboGrid.

3.

Return to the Project Schematic view.

Defining an Aerodynamic Simulation using CFX-Pre

This section involves using CFX-Pre in ANSYS Workbench. CFX-Pre is a CFD physics preprocessor that has a
Turbo Mode facility for setting up turbomachinery CFD simulations. In this section, you will use CFX-Pre in Turbo
Mode to define a CFD simulation based on the centrifugal compressor mesh that you created earlier.

Creating a New Case

1.

In the Project Schematic view, in the TurboGrid system, right-click the Turbo Mesh cell and select Transfer
Data To New > CFX.
A CFX system opens in the Project Schematic view, and is ready to be given a name.

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Creating a New Case

2.

Accept the default name by pressing Enter.

The Setup cell displays a pair of green curved arrows to indicate that the cell has not received the latest upstream
data. Since you have not yet opened CFX-Pre, you can disregard the cell status; CFX-Pre will automatically
read the upstream cell data upon starting up for the first time (from this cell).

3.

Double-click the Setup cell.

CFX-Pre opens.

4.

Select Tools > Turbo Mode.

5.

In Basic Settings panel, set Machine Type to Centrifugal Compressor, Rotation Axis to Z, and leave
the other settings at their defaults.

6.

Click Next.

7.

On the Component Definition panel, select R1 and set the following values:
Setting

Value

Component Type > Type

Rotating

Component Type > Value

22360 [rev min^-1]

Mesh > Available Volumes > Volumes

Inlet, Outlet, Passage Main

Wall Configuration

(Selected)

Wall Configuration > Tip Clearance at Shroud

Yes

Leave the other settings at their defaults.

8.

Click Next.

9.

On the Physics Definition panel, set the following values:

Setting

Value

Fluid

Air Ideal Gas

Analysis Type > Type

Steady State

Model Data > Reference Pressure

1 [atm]

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > P-Total

Inlet Mass Flow Outlet

(Selected)

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > P-Total

0 [atm]

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > T-Total

20 [C]

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > Mass

Flow

Per Component

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Obtaining a Solution to the Aerodynamic Simulation using CFX-Solver

Setting

Value

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > Mass

Flow Rate

0.167 [kg s^-1]

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > Flow

Direction

Cylindrical Components

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates > Inflow

Direction (a, r, t)

1, 0, 0

Solver Parameters > Convergence Control

Physical Timescale

Solver Parameters > Physical Timescale

0.0002 [s]

Leave the other settings at their defaults.

10. Click Next.
11. On the Interface Definition panel, verify that each interface is set correctly; click an interface listed in the
tree view and then examine the associated settings (shown in the lower portion of the panel) and highlighted
regions in the viewer.
If no regions appear highlighted in the viewer, ensure that highlighting is turned on in the viewer toolbar.
12. Click Next.
13. On the Boundary Definition panel, verify that each boundary is set correctly; click a boundary listed in the
tree view and then examine the associated settings and highlighted regions.
14. Click Next.
15. On the Final Operations panel, leave the operation set to Enter General Mode and click Finish.
16. Optionally quit CFX-Pre.
17. Return to the Project Schematic view.

Obtaining a Solution to the Aerodynamic Simulation

using CFX-Solver
Generate a solution for the CFD simulation that you just prepared:
1.

Right-click the Solution cell of the CFX system and select Update.
After some time, a CFD solution will be generated. If the progress indicator is not visible, you can display it
by clicking
Monitors.

2.

or, to see detailed output, right-click the Solution cell and select Display

After the solution has been generated, return to the Project Schematic view.

Viewing the Results of the Aerodynamic Simulation

in CFD-Post
CFD-Post enables you to view the results in various ways, including tables, charts, and figures. You can present
the results in the form of a report that can be viewed in CFD-Post, or exported for viewing in another application.
Create a report and examine some of the results as follows:
1.

Double-click the Results cell.

CFD-Post opens.

2.

Click File > Report > Load 'Centrifugal Compressor Rotor Report' Template.

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Simulating Structural Stresses due to Pressure Loads

3.

In the tree view, under Report, double-click Compressor Performance Results Table.
This table presents measures of aerodynamic performance including required power and efficiencies.

4.

Double-click Blade Loading Span 50.

This is a plot of the pressure vs. streamwise distance along both the pressure and suction sides of the blade at
mid-span.

5.

Double-click Streamwise Plot of Pt and P.

This is a plot of the streamwise variation of pressure and total pressure.

6.

Double-click Velocity Streamlines Stream Blade TE View.

This is a trailing-edge view of the streamlines that start upstream of the blade.

7.

To view a full report, click the Report Viewer tab found near the bottom right of the window.
A report will be generated (this may take a few minutes) that includes all figures available under Report in
the tree view. This report can be viewed in CFD-Post or published to be viewed externally as an .html or
.txt file.
Note that if you have visited the Report Viewer tab before loading the template, or have otherwise made any
changes to the report definition after first viewing the report, you need to click
to update the report as displayed.

8.

Optionally quit CFD-Post.

9.

Return to the Project Schematic view.

in the Report Viewer

Simulating Structural Stresses due to Pressure

Loads
This section describes the steps required to simulate structural stresses on the blade due to pressure loads from the
aerodynamic analysis.
1.

In the Project Schematic view, in the BladeGen system, right-click the Blade Design cell and select Transfer
Data To New > Static Structural (ANSYS).
A Static Structural (ANSYS) system opens in the Project Schematic view, and is ready to be given a name.

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Simulating Structural Stresses due to Pressure Loads

2.

Accept the default name by pressing Enter.

3.

Right-click the Geometry cell and select Update.

DesignModeler runs in the background, and imports the geometry from BladeGen.

4.

Right-click the Model cell and select Update.

The Mechanical application runs in the background, and imports the solid model of the centrifugal compressor.

5.

Connect the Solution cell of the CFX system to the Setup cell of the Static Structural (ANSYS) system.
This makes the CFD solution data available for use in a structural analysis.

6.

Double-click the Setup cell. If a dialog box asks you if you want to read the upstream data, click Yes.
The Mechanical application opens so that you can prepare a static structural analysis.

7.

Select the following object from the tree view: Project > Model (D4) > Static Structural (D5)
> Imported Load (Solution) > Imported Pressure.

8.

In the details view, click the field beside Scope > Geometry, then select the blade surface (the large surface;
not the thin surface along the edge) by clicking it in the viewer.

9.

In the details view next to Scope > Geometry, click Apply.

The field beside Geometry should now display the text 1 Face. You have now chosen the solid model surface
onto which to apply the CFD pressure data.

10. In the details view, click the field beside Transfer Definition > CFD Surface, and select R1 Blade from
the drop-down.
You have now chosen the CFD boundary from which to get the CFD pressure data.
11. Right-click Project > Model (D4) > Static Structural (D5) in the tree view and select Insert
> Fixed Support.
12. In the viewer, right-click a blank area of the screen and select View > Bottom.
13. Select the long thin face of the blade that is at the forefront of the displayed geometry.
14. In the details view next to Scope > Geometry, click Apply.
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Simulating Structural Stresses due to Rotation

The face that you selected is now connected to the hub.
15. In the tree view, right-click Project > Model (D4) > Static Structural (D5) > Solution
(D6) and select Insert > Stress > Equivalent (von-Mises).
and wait for the solver to finish.

16. From the tool bar, click Solve

17. To verify that the pressure data was applied correctly to the blade, inspect Project > Model (D4) >
Static Structural (D5) > Imported Load (Solution) > Imported Pressure >
Imported Load Transfer Summary.
The significant discrepancy shown in the load transfer summary is due to a difference in geometry; the surface
onto which the CFX pressures were mapped does not include the blade tip or trailing-edge surfaces. In general,
accurate load mapping requires that the surfaces match in terms of geometry and the length scale of mesh
elements.
18. Click Project > Model (D4) > Static Structural (D5) > Solution (D6) > Equivalent
Stress to prepare to examine the von-Mises stress results.
19. Animate the physical deformation of the blade along with the associated von-Mises stress results, by clicking
Play

in the Graph window.

Note
You may need to drag the viewer window up in order to see the Graph window.
20. Right-click Project > Model (D4) > Static Structural (D5) > Solution (D6) and select
Insert > Deformation > Total.
21. From the tool bar, click Solve

When the solver has finished, select Project > Model (D4) > Static Structural (D5) >
Solution (D6) > Total Deformation to prepare to examine the Total Deformation solution.
22. Animate the physical deformation by clicking the Play button in the Graph window.
23. Select File > Close Mechanical.
24. Return to the Project Schematic view.

Simulating Structural Stresses due to Rotation

This section shows how to add inertial effects due to rotation.
1.

Right-click the upper-left corner of the Static Structural (ANSYS) system and select Duplicate.
A second Static Structural (ANSYS) system appears, with its Geometry, and Model cells taking information
from the same sources as in the original system.

2.

Rename the newly created system from Copy of Static Structural (ANSYS) to With Rotation.

3.

Right-click the Model cell in the new system and select Update.
Wait until you see a green check mark in that cell.

4.

Double-click the Setup cell in the new system.

The Mechanical application opens.

5.

Make sure that Project > Model (E4) > Static Structural (E5) is selected in the tree view,
then click the Inertial button in the toolbar and select Rotational Velocity.

6.

From the main menu, select Units > RPM.

7.

In the details view for Rotational Velocity, change Definition > Define By to Components.

8.

In the details view, set Definition > Z Component to 22360.

(The value will become 22360 RPM (ramped) when you finish entering the number.)

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Simulating Structural Stresses due to Rotation

9.

From the tool bar, click Solve

10. To animate the total deformation or equivalent stress of the blade, select the corresponding object (either
Total Deformation or Equivalent Stress, respectively) under Project > Model (E4) >
Static Structural (E5) > Solution (E6) and click Play

in the Graph window.

11. Select File > Close Mechanical.

12. Return to the Project Schematic view.
13. From the tool bar, click

to save the project.

14. Exit ANSYS Workbench.

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Chapter 26. Axial Turbine Equilibrium and

Non-Equilibrium Steam Predictions
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 397)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 398)

Before You Begin (p. 400)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 400)

Defining the Equilibrium Case in CFX-Pre (p. 401)

Obtaining a Solution for the Equilibrium Case (p. 407)

Viewing the Equilibrium Case Results in CFD-Post (p. 407)

Defining the Non-Equilibrium Case in CFX-Pre (p. 408)

Obtaining a Solution for the Non-Equilibrium Case (p. 411)

Viewing the Non-Equilibrium Case Results in CFD-Post (p. 412)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Selection of material properties from the International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam
(IAPWS) database.

Setting property table ranges.

Setting up an equilibrium steam calculation.

Reviewing solution variables particular to the equilibrium solution.

Setting up a non-equilibrium steam calculation.

Post-processing features special to the non-equilibrium solution.

Reviewing solution variables particular to the non-equilibrium solution.

Component

Feature

Details

ANSYS CFX-Pre

User Mode

Turbo Wizard

Machine Type

Axial Turbine

Fluid Type

Binary Homogeneous Mixture

(equilibrium solution)
Multi-Fluid Model
(non-equilibrium solution)

Domain Type

Multiple Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Total Energy (equilibrium

solution)
Fluid Dependent
(non-equilibrium solution)

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (subsonic): Total

Pressure/Temperature and

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Component

Feature

Details
Mass Fraction(s) (equilibrium
solution)
Inlet (subsonic): Total
Pressure/Temperature, Volume
Fractions and Droplet Number
(non-equilibrium solution)
Outlet: Static Pressure

Domain Interfaces

Frozen Rotor
Periodic

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Material Properties

IAPWS Water Database

Fluid Pair Models

Small droplet heat transfer,

small droplet phase change
(non-equilibrium solution)

Fluid Models

Nucleation, small droplet

temperature, droplets with
phase change (non-equilibrium
solution)

Location

Turbo Surface

Plots

Contour

Overview of the Problem to Solve

The following tutorial uses an axial turbine to demonstrate setting up and executing equilibrium and non-equilibrium
steam calculations using the IAPWS water database for properties.
The full geometry contains 60 stator blades and 113 rotor blades. The following figure shows approximately half
of the full geometry. The inflow average velocity is in the order of 100 m/s.

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

The geometry to be modeled consists of a single stator blade passage and two rotor blade passages. This is an
approximation to the full geometry since the ratio of rotor blades to stator blades is close to, but not exactly, 2:1.
In the stator blade passage a 6 section is being modeled (360/60 blades), while in the rotor blade passage, a 6.372
section is being modeled (2*360/113 blades). This produces a pitch ratio at the interface between the stator and
rotor of 0.942. As the flow crosses the interface, it is scaled to allow this type of geometry to be modeled. This
results in an approximation of the inflow to the rotor passage. Furthermore, the flow across the interface will not
appear continuous due to the scaling applied.
In this example, the rotor rotates at 523.6 rad/s about the Z-axis while the stator is stationary. Periodic boundaries
are used to allow only a small section of the full geometry to be modeled.
The important problem parameters are:

Total inlet pressure = 0.265 bar

Static outlet pressure = 0.0662 bar

Total inlet temperature = 328.5 K

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399

Before You Begin

In this tutorial, you will generate two steady-state solutions: one using a multicomponent fluid consisting of a
homogeneous binary mixture of liquid water and water vapor, the other using two separate phases to represent liquid
water and water vapor in a non-equilibrium simulation. The solution variables particular to the equilibrium and
non-equilibrium solutions will be processed in order to understand the differences between the two solutions.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

WaterVaporEq.pre

WaterVaporEq.cfx

WaterVaporNonEq.pre

stator.gtm

rotor.grd

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

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Defining the Equilibrium Case in CFX-Pre

Defining the Equilibrium Case in CFX-Pre

The following sections describe the equilibrium simulation setup in CFX-Pre.
If you want to set up the simulation automatically and continue to Obtaining a Solution for the Equilibrium
Case (p. 407), run WaterVaporEq.pre.
This tutorial uses the Turbomachinery wizard in CFX-Pre. This pre-processing mode is designed to simplify the
setup of turbomachinery simulations.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select Turbomachinery and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type WaterVaporEq.

5.

If you are notified the file already exists, click Overwrite.

This file is provided in the tutorial directory and may exist in your working directory if you have copied it
there.

6.

Click Save.

Basic Settings
1.

Set Machine Type to Axial Turbine.

2.

Click Next.

Component Definition
Two new components are required. As you specify them, CFX-Pre imports the meshes.
1.

Right-click a blank area near the Component Definition tree and select Add Component from the shortcut
menu.

2.

Create a new component of type Stationary, named S1.

3.

Apply the following setting:

Setting

Value

Mesh > File

stator.gtm [1 (p. 401)]

Footnote
1.

You may have to select the CFX Mesh (*gtm *cfx) option under Files of type in order
to see the file.

4.

Create a new component of type Rotating, named R1.

5.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

Component Type >

Value

523.6 [radian s^-1]

Mesh > File

rotor.grd [1 (p. 402)]

Options > Mesh Units

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Physics Definition

Footnote
1.

You may have to select the CFX-TASCflow (*grd) option under Files of type in order
to see the file.

Note
The components must be ordered as above (stator then rotor) in order for the interface to be created
correctly. The order of the two components can be changed, if necessary, by right-clicking S1 and
selecting Move Component Up.
When a component is defined, Turbo Mode will automatically select a list of regions that have been recognized
as potential boundaries and interfaces. This information should be reviewed in the Region Information section,
situated below the Mesh section, to ensure that all is correct. This information will be used to help set up
boundary conditions and interfaces. The upper case turbo regions that are selected (e.g., HUB) correspond to
the region names in the CFX-TASCflow grd file. CFX-TASCflow turbomachinery meshes use these names
consistently.
6.

Click Next.

Physics Definition
In this section, you will set properties of the fluid domain and some solver parameters. Note that initially you will
choose the fluid to be Water Ideal Gas, but later you will create a new fluid based on the IAPWS database
for water and override this initial setting with it.
1.

Apply the following settings

Tab

Setting

Value

Physics Definition

Fluid

Water Ideal Gas

Analysis Type > Type

Steady State

Model Data > Reference Pressure

0 [atm] [1 (p. 402)]

Model Data > Heat Transfer

Total Energy

Model Data > Turbulence

k-Epsilon

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates >

P-Total Inlet P-Static Outlet

(Selected)

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates >

P-Total

0.265 [bar]

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates >

P-Static

0.0662 [bar]

Inflow/Outflow Boundary Templates >

T-Total

328.5 [K] [2 (p. 403)]

Interface > Default Type

Frozen Rotor

Solver Parameters > Convergence Control Physical Timescale

Solver Parameters > Physical Timescale

0.0005 [s] [3 (p. 403)]

Footnotes
1.

Because this tutorial involves vaporization, you should use absolute pressures throughout.
This can be accomplished by setting the reference pressure to 0 atm.
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Interface Definition

2.

2.

From the problem description.

3.

The physical timescale that will be set up is derived from the rotational speed of the 113 rotor
blades. See the ANSYS CFX Best Practices Guide for Turbomachinery, where an explanation
of how this value is calculated is provided.

Click Next.

Interface Definition
CFX-Pre will try to create appropriate interfaces using the region names viewed previously in the Region Information
section (in the Component Definition setup screen). In this case, you should see that a periodic interface has been
generated for both the rotor and the stator. The generated periodic interface can be edited or deleted. Interfaces are
required when modeling a small section of the true geometry. An interface is also needed to connect the two
components together across the frame change.
1.

Review the various interfaces but do not change them.

2.

Click Next.

Boundary Definition
CFX-Pre will try to create appropriate boundary conditions using the region names presented previously in the
Region Information section. In this case, you should see a list of generated boundary conditions. They can be
edited or deleted in the same way as the interface connections that were set up earlier.
1.

Review the various boundary definitions but do not change them.

2.

Click Next.

Final Operations
1.

Set Operation to Enter General Mode.

2.

Click Finish.
After you click Finish, a dialog box appears stating that Turbo report will not be included in the solver file
because you are entering General Mode.

3.

Click Yes to continue.

Defining the Properties of Water

Earlier in the physics definition portion of the Turbomachinery wizard, you specified Water Ideal Gas as the
fluid in the domain. Here, you will specify a homogeneous binary mixture to replace it. To create the mixture, you
will take two pure fluids from the IAPWS database for water and combine them. The pure fluids that will be
combined are H2Og, representing water vapor, and H2Ol, representing liquid water. The mixture will be named
H2Olg.
The present simulations use the published IAPWS-IF97 (International Association for the Properties of Water and
Steam - Industrial Formulation 1997) water tables for properties. The published IAPWS-IF97 equations have been
implemented in ANSYS CFX, allowing you to directly select them for use in your simulations. The present example
uses these properties in a tabular format requiring you to specify the range of the properties (such as min/max
pressure and temperature bounds) and the number of data points in each table. Note that the IAPWS-IF97 properties
have been tested for extrapolation into metastable regions, a fact that will be used for the non-equilibrium calculations
that require this kind of state information.
1.

Click Material

2.

Name the new material H2Og.

3.

Enter the following settings for H2Og:

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Defining the Properties of Water

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Material Group

IAPWS IF97

Thermodynamic State

(Selected)

Thermodynamic State > Thermodynamic Gas

State
Material Properties

Thermodynamic Properties > Table

Generation

(Selected)

Thermodynamic Properties > Table

Generation > Minimum Temperature

(Selected)

Thermodynamic Properties > Table

Generation > Minimum Temperature >
Min. Temperature

250 [K] [1 (p. 404)]

Thermodynamic Properties > Table

Generation > Maximum Temperature

(Selected)

Thermodynamic Properties > Table

Generation > Maximum Temperature >
Max. Temperature

400 [K]

Thermodynamic Properties > Table

(Selected)
Generation > Minimum Absolute Pressure
Thermodynamic Properties > Table
0.01 [bar]
Generation > Minimum Absolute Pressure
> Min. Absolute Pres.
Thermodynamic Properties > Table
(Selected)
Generation > Maximum Absolute Pressure
Thermodynamic Properties > Table
0.6 [bar]
Generation > Maximum Absolute Pressure
> Max. Absolute Pres.
Thermodynamic Properties > Table
Generation > Maximum Points

(Selected)

Thermodynamic Properties > Table

Generation > Maximum Points >
Maximum Points

100

Footnote
1.

The H2Og minimum temperature is set to 250 K as the vapor might possibly supercool (in the
NES calculations) to temperatures lower than the triple point temperature.

4.

Click OK.

5.

In the Outline tree, under Materials, right-click H2Og and select Duplicate.

6.

Rename Copy of H2Og to H2Ol (using the letter l as in liquid).

7.

Open H2Ol for editing.

8.

On the Basic Settings tab, change Thermodynamic State > Thermodynamic State from Gas to Liquid.

9.

Click OK

10. Create a new material named H2Olg.

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Modifications to Domain and Boundary Conditions

11. Enter the following settings for H2Olg:
Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Options

Homogeneous Binary Mixture

Material Group

IAPWS IF97

Material 1

H2Og

Material 2

H2Ol

Option

IAPWS Library

Table Generation

(Selected)

Saturation Properties

Table Generation > Minimum Temperature (Selected)

Table Generation > Minimum Temperature 273.15 [K] [1 (p. 405)]
> Min. Temperature
Table Generation > Maximum
Temperature

(Selected)

Table Generation > Maximum

Temperature > Max. Temperature

400 [K]

Table Generation > Minimum Absolute

Pressure

(Selected)

Table Generation > Minimum Absolute

Pressure > Min. Absolute Pres.

0.01 [bar]

Table Generation > Maximum Absolute

Pressure

(Selected)

Table Generation > Maximum Absolute

Pressure > Max. Absolute Pres.

0.6 [bar]

Table Generation > Maximum Points

(Selected)

Thermodynamic Properties > Table

Generation > Maximum Points >
Maximum Points

100

Footnote
1.

The minimum temperature is set to 273.15 K due to the fact that the saturation properties
implied by H2Ogl are not likely to be used below the triple point temperature.

12. Click OK.

Modifications to Domain and Boundary Conditions

You now need to update the initial setting for the domain fluid (initially set while in the Turbomachinery wizard)
with the new homogeneous binary mixture fluid you have just created. This mixture (H2Olg) acts as a container
fluid identifying two child materials, H2Ol and H2Og, each representing the liquid and vapor properties in the pure
fluid system. The equilibrium solution uses the binary mixture fluid, H2Olg, and assumes that equilibrium conditions
relate H2Ol and H2Og at all times. In the non-equilibrium solution (in the second part of this tutorial), H2Ol and
H2Og are each used separately to define the fluids that are active in the domain; this is a requirement since the
equilibrium constraint is no longer applicable in that case.
1.

Open domain R1 for editing.

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Setting Initial Values

2.

On the Basic Settings tab under Fluid and Particle Definitions, delete any existing items by selecting them
and clicking Remove selected item

3.

Click Add new item

4.

Set Name to H2Olg and click OK.

5.

Set Fluid and Particle Definitions > H2Olg > Material to H2Olg and click Apply.

6.

On the Fluid Models tab set Component Models > Component > H2Og > Option to Equilibrium
Fraction and click OK.

7.

Open Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 > S1 > S1 Inlet for editing.

8.

On the Boundary Details tab, set Component Details > H2Og > Mass Fraction to 1.0.

9.

Click OK.

Setting Initial Values

1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Enter the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Global Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > U

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > V

0 [m s^-1]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > W

100 [m s^-1] [1 (p. 406)]

Initial Conditions > Static Pressure >

Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Static Pressure >

Relative Pressure

0.2 [bar]

Initial Conditions > Temperature > Option Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Temperature >
Temperature

328.5 [K] [1 (p. 406)]

Initial Conditions > Component Details > Automatic with Value

H2Og > Option
Initial Conditions > Component Details > 1.0
H2Og > Mass Fraction

Footnote
1.
3.

From the problem description.

Click OK.

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

WaterVaporEq.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

Quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file.

Obtaining a Solution for the Equilibrium Case

When CFX-Pre has shut down, and CFX-Solver Manager has started, obtain a solution to the CFD problem by
following the instructions below.
1.

In CFX-Solver Manager, click Start Run.

2.

At the end of the run, on the completion message that appears, select Post-Process Results.

3.

If using Standalone mode, select Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

4.

Click OK.

Viewing the Equilibrium Case Results in CFD-Post

The equilibrium case produces solution variables unique to these model settings. The most important ones are static
pressure, mass fraction and temperature, which will be briefly described here.
1.

When CFD-Post starts, the Domain Selector dialog box might appear. If it does, ensure that both the R1 and
S1 domains are selected, then click OK to load the results from these domains.

2.

Click the Turbo tab.

3.

The Turbo Initialization dialog box is displayed, and asks you whether you want to auto-initialize all
components. Click Yes.
The Turbo tree view shows the two components in domains R1 and S1. In this case, the initialization works
without problems. If there were any problems initializing a component, this would be indicated in the tree
view.

Note
If you do not see the Turbo Initialization dialog box, or as an alternative to using that dialog box,
you can initialize all components by clicking the Initialize All Components button which is visible
initially by default, or after double-clicking the Initialization object in the Turbo tree view.

Displaying the Equilibrium Solution Variables using Contour

Plots
Make a 2D surface at 50% span to be used as a locator for plots:
1.

On the main menu select Insert > Location > Turbo Surface and name it Turbo Surface 1.

2.

On the Geometry tab, set Method to Constant Span and Value to 0.5.

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Turn off the visibility of Turbo Surface 1.

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Defining the Non-Equilibrium Case in CFX-Pre

Static Pressure and Mass Fraction Contour Plots

In the equilibrium solution, phase transition occurs the moment saturation conditions are reached in the flow. The
amount of moisture ultimately created from phase transition is determined in the following manner.
The static pressure solution field yields the saturation enthalpy through the function h sat ( P ) , available from the
IAPWS database. During the solution, if the predicted mixture static enthalpy, h, falls below h sat ( P ) at any point,
the mass fraction of the condensed phase (also called wetness) can be directly calculated also based on the IAPWS
properties. The degree to which wetness is generated depends on the amount by which h is less than h sat ( P ) .
Note that the mass fraction is predicted at each iteration in the solution, and is used to update other two-phase
mixture properties required at each step in the solution. The final results therefore include all of the two-phase
influences, but assuming equilibrium conditions. The equilibrium solution mass fraction contour plot will be
compared to the non-equilibrium solution one in Viewing the Non-Equilibrium Case Results in CFD-Post (p. 412).
In the next step, you are asked to create the pressure and mass fraction contour plots.
1.

Create a static pressure contour plot on Turbo Surface 1:

a.

Create a new contour plot named Static Pressure.

b.

In the Details view on the Geometry tab, set Locations to Turbo Surface 1 and Variable to
Pressure, then click Apply.

2.

Turn off the visibility of Static Pressure when you have finished observing the results.

3.

Create a contour plot on Turbo Surface 1 that shows the mass fraction of the liquid phase:

4.

a.

Create a new contour plot named Mass Fraction of Liquid Phase.

b.

In the Details view on the Geometry tab, set Locations to Turbo Surface 1 and Variable to
H2Ol.Mass Fraction, then click Apply.

Turn off the visibility of Mass Fraction of Liquid Phase when you have finished observing the results.

Static Temperature Contour Plots

In the equilibrium solution, the condensed and gas phases share the same temperature and, as a result, predictions
of thermodynamic losses are not possible.
In the following step you are asked to view the temperature field in the solution, and note that, due to the equilibrium
constraint, it represents conditions for the mixture.
1.

2.

Create a contour plot on Turbo Surface 1 that shows the static temperature.
a.

Create a new contour plot named Static Temperature.

b.

In the Details view on the Geometry tab, set Locations to Turbo Surface 1 and Variable to
Temperature, then click Apply.

Once you have observed the results save the state and exit CFD-Post.

Defining the Non-Equilibrium Case in CFX-Pre

The non-equilibrium calculation introduces a number of additional transport equations to the equilibrium solution,
namely volume fractions for each phase and droplet number for all condensing phases. In addition, energy equations
need to be specified for each of the phases in the solution. The setup of these equations is automated based on model
selections to be described subsequently. Important to the predictions are interphase heat and mass transfer between
the vapor and condensed phases due to small droplets created by homogeneous nucleation. Selection of the required
phase pair conditions is made easier by provision of special small droplet models (where small droplet implies
droplet sizes generally below one m). Phase transition is initiated based on predicted metastable state (measured
by supercooling level) conditions in the flow in conjunction with a classical homogeneous nucleation model.
The non-equilibrium solution is therefore closely dependent on the evolving conditions along the flow path leading
to phase transition and subsequent strong interaction (by heat/mass transfer) between phases.
If you want to set up the non-equilibrium simulation automatically and continue to Obtaining a Solution for the
Non-Equilibrium Case (p. 411), run WaterVaporNonEq.pre.
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Opening the Existing Simulation

Opening the Existing Simulation

1.

If CFX-Pre is not already running, start it.

2.

Select File > Open Case.

3.

If required, set the path location to the tutorial directory.

4.

Select the simulation file WaterVaporEq.cfx.

5.

Click Open.

6.

Select File > Save Case As.

7.

Change the name to WaterVaporNonEq.cfx.

8.

Click Save.

Modifying the Domains

The non-equilibrium case is different from the equilibrium case in that the creation of the second phase (that is, the
liquid water) is based on vapor supercooling in conjunction with fluid expansion rate and a nucleation model. The
location where the phase transition happens is not specified, but evolves as part of the solution.
In this section, you will specify a nucleation model for the phase that is considered condensable. For details on the
nucleation model, see Droplet Condensation Model (p. 168) in the ANSYS CFX-Solver Modeling Guide.
You will also set the droplet number and volume fraction of the condensable phase to zero at the inlet. The
condensable phase will appear within the domain by homogeneous nucleation. If this case were to involve wetness
at the inlet, you would have a choice of specifying either droplet number or droplet diameter as a boundary along
with the volume fraction.
1.

Open domain R1.

2.

On the Basic Settings tab under Fluid and Particle Definitions, delete any existing items by selecting them
and clicking Remove selected item

3.

Create two new materials named H2Og and H2Ol by using the Add new item

4.

Apply the following settings to domain R1:

icon.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Fluid and Particle Definitions

H2Og

Fluid and Particle Definitions > H2Og >

Material

H2Og

Fluid and Particle Definitions > H2Og >

Morphology > Option

Continuous Fluid

Fluid and Particle Definitions

H2Ol

Fluid and Particle Definitions > H2Ol >

Material

H2Ol

Fluid and Particle Definitions > H2Ol >

Morphology > Option

Droplets (Phase Change)

Multiphase > Homogeneous Model

(Selected)

Heat Transfer > Homogeneous Model

(Cleared)

Heat Transfer > Option

Fluid Dependent

Fluid

H2Og

Fluid Models

Fluid Specific Models

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Modifying the Domains

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid > H2Og > Heat Transfer > Heat

Transfer > Option

Total Energy

Fluid

H2Ol

Fluid > H2Ol > Heat Transfer > Heat

Transfer > Option

Small Droplet Temperature

Fluid > H2Ol > Nucleation Model

(Selected)

Fluid > H2Ol > Nucleation Model >

Option

Homogeneous

Fluid > H2Ol > Nucleation Model >

(Selected)
[1 (p. 410)]
Nucleation Bulk Tension Factor

Fluid Pair Models

Fluid > H2Ol > Nucleation Model >

Nucleation Bulk Tension Factor >
Nucleation Bulk Tension

0.85

Fluid Pair

H2Og | H2Ol

Fluid Pair > H2Og | H2Ol > Interphase

Transfer > Option

Particle Model

Fluid Pair > H2Og | H2Ol > Mass Transfer Phase Change
> Option
Fluid Pair > H2Og | H2Ol > Mass Transfer Small Droplets
> Phase Change Model > Option
Fluid Pair > H2Og | H2Ol > Heat Transfer Small Droplets
> Option

Footnote
1.

The Nucleation Bulk Tension Factor scales the bulk surface tension values used in the
nucleation model. Classical nucleation models are very sensitive to the bulk surface tension,
and only slight adjustments will modify the nucleation rate quite significantly. It is common
practice in CFD simulations to alter the bulk surface tension values slightly in order to bring
results in-line with experiment. The values of Nucleation Bulk Tension Factor range from
0.8 to 1.1 for water. Studies suggest that with the IAPWS database and conditions less than 1
bar, a Nucleation Bulk Tension Factor of 0.85 is the best first setting.

Note
The small droplet setting for H2Ol heat transfer implies that the temperature is algebraically
determined as a function of the droplet diameter, which in turn is calculated from other solution
variables such as H2Ol volume fraction and droplet number.
5.

Click OK.

6.

Apply the same settings to domain S1.

7.

Open S1 Inlet and enter the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Heat Transfer > Option

Fluid Dependent

Fluid Values

Boundary Conditions

H2Og
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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Conditions > H2Og > Heat

Transfer > Option

Total Temperature

Boundary Conditions > H2Og > Heat

Transfer > Total Temperature

328.5 [K]

Boundary Conditions > H2Og > Volume 1.0

Fraction > Volume Fraction
Boundary Conditions

H2Ol

Boundary Conditions > H2Ol > Volume

Fraction > Volume Fraction

Boundary Conditions > H2Ol > Droplet

Number > Option

Specified Number [1 (p. 411)]

Boundary Conditions > H2Ol > Droplet

Number > Droplet Number

0 [m^-3]

Footnote
1.

Not Specified Diameter.

8.

Click OK.

9.

Click Solver Control

10. On the Basic Settings tab, set Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control > Physical Timescale to
5e-005 [s] and click OK.
Because the non-equilibrium simulation involves vapor and therefore tends to be unstable, it is recommended
that you set the physical timescale to a relatively small value. The value set here was found to be suitable for
this simulation by trial and error.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

WaterVaporNonEq.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

Quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution for the Non-Equilibrium Case

The Define Run dialog box will be displayed when CFX-Solver Manager launches. CFX-Solver Input File will
already be set to the name of the CFX-Solver input file just written.
1.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take some time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box appears.

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Viewing the Non-Equilibrium Case Results in CFD-Post

Note
You may notice messages in the solver output regarding problems with evaluating material properties.
This is a result of the absolute pressure reaching values outside the range of internal material property
tables. In this case, the messages are temporary and stop appearing well before convergence. If you
encounter a simulation where the messages persist, or you otherwise suspect that the results might
be adversely affected, you can change the ranges of internal material property tables by editing the
relevant materials in CFX-Pre.
2.

At the end of the run, on the completion message that appears, select Post-Process Results.

3.

If using Standalone mode, select Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

4.

Click OK.

Viewing the Non-Equilibrium Case Results in

CFD-Post
The non-equilibrium calculation creates a number of solution variables. The most important ones, which are briefly
described in the following section, are supercooling, nucleation rate, droplet number, mass fraction, and particle
diameter.
1.

When CFD-Post starts, the Domain Selector dialog box might appear. If it does, ensure that both the R1 and
S1 domains are selected, then click OK to load the results from these domains.

2.

Click the Turbo tab.

3.

The Turbo Initialization dialog box is displayed, and asks you whether you want to auto-initialize all
components. Click Yes.
The Turbo tree view shows the two components in domains R1 and S1. In this case, the initialization works
without problems. If there were any problems initializing a component, this would be indicated in the tree
view.

Note
If you do not see the Turbo Initialization dialog box, or as an alternative to using that dialog box,
you can initialize all components by clicking the Initialize All Components button which is visible
initially by default, or after double-clicking the Initialization object in the Turbo tree view.

Displaying the Non-Equilibrium Solution Variables using

Contour Plots
Make a 2D surface at 50% span to be used as a locator for plots:
1.

On the main menu select Insert > Location > Turbo Surface and name it Turbo Surface 1.

2.

On the Geometry tab, set Method to Constant Span and Value to 0.5.

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Turn off the visibility of Turbo Surface 1.

Supercooling Contour Plot

The non-equilibrium solution provides considerable detail on conditions related to phase transition. In particular,
the solution tracks the evolution of metastable conditions in the flow through a supercooling variable obtained on
the basis of local pressure and gas phase temperature. The supercooling level is the primary variable influencing
the nucleation model. The nucleation model provides an estimate of the rate of production of critically sized nuclei
that are stable enough to grow in a supercooled vapor flow.
In the next step, you will plot the level of supercooling, where the supercooling represents the difference between
the saturation temperature, set by the local pressure in the flow, and the associated local gas phase temperature. At
the inlet, supercooling is often shown as negative, indicating superheated conditions. At equilibrium conditions, no
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Displaying the Non-Equilibrium Solution Variables using Contour Plots

supercooling is allowed since liquid and vapor phases always share the same temperature. Also, critical homogeneous
nucleation at pressures below one atmosphere generally involves supercooling levels of up to 35 to 40K, depending
on rate of expansion in the flow.
1.

Create a supercooling contour plot on Turbo Surface 1.

This will display the degree of non-equilibrium conditions in the gas phase prior to homogeneous phase
transition.

2.

1.

Create a new contour plot named Supercooling.

2.

In the Details view on the Geometry tab, set Locations to Turbo Surface 1 and Variable to
H2Og.Supercooling then click Apply.

Turn off the visibility of Supercooling when you have finished observing the results.

Nucleation Rate and Droplet Number Contour Plots

In the next step, you will plot the nucleation rate to show the level of nucleation attained, along with the droplet
number concentration that is present in the flow following nucleation. Note that the nucleation rates reach very high
levels, with peak values remaining in the flow for only a short time (that is, as long as supercooled conditions
remain). The supercooled droplets released at nucleation grow rapidly, taking mass from the vapor phase and
releasing thermal energy, which acts to rapidly reduce vapor supercooling to near zero. This fact removes further
significant nucleation and is why the phase transition process is limited to a narrow region in the flow in most cases.
1.

Create a nucleation rate contour plot on Turbo Surface 1.

This will display the nucleation front at the point of maximum supercooling.
1.

Create a new contour plot named Nucleation Rate.

2.

In the Details view on the Geometry tab, set Locations to Turbo Surface 1 and Variable to
H2Ol.Nucleation Rate.

3.

Set Range to Local and then click Apply.

2.

Turn off the visibility of Nucleation Rate when you have finished observing the results.

3.

Create a droplet number contour plot on Turbo Surface 1.

This will display the predicted droplet concentration resulting from phase transition.

4.

1.

Create a new contour plot named Droplet Number.

2.

In the Details view on the Geometry tab, set Locations to Turbo Surface 1 and Variable to
H2Ol.Droplet Number.

3.

Click Apply.

Turn off the visibility of Droplet Number when you have finished observing the results.

Mass Fraction and Particle Diameter Contour Plots

In this section, you will plot the mass fraction (or wetness) of the condensed phase. From the mass fraction and
droplet number, it is possible to derive a particle diameter, which you will also plot in this section. Notice that the
particle diameters appear in the flow at very small sizes, in the range of 5.0E-9 m, but grow rapidly so that, when
leaving the nucleation zone, they are approximately an order of magnitude larger. Since the pressure is dropping
through the turbine, droplet sizes continue to increase along with the wetness. To emphasize the particle diameters
proceeding out of the nucleation zone, you will set the contour range for viewing. In flow regions near walls, where
expansion rate is reduced, small amounts of liquid may have droplet diameters that grow to large sizes relative to
those coming from the nucleation zone. Without setting the range, these particle diameters near the walls will be
emphasized.
1.

Create a contour plot showing the mass fraction of the condensed phase on Turbo Surface 1.
Condensed droplets grow in size and accumulate mass at the expense of the gas phase.
1.

Create a new contour plot named Mass Fraction of Condensed Phase H2Ol.

2.

In the details view on the Geometry tab, set Locations to Turbo Surface 1 and Variable to
H2Ol.Mass Fraction.

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Displaying the Non-Equilibrium Solution Variables using Contour Plots

3.

Click Apply.
Comparing the mass fraction in the non-equilibrium case to the equilibrium solution previously viewed,
you can see that phase transition is considerably delayed such that it occurs in the blade passages of the
rotor rather than the stator. This is a typical consequence of non-equilibrium flow, and reflects real flow
situations.

2.

Turn off the visibility of Mass Fraction of Condensed Phase H2Ol when you have finished observing the
results.

3.

Create a particle diameter contour plot on Turbo Surface 1.

The size of the condensed droplets is calculated from the droplet number and volume fraction of the condensed
phase.

4.

1.

Create a new contour plot named Particle Diameter.

2.

In the Details view on the Geometry tab, set Locations to Turbo Surface 1 and Variable to
H2Ol.Particle Diameter.

3.

Set Range to User Specified then set Min to 0 [m] and Max to 1e-07 [m].

4.

Click Apply.

Turn off the visibility of Particle Diameter when you have finished observing the results.

Gas and Condensed Phase Static Temperature Contour Plots

In a non-equilibrium prediction, the gas phase temperature is different from the condensed phase temperature. The
former is determined from a transport equation and the latter from an algebraic relationship relating droplet
temperature to its diameter (through a small droplet model already described).
In this section, you will plot the different temperature fields. It should be noted that, for the case of the condensed
phase temperature field, before droplets are actually formed, there is no meaningful droplet temperature. At the
point droplets are formed by nucleation, their temperature is at the gas phase. Once the droplets have grown in size,
their temperature is very close to the saturation temperature. Because the non-equilibrium solution considers the
condensed phase temperatures separate from the gas phase, the influence of thermodynamic losses are included in
the predictions. This is because it becomes possible to account for heat flow between the vapor and condensed
phases as they pass through the domain. Due to this, non-equilibrium efficiency predictions are more accurate than
ones obtained using an equilibrium model.
1.

Create a gas phase static temperature contour plot on Turbo Surface 1:

1.

Create a new contour plot named Gas Phase Static Temperature.

2.

In the Details view on the Geometry tab, set Locations to Turbo Surface 1 and Variable to
H2Og.Temperature.

3.

Click Apply.

2.

Turn off the visibility of Gas Phase Static Temperature when you have finished observing the results.

3.

Create a condensed phase static temperature contour plot on Turbo Surface 1.

4.

1.

Create a new contour plot named Condensed Phase Static Temperature.

2.

In the Details view on the Geometry tab, set Locations to Turbo Surface 1 and Variable to
H2Ol.Temperature.

3.

Click Apply.

Once you have observed the results, save the state and exit CFD-Post.

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Chapter 27. Modeling a Gear Pump using

an Immersed Solid
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 415)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 416)

Before You Begin (p. 417)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 417)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 417)

Importing the Mesh (p. 417)

Creating Expressions for Time Step and Total Time (p. 417)

Setting the Analysis Type (p. 418)

Creating the Domains (p. 418)

Creating the Domain Interface (p. 421)

Creating Boundary Conditions (p. 422)

Setting Solver Control (p. 423)

Setting Output Control (p. 424)

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File (p. 424)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 425)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 426)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Setting up an immersed solids domain.

Applying a counter-rotating wall boundary.

Monitoring an expression during a solver run.

Creating an XY-transient chart in CFD-Post.

Creating a keyframe animation.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Domain Type

Immersed Solid
Fluid Domain

Analysis Type

Transient

Fluid Type

Continuous Fluid

Boundary Conditions

Inlet Boundary
Outlet Boundary

CFD-Post

Domain Interface

Fluid Fluid

Chart

Mass Flow Rate

Animation

Keyframe

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Overview of the Problem to Solve

Overview of the Problem to Solve

In this tutorial, you will simulate a gear pump that drives a flow of water. This tutorial makes use of the Immersed
Solids capability of ANSYS CFX in order to model a solid that moves through a fluid. For more information on
immersed solids see Immersed Solids (p. 11).

The outlet has an average relative static pressure of 1 psi; the relative total pressure at the inlet is 0 psi. The inner
rotor (gear) rotates at a rate of 7 revolutions per second; the outer rotor rotates at 6 revolutions per second. The
diameter of the fluid region between the rotors is approximately 7.3 cm.
You will use an immersed solid domain to model the inner rotor, a rotating fluid domain to model the water
immediately surrounding the inner rotor, and a stationary fluid domain to model the water in the inlet and outlet
channels. To model the stationary pump housing (not shown in the figure), you will apply a counter-rotating wall
condition to the top (high Z) surface of the rotating fluid domain, on the non-overlap portion (which lies between
the inlet and outlet channels). To model the upper surfaces of the teeth of the outer rotor, you will apply a rotating
wall condition on the non-overlap portions of the lower (low Z) surfaces of the inlet and outlet chambers. For more
information about non-overlap conditions, see Non-overlap Boundary Conditions (p. 133) in the ANSYS CFX-Solver
Modeling Guide.
The following conditions will be met to promote the establishment of a cyclic flow pattern:

The mesh of the rotating domain should be rotationally periodic so that it looks the same after each (outer) rotor
tooth passes.

The mesh on the outer boundary of the immersed solid domain should be rotationally periodic so that it looks
the same after each (inner) rotor tooth passes. (The mesh inside the immersed solid domain has no effect in this
tutorial.)
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Before You Begin

An integer number of time steps should pass as one rotor tooth passes.

Before You Begin

It is strongly recommended that you complete the previous tutorials before trying this one. However, if this is the
first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

ImmersedSolid.pre

ImmersedSolid.gtm

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the case automatically using a tutorial session file, run ImmersedSolid.pre. For details,
see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 425).
If you want to set up the case manually, proceed to the following steps:
This section describes the step-by-step definition of the flow physics in CFX-Pre for a steady-state simulation.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type ImmersedSolid.cfx.

5.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned off.
Default domain generation should be turned off because you will create three domains manually later in this
tutorial.

2.

Click OK.

3.

Select File > Import > Mesh.

4.

In the Import Mesh dialog box, set Files of type to CFX Mesh (*gtm *cfx) and select
ImmersedSolid.gtm from your working directory.

5.

Click Open.

Creating Expressions for Time Step and Total Time

Next, you will create an expression defining the time step size for this transient analysis. One tooth of the inner (or
outer) rotor passes every 1/42 s. Choose a time step that resolves this motion in 30 intervals.
1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Expressions, Functions and Variables > Expression.

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Setting the Analysis Type

2.

In the Insert Expression dialog box, type dt.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Set Definition, to (1/42)[s]/30.

5.

Click Apply to create the expression.

Next, you will create an expression defining the total simulation time. Make the simulation run long enough for 3
rotor teeth to pass: 3/42 s. This will give the solution time to establish a periodic nature.
1.

Create an expression called total time.

2.

Set Definition to (3/42)[s].

3.

Click Apply.

Setting the Analysis Type

Define the simulation as transient, using the expressions you created earlier.
1.

Under the Outline tab, edit Analysis Type

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

External Solver Coupling > Option

None

Analysis Type > Option

Transient

Analysis Type > Time Duration >

Option

Total Time

Analysis Type > Time Duration > Total total time [1 (p. 418)]
Time
Analysis Type > Time Steps > Option

Timesteps

Analysis Type > Time Steps >

Timesteps

dt

Analysis Type > Initial Time > Option Automatic with Value
Analysis Type > Initial Time > Time

0 [s]

Footnote
1.
3.

You first need to click the Enter Expression

icon beside the field.

Click OK.

Creating the Domains

This simulation requires three domains: two fluid domains and one immersed solid domain. First you will create
an immersed solid domain.

Creating an Immersed Solid Domain

Ensure that no default domain is present under Flow Analysis 1. If a default domain is present, right-click it
and select Delete.
Create the immersed solid domain as follows:

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Creating the Stationary Fluid Domain

1.

Select Insert > Domain from the main menu, or click Domain

2.

In the Insert Domain dialog box, set the name to ImmersedSolid and click OK.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

Inner Rotor

Location and Type > Domain Type

Immersed Solid

Location and Type > Coordinate Frame Coord 0

Domain Models > Domain Motion >
Option

Rotating

Domain Models > Domain Motion >

Angular Velocity

7 [rev s^-1]

Domain Models > Domain Motion >

Axis Definition > Option

Two Points

Domain Models > Domain Motion > 0.00383, 0, 0

Axis Definition > Rotation Axis From
Domain Models > Domain Motion >
Axis Definition > Rotation Axis To
4.

0.00383, 0, 1

Click OK.

Creating the Stationary Fluid Domain

Create the stationary fluid domain according to the problem description:
1.

Create a new domain named StationaryFluid.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

Channels

Location and Type > Domain Type

Fluid Domain

Location and Type > Coordinate Frame Coord 0

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Fluid 1

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 Material Library

> Option
Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 Water
> Material
Fluid and Particle Definitions > Fluid 1 Continuous Fluid
> Morphology > Option
Domain Models > Pressure > Reference 0 [psi]
Pressure
Domain Models > Buoyancy > Option Non Buoyant

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Creating the Rotating Fluid Domain

Tab

Setting

Value

Domain Models > Domain Motion >

Option

Stationary

Domain Models > Mesh Deformation > None

Option
Fluid Models

Initialization

Heat Transfer > Option

None

Turbulence > Option

k-Epsilon

Turbulence > Wall Function

Scalable

Combustion > Option

None

Thermal Radiation > Option

None

Domain Initialization

(Selected)

Domain Initialization > Initial

Conditions > Velocity Type

Cartesian

Domain Initialization > Initial

Conditions > Cartesian Velocity
Components > Option

Automatic with Value

Domain Initialization > Initial

Conditions > Cartesian Velocity
Components > U

0 [m s^-1]

Domain Initialization > Initial

Conditions > Cartesian Velocity
Components > V

0 [m s^-1]

Domain Initialization > Initial

Conditions > Cartesian Velocity
Components > W

0 [m s^-1]

Domain Initialization > Initial

Automatic with Value
Conditions > Static Pressure > Option
Domain Initialization > Initial
0 [psi]
Conditions > Static Pressure > Relative
Pressure
Domain Initialization > Initial
Conditions > Turbulence > Option
3.

Medium Intensity and Eddy

Viscosity Ratio

Click OK.

Creating the Rotating Fluid Domain

Create the rotating fluid domain according to the problem description:
1.

From the Outline tree view, right-click Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 > StationaryFluid and
select Duplicate.

2.

Right-click Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 > Copy of StationaryFluid and select Rename.

3.

Rename the domain to RotatingFluid.

4.

Edit RotatingFluid.

5.

Apply the following settings:

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Creating the Domain Interface

6.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

Gear Chamber

Domain Models > Domain Motion >

Option

Rotating

Domain Models > Domain Motion >

Angular Velocity

6 [rev s^-1]

Domain Models > Domain Motion >

Axis Definition > Option

Coordinate Axis

Domain Models > Domain Motion >

Axis Definition > Rotation Axis

Global Z

Click OK.

Creating the Domain Interface

Add a domain interface that connects the StationaryFluid and RotatingFluid domains:
1.

Click Insert > Domain Interface from the main menu or click Domain Interface

2.

Accept the default domain interface name and click OK.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Fluid

Interface Side 1 > Domain (Filter)

StationaryFluid

Interface Side 1 > Region List

Channel Side

Interface Side 2 > Domain (Filter)

RotatingFluid

Interface Side 2 > Region List

Chamber Side

Interface Models > Option

General Connection

Interface Models > Frame Change/Mixing

Model > Option

Transient Rotor Stator

Interface Models > Pitch Change > Option

None

Mesh Connection Method > Mesh Connection GGI

> Option
Additional Interface Mass and Momentum > Option
Models
Mass and Momentum > Interface Model >
Option
4.

Conservative Interface Flux

None

Click OK.

Apply a counter-rotating no-slip wall condition to the non-overlap portion of the domain interface on the rotating
domain side, because this surface represents part of the stationary housing of the pump.
1.

Edit RotatingFluid > Domain Interface 1 Side 2.

If this object does not appear in the tree view, then edit Case Options > General, select Show Interface
Boundaries in Outline Tree, and click OK.

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Creating Boundary Conditions

2.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Nonoverlap Conditions

(Selected)

Nonoverlap Conditions > Mass and

Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Nonoverlap Conditions > Mass and

Momentum > Wall Velocity

(Selected)

Nonoverlap Conditions > Mass and

Momentum > Wall Velocity > Option

Counter Rotating Wall

Click OK.

Apply a rotating no-slip wall condition to the non-overlap portions of the domain interface on the stationary domain
side, because these surfaces represent faces of the rotor teeth of the outer rotor, and the latter rotates at 6 rev/s about
the Z axis.
1.

Edit StationaryFluid > Domain Interface 1 Side 1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Nonoverlap Conditions

(Selected)

Nonoverlap Conditions > Mass and

Momentum > Option

No Slip Wall

Nonoverlap Conditions > Mass and

Momentum > Wall Velocity

(Selected)

Nonoverlap Conditions > Mass and

Momentum > Wall Velocity > Option

Rotating Wall

Nonoverlap Conditions > Mass and

Momentum > Wall Velocity > Angular
Velocity

6 [rev s^-1]

Nonoverlap Conditions > Mass and

Momentum > Wall Velocity > Axis
Definition > Option

Coordinate Axis

Nonoverlap Conditions > Mass and

Momentum > Wall Velocity > Axis
Definition > Rotation Axis

Global Z

Click OK.

Creating Boundary Conditions

This section outlines the steps to create the inlet and outlet boundary conditions, as specified in the problem
description.

Inlet Boundary
Create a total pressure inlet at a relative pressure of 0 psi:
1.

In the Outline tree view, right-click StationaryFluid and select Insert > Boundary.
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Outlet Boundary
2.

Set Name to in and click OK.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

Inlet

Mass And Momentum > Option

Total Pressure (stable)

Boundary Details

Mass And Momentum > Relative Pressure 0 [psi]

4.

Flow Direction > Option

Normal to Boundary Condition

Turbulence > Option

Medium (Intensity = 5%)

Click OK.

Outlet Boundary
Create an outlet with a relative average static pressure of 1 psi:
1.

Create a boundary named out in the StationaryFluid domain.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

Outlet

Mass And Momentum > Option

Average Static Pressure

Boundary Details

Mass And Momentum > Relative Pressure 1 [psi]

3.

Mass And Momentum > Pres. Profile

Blend

0.05

Pressure Averaging > Option

Average Over Whole Outlet

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Advection Scheme > Option

High Resolution

Transient Scheme > Option

Second Order Backward Euler

Transient Scheme > Timestep Initialization Automatic

> Option
Turbulence Numerics > Option

First Order

Convergence Control > Min. Coeff. Loops

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Setting Output Control

Tab

Setting

Value

Convergence Control > Max. Coeff. Loops 10

3.

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Timescale Control

Coefficient Loops

Convergence Criteria > Residual Type

RMS

Convergence Criteria > Residual Target

1.0 E 4

Click OK.

Setting Output Control

Set up the solver to output transient results files that record pressure, velocity, and velocity in the stationary frame,
on every time step:
1.

Click Output Control

2.

Click the Trn Results tab.

3.

In the Transient Results list box, click Add new item

click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings to Transient Results 1:

Setting

Value

Option

Selected Variables

File Compression

Default

Output Variables List

Pressure, Velocity, Velocity in

Stn Frame

Output Boundary Flows

(Selected)

Output Boundary Flows > Boundary Flows

All

Output Frequency > Option

Every Timestep

5.

Click the Monitor tab.

6.

Select Monitor Options.

7.

Under Monitor Points and Expressions:

8.

, set Name to Transient Results 1, and

1.

Click Add new item

2.

Accept the default name and click OK.

3.

Set Option to Expression.

4.

Set Expression Value to massFlow()@in.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

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Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

3.

Setting

Value

File name

ImmersedSolid.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

Note
Due to sensitivity to initial conditions, this problem cannot be run in parallel and therefore must be run
in serial.
When CFX-Pre has shut down and the CFX-Solver Manager has started, obtain a solution to the CFD problem by
following the instructions below:
1.

In CFX-Solver Manager, ensure that the Define Run dialog box is displayed.
If CFX-Solver Manager is launched from CFX-Pre, the information required to perform a solver run is entered
automatically in the Define Run dialog box.

2.

Click Start Run.

The solver run begins and the progress is displayed in a split screen.

3.

Click the User Points tab (which appears after the first time step has been computed) and monitor the value
of Monitor Point 1 as the solution proceeds.

4.

Rescale the monitor plot so that you can readily see the time-periodic oscillations in mass flow that occur after
the initial transient phase:
1.

Right-click anywhere in the User Points plot and select Monitor Properties.

2.

In the Monitor Properties: User Points dialog box, on the Range Settings tab, select Set Manual Scale
(Linear).

3.

Set the lower and upper bounds to 0.015 and 0.055 respectively.

4.

Click OK.

5.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

6.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

7.

Click OK.

Note
During the Solver Manager run, you may observe a notice at the 47th and 48th time steps warning you
that A wall has been placed at portion(s) of an OUTLET boundary condition ... to prevent fluid from
flowing into the domain. The mass flow at the inlet drops to its lowest level throughout the cycle at
this point, causing a reduction in the velocity at the outlet. Because there is turbulence at the outlet, this
reduced velocity allows a tiny vortex to produce a small, virtually negligible, amount of backflow at the
outlet. Figure 27.1, Velocity Vectors on the Outlet (p. 426) shows velocity vectors at the outlet when
the mass flow at the inlet is lowest (48th time step) and when the mass flow is greatest (88th time step).
In the figure, you can see where this slight backflow occurs for the 48th time step.

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

Figure 27.1. Velocity Vectors on the Outlet

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

In this section, you will generate a chart to show the mass flow rate through the machine as a function of time. You
will also prepare an animation of the machine in operation, complete with velocity vectors.

Creating a Chart of Mass Flow versus Time

During the solver run, you observed a monitor plot that showed mass flow versus time step. Here, you will make a
similar plot of mass flow versus time. As you did in the monitor plot, adjust the vertical axis range to focus on the
time-periodic oscillations in mass flow that occur after the initial transient phase.
1.

Create a new chart named Mass Flow Rate.

The Chart Viewer tab appears.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

General

Type

XY-Transient or Sequence

Title

Mass Flow Rate at the Inlet

over Time

3.

Click the Data Series tab.

4.

If the Data Series list box is empty, right-click in it and select New, or click New

5.

Apply the following settings:

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Creating a Velocity Vector Plot

Tab

Setting

Value

Data Series

Series 1

(Selected)

Name

Inlet Mass Flow

Data Source > Expression

(Selected)

Data Source > Expression

massFlow()@in [1 (p. 427)]

Axis Range > Determine ranges

automatically

(Cleared)

Axis Range > Min

0.015

Axis Range > Max

0.055

Y Axis

Footnote
1.

6.

You will have to either type it manually or right-click and choose Functions > CFD-Post >
massFlow()@ from the shortcut menu, then type in.

Click Apply.

The mass flow rate settles into a repeating pattern with a period of 1/42 s, which is the time it takes a rotor tooth to
pass.

Creating a Velocity Vector Plot

Create a slice plane and then make a vector plot on the slice plane as follows:
1.

Click the 3D Viewer tab.

2.

Create a new plane named Plane 1.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Domains

RotatingFluid

Definition > Method

XY Plane

Definition > Z

0.003 [m]

4.

Click Apply.

5.

Turn off the visibility of Plane 1.

6.

Create a new vector plot named Vector 1.

7.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Domains

All Domains

Definition > Locations

Plane 1

Definition > Sampling

Rectangular Grid

Definition > Spacing

0.03

Definition > Variable

Velocity

Mode

Use Plot Variable

Color

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Changing the Appearance in Preparation for an Animation

Tab

Symbol

8.

Setting

Value

Range

User Specified

Min

0 [m s^-1]

Max

0.8 [m s^-1]

Symbol

Arrow3D

Symbol Size

15

Normalized Symbols

(Cleared)

Click Apply.

Changing the Appearance in Preparation for an Animation

Make the inlet and outlet visible as follows:
1.

Edit StationaryFluid > in.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Render

Show Faces

(Cleared)

Show Mesh Lines

(Selected)

Show Mesh Lines > Edge Angle

105 [degree]

Show Mesh Lines > Line Width

Show Mesh Lines > Color Mode

Default

3.

Click Apply.

4.

Apply the same settings to StationaryFluid > out.

Make the inlet and outlet channels visible as follows:

1.

Edit StationaryFluid > StationaryFluid Default.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Render

Show Faces

(Selected)

Show Faces > Transparency

0.8

Show Mesh Lines

(Cleared)

Click Apply.

Make the walls of the rotating fluid domain visible as follows:

1.

Edit RotatingFluid > RotatingFluid Default.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Constant

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Creating a Keyframe Animation

Tab

Render

3.

Setting

Value

Color

(White)

Show Faces

(Selected)

Show Faces > Transparency

0.0

Show Mesh Lines

(Cleared)

Click Apply.

Make the walls of the immersed solid domain visible as follows:

1.

Edit ImmersedSolid > ImmersedSolid Default.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Constant

Color

(Blue)

Show Faces

(Selected)

Show Faces > Transparency

0.0

Show Mesh Lines

(Cleared)

Render

3.

Click Apply.

Make the following other changes in preparation for the animation that you will create in the next section:
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards +Z.

2.

Rotate the view a few degrees so that you can see the 3D nature of the geometry.

3.

Turn off the visibility of User Locations and Plots > Wireframe.

Creating a Keyframe Animation

In this section, you will generate an animation that shows the changing velocity field on Plane 1. To take advantage
of the periodic nature of the solution, you will record a short animation that can be played in a repeating loop in an
MPEG player. Start the animation at the 61st time step (a time at which the flow has settled into a repeating pattern)
and end it at the 90th time step. The 60th time step corresponds with 2/42 s, and the 90th corresponds with 3/42 s;
the 1/42 s interval is the period over which the solution repeats. Because the 60th and 90th time steps look the same,
the 60th time step is omitted to avoid having a pair of adjacent identical frames in the animation when the latter is
played in a repeating loop.
and load the 61st time step.

1.

Click Timestep Selector

2.

Click Animation

3.

In the Animation dialog box, select the Keyframe Animation option.

4.

Click New

5.

Select KeyframeNo1, then set # of Frames to 28, then press Enter while the cursor is in the # of Frames
box.

to create KeyframeNo1.

Tip
Be sure to press Enter and confirm that the new number appears in the list before continuing.
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Creating a Keyframe Animation

6.

Use the Timestep Selector to load the 90th time step.

7.

In the Animation dialog box, click New

8.

Ensure that More Animation Options

9.

Select Loop.

10. Ensure that the Repeat forever button

to create KeyframeNo2.
is pushed down to show more animation settings.

next to Repeat is not selected (not pushed down).

11. Select Save Movie.

12. Set Format to MPEG1.
13. Click Browse

next to Save Movie.

14. Set File name to ImmersedSolid.mpg.

15. If required, set the path location to a different directory.
16. Click Save.
The movie file name (including path) has been set, but the animation has not yet been produced.
17. Click To Beginning

This ensures that the animation will begin at the first keyframe.
18. After the first keyframe has been loaded, click Play the animation

The MPEG will be created as the animation proceeds.

This will be slow, since results for each time step will be loaded and objects will be created.

To view the movie file, you need to use a viewer that supports the MPEG format.

Note
To explore additional animation options, click the Options button. On the Advanced tab of the
Animation Options dialog box, there is a Save Frames As Image Files check box. By selecting
this check box, the JPEG or PPM files used to encode each frame of the movie will persist after
movie creation; otherwise, they will be deleted.
19. When you have finished, quit CFD-Post.

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Chapter 28. Drop Curve for Cavitating Flow

in a Pump
This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 431)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 431)

Before You Begin (p. 432)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 433)

High Pressure Simulation of Pump without Cavitation Model (p. 433)

High Pressure Simulation of Pump with Cavitation Model (p. 439)

Pump Simulation with Cavitation Model Over Range of Inlet Pressures (p. 442)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Preparing and running a series of related simulations to generate cavitation performance data for a pump.

Creating a drop curve chart in CFD-Post.

Using isosurfaces in CFD-Post to visualize regions of cavitation.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State
Transient

Fluid Type

Water at 25 C
Water Vapour at 25 C

Fluid Models

Homogeneous Model

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Isothermal

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)
Wall (Counter Rotating)

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Time Scale

Plots

Contour

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial uses a simple pump to illustrate the basic concepts of setting up, running and postprocessing a cavitation
problem in ANSYS CFX.
When liquid is suddenly accelerated in order to move around an obstruction, a decrease in the local pressure is
present. Sometimes, this pressure decrease is substantial enough that the pressure falls below the saturation pressure
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431

Before You Begin

determined by the temperature of the liquid. In such cases, the fluid begins to vaporize in a process called cavitation.
Cavitation involves a very rapid increase in the volume occupied by a given mass of fluid, and when significant,
can influence the flow distribution and operating performance of the device. In addition, the vaporization of the
liquid, and the subsequent collapse of the vapor bubbles as the local pressure recovers, can cause damage to solid
surfaces. For these reasons (among others), it is desirable, in the design and operation of devices required to move
liquid, to be able to determine if cavitation is present, including where and the extent of the cavitation. Furthermore
it is also useful to examine this behavior for a range of conditions. For details please refer to the CFX Best Practices
Guide for Cavitation (p. 101).
The model conditions for this example are turbulent and incompressible. The speed and direction of rotation of the
pump is 132 rad/sec about the Z-axis (positive rotation following the right hand rule). The relevant problem parameters
are:

Inflow total pressure = 100000 Pa

Outflow mass flow = 16 kg/s

Inlet turbulence intensity = 0.03

Inlet length scale = 0.03 m

The SHF (Societe Hydraulique Francaise) pump has seven impeller blades. Due to the periodic nature of the
geometry, only a single blade passage of the original pump needs to be modeled, thus minimizing the computer
resources required to obtain a solution.
The objective of this tutorial is to show pump cavitation performance in the form of a drop curve. The drop curve
is a chart of Head versus Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH). This tutorial provides the data for the drop curve, but
also has instructions for optionally generating the data by running a series of simulations with progressively lower
inlet pressures. Each simulation is initialized with the results of the previous simulation.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

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Starting CFX-Pre

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

CavitationIni.pre

CavitationIni.cfx

Cavitation_100000.pre

Cavitation.gtm

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

High Pressure Simulation of Pump without Cavitation

Model
A steady-state high-pressure (inlet pressure of 100,000 Pa) simulation of the pump without cavitation (that is,
simulation of the pump without water vapor) will first be set up to be used as an initial values file for the cavitation
simulation later on in the tutorial.
If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run CavitationIni.pre. For
details, see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver
Manager (p. 438).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Select File > Save Case As.

4.

Under File name, type CavitationIni.cfx.

5.

Click Save.

6.

Choose to overwrite CavitationIni.cfx if the software asks you for confirmation.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Right-click Mesh and select Import Mesh > Other.

The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

2.

3.

Apply the following settings

Setting

Value

Files of type

CFX Mesh (*gtm *cfx)

File name

Cavitation.gtm

Click Open.

Loading Materials
Since this tutorial uses water at 25 C and water vapor at 25 C, you need to load these materials. Note that you
will only use the liquid water for the first part of the tutorial. The vapor is being loaded now in anticipation of using
it for the cavitation model later in the tutorial.
1.

In the Outline tree view, right-click Simulation > Materials and select Import Library Data.
The Select Library Data to Import dialog box is displayed.

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Creating the Domain

2.

Expand Water Data.

3.

Select both Water at 25 C and Water Vapour at 25 C, holding the Ctrl key.

4.

Click OK.

Creating the Domain

1.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned on.
A domain named Default Domain should appear under the Simulation branch.

2.

Rename Default Domain to Pump.

3.

Edit Pump.

4.

Under Fluid and Particle Definitions, delete Fluid 1 and create a new fluid definition named Liquid
Water.

5.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Liquid Water

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Liquid

Water > Material

Water at 25 C [1 (p. 434)]

Domain Models > Pressure > Reference

Pressure

0 [atm]

Domain Models > Domain Motion >

Option

Rotating

Domain Models > Domain Motion >

Angular Velocity

132 [radian s^-1]

Footnote
1.
6.

Click the Ellipsis icon

to open the Material dialog box.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundaries

Inlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named Inlet.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

INBlock INFLOW

Mass And Momentum > Option

Stat. Frame Tot. Press

Boundary Details

Mass And Momentum > Relative Pressure 100000 [Pa]

Flow Direction > Option

Cartesian Components

Flow Direction > X Component

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Creating the Boundaries

Tab

Setting

Value

Flow Direction > Y Component

Flow Direction > Z Component

Turbulence > Option

Intensity and Length Scale

Turbulence > Option > Fractional Intensity 0.03

Turbulence > Option > Eddy Length Scale 0.03 [m]
3.

Click OK.

Outlet Boundary
1.

Create a new boundary named Outlet.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

OUTBlock OUTFLOW

Mass and Momentum > Option

Mass Flow Rate

Boundary Details

Mass and Momentum > Mass Flow Rate 16 [kg/s]

3.

Click OK.

Wall Boundaries
Set up the hub and shroud to be a stationary (non-rotating) wall.
1.

Create a new boundary named Stationary Wall.

2.

Apply the following settings to Stationary Wall:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

OUTBlock HUB, OUTBlock

SHROUD [1 (p. 435)]

Mass and Momentum > Wall Velocity

(Selected)

Mass and Momentum > Wall Velocity >

Option

Counter Rotating Wall

Boundary Details

Footnote
1.

3.

Click the Ellipsis icon

to open the Selection Dialog dialog box. In that dialog box, select
OUTBlock HUB and OUTBlock SHROUD, holding the CTRL key. Click OK.

Click OK.

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Creating Domain Interfaces

Creating Domain Interfaces

1.

Click Insert > Domain Interface and, in the dialog box that appears, set Name to Periodic Interface
and click OK.

2.

Apply the following settings to Periodic Interface:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Side 1 > Region List

INBlock PER1, OUTBlock

PER1, Passage PER1 [1 (p. 436)]

Interface Side 2 > Region List

INBlock PER2, OUTBlock

PER2, Passage PER2 [2 (p. 436)]

Interface Models > Option

Rotational Periodicity

Footnotes

3.

1.

Click the Ellipsis icon

to open the Selection Dialog dialog box. In that dialog box, select
INBlock PER1,OUTBlock PER1 and Passage PER1, holding the CTRL key. Click
OK.

2.

Click the Ellipsis icon

to open the Selection Dialog dialog box. In that dialog box, select
INBlock PER2,OUTBlock PER2 and Passage PER2, holding the CTRL key. Click
OK.

Click OK.

Inblock to Passage Interface

1.

Select Insert > Domain Interface and in the dialog box that appears, set Name to Inblock to Passage
Interface and click OK.

2.

Apply the following settings to Inblock to Passage Interface:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Side 1 > Region List

OUTFLOW INBlock

Interface Side 2 > Region List

INFLOW Passage

Mesh Connection Method > Mesh

Connection > Option

1:1

Click OK.

Passage to Outblock Interface

1.

Select Insert > Domain Interface and in the dialog box that appears, set the Name to Passage to
Outblock Interface and click OK.

2.

Apply the following settings to Passage to Outblock Interface:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Side 1 > Region List

OUTFLOW Passage

Interface Side 2 > Region List

INFLOW OUTBlock

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Setting Initial Values

Tab

3.

Setting

Value

Mesh Connection Method > Mesh

Connection > Option

1:1

Click OK.

With the boundary conditions and domain interfaces defined above, the default boundary of a rotating wall is applied
to the blade and the upstream portions of the hub and shroud.

Setting Initial Values

The initial values that will be setup are consistent with the inlet boundary conditions settings.
1.

Click Global Initialization

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Global Settings

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > U

0 [m/s]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > V

0 [m/s]

Initial Conditions > Cartesian Velocity

Components > W

1 [m/s]

Initial Conditions > Static Pressure >

Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Static Pressure >

Relative Pressure

100000 [Pa]

Initial Conditions > Turbulence > Option Intensity and Length Scale

3.

Initial Conditions > Turbulence >

Fractional Intensity > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Turbulence >

Fractional Intensity > Value

0.03

Initial Conditions > Turbulence > Eddy

Length Scale > Option

Automatic with Value

Initial Conditions > Turbulence > Eddy

Length Scale > Value

0.03 [m]

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Max Iterations

500

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Physical Timescale

1e-3[s] [1 (p. 438)]

Convergence Criteria > Residual Target

7.5e-6

Footnote
1.

3.

The physical timescale that will be setup is derived from the rotational speed of the blades and
the fact that there are 7 blades in the full machine.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

CavitationIni.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

Save the simulation.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

CFX-Solver Manager should be running. You will be able to obtain a solution to the CFD problem by following
the instructions below.
1.

Ensure Define Run is displayed.

2.

Click Start Run.

You may see a notice about an artificial wall at the inlet. This notice indicates that the flow is trying to exit at
the inlet. This can be ignored because the amount of reverse flow is very low.
CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed stating that the simulation has completed.

3.

At the end of the run, on the completion message that appears, select Post-Process Results.

4.

If using Standalone mode, select Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

Post-Processing the Solution for High-Pressure Simulation of

Pump without Cavitation Model
CFD-Post should be running.

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High Pressure Simulation of Pump with Cavitation Model

This case is run with temperatures around 300 K. The vapor pressure of water at this temperature is around 3574
Pa. To confirm that water vapor or cavitation is not likely for this operating condition of the pump, an isosurface
of pressure at 3574 Pa will be created.
Create an isosurface of pressure at 3574 [Pa]:
1.

Select Insert > Location > Isosurface and accept the default name.

2.

Apply the following settings in the Details view:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Variable

Pressure

Definition > Value

3574 [Pa]

Click Apply.
Notice that the isosurface does not appear. There is no place in the blade passage where the pressure is equal
to 3574 Pa, which implies that there is no water vapor.

4.

Quit CFD-Post, saving the state at your discretion.

High Pressure Simulation of Pump with Cavitation

Model
CFX-Pre should be running; start it if necessary.
The simulation will be modified in CFX-Pre to include water vapor and enable the cavitation model. Monitor points
will also be defined to observe the Net Positive Suction Head (NSPH) and pressure head values.
If you want to set up the simulation automatically and continue to Obtaining a Solution using CFX-Solver
Manager (p. 442), run Cavitation_100000.pre.

Defining the Simulation in CFX-Pre

The following topics are discussed:

Modifying the Domain and Boundary Conditions (p. 439)

Creating Expressions (p. 441)

Adding Monitor Points (p. 441)

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File (p. 441)

Modifying the Domain and Boundary Conditions

1.

If CFX-Pre is not already running, start it.

2.

Open CavitationIni.cfx and save it as Cavitation_100000.cfx.

100000 indicates the inlet pressure of the simulation.

3.

Open Pump for editing.

4.

In the Fluid and Particle Definitions section, click Add new item

5.

Apply the following settings:

and name it Water Vapor.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Liquid Water

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Liquid

Water > Material

Water at 25 C [1 (p. 440)]

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Defining the Simulation in CFX-Pre

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Water Vapor

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Water

Vapor > Material

Water Vapour at 25 C

Fluid Models

Multiphase > Homogeneous Model

(Selected) [2 (p. 440)]

Fluid Pair Models

Fluid Pair > Liquid Water | Water Vapor

> Mass Transfer > Option

Cavitation

Fluid Pair > Liquid Water | Water Vapor

> Mass Transfer > Cavitation > Option

Rayleigh Plesset

Fluid Pair > Liquid Water | Water Vapor

> Mass Transfer > Cavitation > Mean
Diameter

2e-6 [m]

Fluid Pair > Liquid Water | Water Vapor (Selected)

> Mass Transfer > Cavitation > Saturation
Pressure
Fluid Pair > Liquid Water | Water Vapor 3574 [Pa] [3 (p. 440)]
> Mass Transfer > Cavitation > Saturation
Pressure > Saturation Pressure

Footnotes
1.

Click the Ellipsis icon

to open the Material dialog box, then click the Import Library
Data icon to open the Select Library Data to Import dialog box. In that dialog box, expand
Water Data in the tree, then multi-select Water at 25 C and Water Vapour at
25 C and click OK.

2.

The homogeneous model will be selected because the interphase transfer rate is very large in
the pump. This results in all fluids sharing a common flow field and turbulence.

3.

The pressure for a corresponding saturation temperature at which the water in the pump will
boil into its vapor phase is 3574 Pa.

6.

Click OK.

7.

Open Inlet for editing and apply the following changes:

Note that you are setting the inlet up to be 100% liquid water, hence a volume fraction of 1. Consequently, the
volume fraction of the vapor is set to 0.
Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Values

Boundary Conditions

Water Vapor

Boundary Conditions > Water Vapor >

Volume Fraction > Volume Fraction

Boundary Conditions

Liquid Water

Boundary Conditions > Liquid Water >

Volume Fraction > Volume Fraction

8.

Click OK.

9.

Open Outlet for editing.

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Defining the Simulation in CFX-Pre

10. On the Boundary Details tab, set Mass and Momentum > Option to Bulk Mass Flow Rate and Mass
Flow Rate to 16 [kg s^-1].
11. Click OK.

Creating Expressions
Expressions defining the Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) and Head are created in order to monitor their values
as the inlet pressure is decreased. By monitoring these values a drop curve can be produced.

Create the following expressions.

Name

Definition

Ptin

massFlowAve(Total Pressure in Stn

Frame)@Inlet

Ptout

massFlowAve(Total Pressure in Stn

Frame)@Outlet

Wden

996.82 [kg m^-3]

Head

(Ptout-Ptin)/(Wden*g)

NPSH

(Ptin- Pvap)/(Wden*g)

Pvap

3574 [Pa]

Adding Monitor Points

Two monitor points will be added to track the NPSH and head using the expressions created in the previous step.
1.

Click Output Control

2.

On the Monitor tab, select Monitor Options and click Add new item

3.

Enter NPSH Point as the name of the monitor point then enter the following settings:

.
.

Tab

Setting

Value

Monitor

Monitor Options > Monitor Points and

Expressions > NPSH Point > Option

Expression

Monitor Options > Monitor Points and

NPSH
Expressions > NPSH Point > Expression
Value
4.

Create a second monitor point named Head Point with the same parameters as the first, with the exception
that Expression Value is set to Head.

5.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

File name

Cavitation_100000.def

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Obtaining a Solution using CFX-Solver Manager

3.

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

Save the simulation.

Obtaining a Solution using CFX-Solver Manager

CFX-Solver Manager should be running. Obtain a solution to the CFD problem by following these instructions:
1.

Ensure Define Run is displayed.

2.

Select Initial Values Specification.

3.

Select CavitationIni_001.res for the initial values file using the Browse

4.

Click Start Run.

tool.

You may see a notice about an artificial wall at the inlet. This notice indicates that the flow is trying to exit at
the inlet. This can be ignored because the amount of reverse flow is very low.
CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This will not require many iterations or much time, depending
on your system, because only minor changes have been made from the initial simulation. A dialog box is
displayed stating that the simulation has completed.
5.

At the end of the run, on the completion message that appears, select Post-Process Results.

6.

If using Standalone mode, select Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

7.

Click OK.

Post-Processing the Solution for High-Pressure Simulation of

Pump with Cavitation Model
You will create an isosurface to observe the volume fraction of water vapor at 25 C. Note that the pressure below
the threshold is the same as found earlier in High Pressure Simulation of Pump without Cavitation Model (p. 433).
Create an isosurface for the volume fraction of water vapor at 25 C, at 0.1:
1.

CFD-Post should be running; start it if necessary.

2.

Click Insert > Location > Isosurface and accept the default name.

3.

Apply the following settings in the Details view:

4.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Variable

Water Vapor.Volume Fraction

Definition > Value

0.1

Click Apply.
Notice that the isosurface is clear. There is no water vapor at 25 C in the blade passage for the simulation
with cavitation because at an inlet total pressure of 100000Pa, the minimum static pressure in the model is
above the vapor pressure.

5.

Quit CFD-Post saving the state at your discretion.

Pump Simulation with Cavitation Model Over Range

of Inlet Pressures
In order to construct a drop curve for this cavitation case, the inlet pressure must be decremented from its initial
value of 100000 Pa to 17500 Pa, and the Head and NPSH values must be recorded for each simulation. The results
are provided in Table 28.1, Pump Performance Data (p. 443).
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Writing CFX-Solver Input (.def) Files for Lower Inlet Pressures

Table 28.1. Pump Performance Data

Inlet Pressure

NPSH

Head

Pa

100000

9.859e+00

3.537e+01

80000

7.813e+00

3.535e+01

60000

5.767e+00

3.535e+01

40000

3.721e+00

3.536e+01

30000

2.698e+00

3.538e+01

20000

1.675e+00

3.534e+01

18000

1.470e+00

3.528e+01

17500

1.419e+00

3.184e+01

Optionally, if you want to generate the data shown in Table 28.1, Pump Performance Data (p. 443), then follow
the instructions in the following two sections (Writing CFX-Solver Input (.def) Files for Lower Inlet Pressures (p. 443)
and Obtaining Solutions using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 443)). Those instructions involve running several simulations
in order to obtain a set of results files. As a benefit to doing this, you will have the results files required to complete
an optional postprocessing exercise at the end of this tutorial. This optional postprocessing exercise involves using
isosurfaces to visualize the regions of cavitation, and visually comparing these isosurfaces between different results
files.
If you want to use the provided table data to produce a drop curve, proceed to Generating a Drop Curve (p. 444).

Writing CFX-Solver Input (.def) Files for Lower Inlet Pressures

Produce a set of definition (.def) files for the simulation, with each definition file specifying a progressively lower
value for the inlet pressure:
1.

CFX-Pre should be running; start it if necessary.

2.

Open Cavitation_100000.cfx.

3.

Open Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 > Pump > Inlet.

4.

On the Boundary Details tab change Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure to 80000 [Pa].

5.

Click OK.

6.

Right-click Simulation and select Write Solver Input File.

7.

Set File name to Cavitation_80000.def.

8.

Click Save.

9.

Change the inlet pressure and save a corresponding CFX-Solver input file for each of the 6 other pressures:
60000 Pa, 40000 Pa, 30000 Pa, 20000 Pa, 18000 Pa, and 17500 Pa.

Note
There are other techniques for defining a set of related simulations. For example, you could use
configuration control, as demonstrated in Flow from a Circular Vent (p. 79).

Obtaining Solutions using CFX-Solver Manager

Run each of the CFX-Solver input files that you created in the previous step:
1.

Start CFX-Solver Manager if it is not already running.

2.

Ensure Define Run is displayed.

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Viewing the Solution for the Pump Simulation with Cavitation Model
3.

Under Solver Input File, click Browse

and select Cavitation_80000.def.

4.

Select Initial Values Specification.

5.

Select Cavitation_100000_001.res for the initial values file using the Browse

6.

Click Start Run.

tool.

You may see a notice about an artificial wall at the inlet. This notice indicates that the flow is trying to exit at
the inlet. This can be ignored because the amount of reverse flow is very low.
CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed stating that the simulation has completed.
7.

When the completion message appears at the end of the run, click OK without selecting the option to post-process
the results.

8.

Repeat this process until you have run all the CFX-Solver input files for all 6 other inlet pressures: 60000 Pa,
40000 Pa, 30000 Pa, 20000 Pa, 18000 Pa, and 17500 Pa. The pump simulation with cavitation model at an
inlet pressure of 17500 Pa will converge poorly because the performance of the pump is decreasing considerably
around that pressure. Note that the initial values should be taken from the previously generated results (.res)
file.

Viewing the Solution for the Pump Simulation with Cavitation

Model
To see the pump performance, you will generate a drop curve to show the pump performance over a range of inlet
pressures. After generating the drop curve, there is an optional exercise for visualizing the cavitation regions using
isosurfaces.
The optional exercise of visualizing the cavitation regions requires the results files from the 60000 Pa, 40000 Pa,
20000 Pa, and 17500 Pa simulations. If you have not generated those results files and want to complete the optional
exercise, then generate the results files by following the instructions in:

Writing CFX-Solver Input (.def) Files for Lower Inlet Pressures (p. 443)

Obtaining Solutions using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 443)

Generating a Drop Curve

To generate a drop curve, you will need the values for Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) and head as the inlet
pressure decreases. This data is provided in Table 28.1, Pump Performance Data (p. 443). If you want to use that
data, proceed to Creating a Table of the Head and NPSH Values (p. 444). If you have chosen to run all of the
simulations and have obtained all of the results files, you can obtain the drop curve data yourself by following the
instructions in the Creating a Head-versus-NPSH Chart (Optional Exercise) (p. 446) section.

Creating a Table of the Head and NPSH Values

1.

Start CFD-Post.

2.

Click Insert > Table and set the name to Drop Curve Values.

3.

Enter the values from Table 28.1, Pump Performance Data (p. 443) for the 8 inlet pressures in the table.
Enter the NPSH values in the left column and the head values in the right column.

4.

Click Save Table

, and apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

File name

Drop Curve Values

Files of type

Comma Separated Values Excel

Readable (*.csv)

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Viewing the Solution for the Pump Simulation with Cavitation Model
5.

Click Save.

Creating a Head-versus-NPSH Chart

1.

Click Insert > Chart.

2.

Set the name to Drop Curve and click OK.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

General

Title

Drop Curve

Data Series

Data Source > File

(Selected)

Data Source > File > Browse

Drop Curve Values.csv [1 (p. 445)]

Axis Range > Determine ranges

automatically

(Cleared)

Axis Range > Min

Axis Range > Max

10

Axis Labels > Use data for axis labels

(Cleared)

Axis Labels > Custom Label

NPSH [m]

Axis Range > Determine ranges

automatically

(Cleared)

Axis Range > Min

Axis Range > Max

45

Axis Labels > Use data for axis labels

(Cleared)

Axis Labels > Custom Label

Head [m]

Line Display > Symbols

Triangle

X Axis

Y Axis

Line Display

Footnote
1.
4.

Created in the previous steps.

Click Apply and proceed to Viewing the Drop Curve (p. 445).

Viewing the Drop Curve

Here is what the drop curve created in the earlier steps should look like:

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Viewing the Solution for the Pump Simulation with Cavitation Model

You can see here that there is not significant degradation in the performance curve as the inlet total pressure is
dropped. This is due to the fact that, for a part of the test, the inlet total pressure is sufficiently high to prevent
cavitation, which implies that the normalized pressure rise across the pump is constant. Also, although you may
start at a high inlet pressure where there is no cavitation, as you drop the inlet pressure, cavitation will appear but
will have no significant impact on performance (incipient cavitation) until the blade passage has sufficient blockage
due to vapor. At that point, performance degrades (rapidly in this case).
When the inlet total pressure reaches a sufficiently low value, cavitation occurs. The performance curve then starts
to drop at a pressure of 18000 Pa as you can see on the chart. What is called the point of cavitation is often marked
by the NPSH at which the pressure rise has fallen by a few percent, which is around 17500 Pa in this case.
If you want to complete an optional exercise on visualizing the cavitation regions, proceed to Visualizing the
Cavitation Regions (Optional Exercise) (p. 448). Otherwise, quit CFD-Post, saving the state at your discretion.

Creating a Head-versus-NPSH Chart (Optional Exercise)

1.

Start CFD-Post.

2.

To load the results file, select File > Load Results or click Load Results

3.

On the right side of the Load Results File dialog box, note down the current setting under CFX run history
and multi-configuration options. Set this option to Load complete history as: > A single case, unless already
set.

Important
This setting, under CFX run history and multi-configuration options, persists when you close
CFD-Post. Ensure that you set this back to the original setting noted above, as instructed to do so
at the end of the tutorial. Not doing so could lead to undesirable results when post-processing other
cases.
4.

In the Load Results File dialog box, select Cavitation_17500_001.res.

5.

Click Open.
When you started the CFX-Solver run using initial values, by default theContinue History From option was
on. This enables the results file to retain a reference to the initial value results file. When the final results file
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Viewing the Solution for the Pump Simulation with Cavitation Model
is loaded into CFD-Post using the Load complete history as: A single case, it includes results from all the
initial values files as well as the final results. Each of the previous initial values files is available as a timestep
(in this case a sequence) through the Timestep Selector.
6.

Click OK when prompted with a Process Multiple Results as a Sequence message.

7.

Click Insert > Chart or click Chart

8.

Set the name to Drop Curve and click OK.

9.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

General

Type

XY - Transient or Sequence

Title

Drop Curve

Data Source > Expression

(Selected)

Data Source > Expression

Head

X Axis

Data Selection > Expression

NPSH

Y Axis

Axis Range > Determine ranges

automatically

(Cleared)

Axis Range > Min

Axis Range > Max

45

Line Display > Symbols

Triangle

Data Series

Line Display

10. Click Apply and proceed to Viewing the Drop Curve (p. 447).

Viewing the Drop Curve

Here is what the drop curve created in the earlier steps should look like:

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Viewing the Solution for the Pump Simulation with Cavitation Model

You can see here that there is not significant degradation in the performance curve as the inlet total pressure is
dropped. This is due to the fact that, for a part of the test, the inlet total pressure is sufficiently high to prevent
cavitation, which implies that the normalized pressure rise across the pump is constant. Also, although you may
start at a high inlet pressure where there is no cavitation, as you drop the inlet pressure, cavitation will appear but
will have no significant impact on performance (incipient cavitation) until the blade passage has sufficient blockage
due to vapor. At that point, performance degrades (rapidly in this case).
When the inlet total pressure reaches a sufficiently low value, cavitation occurs. The performance curve then starts
to drop at a pressure of 18000 Pa as you can see on the chart. What is called the point of cavitation is often marked
by the NPSH at which the pressure rise has fallen by a few percent, which is around 17500 Pa in this case.

Important
If you want to complete an optional exercise on visualizing the cavitation regions, proceed to Visualizing
the Cavitation Regions (Optional Exercise) (p. 448). Otherwise, proceed to Restoring CFX run history
and multi-configuration options (p. 449).

Visualizing the Cavitation Regions (Optional Exercise)

This is an optional part of the tutorial that requires the results files from the 60000 Pa, 40000 Pa, 20000 Pa, and
17500 Pa simulations. If you have not generated those results files and want to complete this optional exercise, then
generate the results files by following the instructions in:

Writing CFX-Solver Input (.def) Files for Lower Inlet Pressures (p. 443)

Obtaining Solutions using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 443)

Cavitation does not occur for the 100000 Pa and 80000 Pa simulations. Create an isosurface for 10% water vapor
(by volume fraction), for the 60000 Pa, 40000 Pa, 20000 Pa, and 17500 Pa simulations:
1.

Use Cavitation_60000_001.res to create an isosurface:

1.

Launch CFD-Post and load Cavitation_60000_001.res.

2.

Select Insert > Location > Isosurface and accept the default name.

3.

Apply the following settings in the details view:

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Viewing the Solution for the Pump Simulation with Cavitation Model

4.
2.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Variable

Water Vapor.Volume Fraction

Definition > Value

0.1

Click Apply.

Add Cavitation_40000_001.res to the current results:

1.

Select File > Load Results.

2.

Under Case options, select both Keep current cases loaded and Open in new view.

3.

Select Cavitation_40000_001.res.

4.

Click Open.

5.

Click a blank area inside the viewport named View 2 (which contains the results that you just loaded) to
make that viewport active, then turn on visibility for the isosurface in the Outline tree view.

3.

In a similar way, load Cavitation_20000_001.res and Cavitation_17500_001.res and make

the isosurface visible on these results.

4.

Click Synchronize camera in displayed views

5.

Rotate the view (from any viewport) to inspect the results.

so that all viewports maintain the same camera position.

Observe that the amount of water vapor increases as the inlet pressure decreases.

Important
If you created the drop curve by setting the CFX run history and multi-configuration options, proceed
to Restoring CFX run history and multi-configuration options (p. 449). Otherwise, quit CFD-Post, saving
the state at your discretion.

Restoring CFX run history and multi-configuration options

As mentioned above the setting under CFX run history and multi-configuration options persists when you close
CFD-Post. This section outlines the steps to restore CFX run history and multi-configuration options to its
original setting.
1.

Select File > Close to close the current file.

2.

Click Close if prompted to save.

3.

Load a results file by selecting File > Load Results or click Load Results

4.

On the right side of the Load Results File dialog box, restore the original settings under CFX run history
and multi-configuration options.

5.

In the Load Results File dialog box, select Cavitation_17500_001.res.

6.

Click Open.

7.

Quit CFD-Post, by selecting File > Quit.

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Chapter 29. Spray Dryer

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 451)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 451)

Before You Begin (p. 453)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 453)

Defining a Steady-State Simulation in CFX-Pre (p. 453)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 459)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 459)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Importing a CCL file in CFX-Pre.

Editing and creating boundary conditions in CFX-Pre.

Adding particles that evaporate.

Creating a domain interface in CFX-Pre.

Creating contour plots and inserting particle tracking in CFD-Post.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Boundary Conditions

Water Nozzle
Air Inlet
Outlet
Domain 1 Default

CFD-Post

Domain Interface

Fluid Fluid

Timescale

Physical Timescale

Particle Coupling Control

Selected

Extra Output Variables List

Selected

Plots

Contour Plots
Particle Tracking

Overview of the Problem to Solve

In this example, a spray dryer is modeled in which water drops are evaporated by a hot air flow. The goal of this
tutorial is to observe the variation of gas temperature and mass fraction of water vapor, and of averaged values of
mean droplet diameter and droplet temperature in the spray dryer, as well as the temperature and size of individual
water drops as they travel through the spray dryer.
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Overview of the Problem to Solve

The following figure shows approximately half of the full geometry. The spray dryer has two inlets named Water
Nozzle and Air Inlet, and one outlet named Outlet. The Water Nozzle is where the liquid water enters
in a primary air flow at a mass flow rate of 1.33e-4 kg/s. The Air Inlet is for the swirling, drying air flow. The
Water Nozzle inlet is located in the middle of the circular Air Inlet. When the spray dryer is operating, the
inlets are located at the top of the vessel and the outlet at the bottom.

Periodic boundaries are used to allow only a small section of the full geometry to be modeled. The geometry to be
modeled consists of a 9 degree section of the axisymmetric dryer shape. The relevant parameters of this problem
are:

Static temperature at Water Nozzle = 300 K

Size distribution for the drops being created by the Water Nozzle is prescribed using discrete diameter
values and associated fractions of the droplet mass flow rate.

Air Inlet mass and momentum axial component = 30 m/s (downwards along the axis of the spray dryer),Air
Inlet mass and momentum radial component = 0 m/s, Air Inlet mass and momentum theta component
= 10 m/s

Static temperature at Air Inlet = 423 K

Relative pressure at Outlet = 0 Pa

Normal speed of Water = 10 m/s

The approach for solving this problem is to first import a CCL file with the fluid properties, domain and boundary
conditions in CFX-Pre. Minor changes will be made to the information imported from the CCL file. Boundary
conditions and a domain interface will also be added. In CFD-Post, contour plots will be created to see the variation
of temperature, mass fraction of water, average mean particle diameter of liquid water, and averaged temperature
of liquid water in the spray dryer. Finally, particle tracking will be used for plotting the temperature of liquid water.

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Before You Begin

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

SprayDryer.pre

spraydryer9.gtm

2.

In addition to the files from the examples directory, the evaporating_drops.ccl file from the
etc/model-templates directory, should also be copied over to the working directory.

3.

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Steady-State Simulation in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run SprayDryer.pre. For details,
see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 459).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
This section describes the step-by-step definition of the flow physics in CFX-Pre for a steady-state simulation.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain is
turned off.

4.

Select File > Save Case As.

5.

Under File name, type SprayDryer.

6.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Select File > Import > Mesh.

2.

Apply the following settings

3.

Setting

Value

Files of type

CFX Mesh (*gtm *cfx)

File name

spraydryer9.gtm

Click Open.

Importing the Evaporating CCL Drops Model Template

ANSYS CFX Command Language (CCL) consists of commands used to carry out actions in CFX-Pre, CFX-Solver
Manager and CFD-Post. The physics for this simulation such as materials, domain and domain properties will be

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Editing the Domain

imported as a CCL. We will first analyze the evaporating_drops.ccl model template and then import it
into the simulation.

Note
The physics for a simulation can be saved to a CCL (CFX Command Language) file at any time by
selecting File > Export > CCL.
1.

Open evaporating_drops.ccl with a text editor and take the time to look at the information it contains.
The template sets up the materials water vapor H2O with a thermal conductivity of 193e-04 W/mK and water
liquid H2Ol, which enters from the Water Nozzle. Note that the water data could also have been imported from
the library in CFX-Pre. The template also creates a continuous gas phase named Gas mixture containing
H2O and Air Ideal Gas and a binary mixture of H2O and H2Ol, which determines the rate of evaporation
of the water. A domain named Domain 1 that includes the Gas mixture and H2Ol as a fluid pair as well
as an inlet boundary is also specified in the CCL file. The inlet boundary is set up with a default static temperature
of 573 K.

2.

Select File > Import > CCL

The Import CCL dialog box appears.

3.

Under Import Method, select Append. This will start with the existing CCL already generated and append
the imported CCL.

Note
Replace is useful if you have defined physics and want to update or replace them with
newly-imported physics.
4.

Select evaporating_drops.ccl.

5.

Click Open.

Note
An error message related to the parameter Location will appear in the message window. This error
occurs as the CCL contains a location placeholder that is not part of the mesh. Ignore this error message
as the issue will be addressed when Domain 1 is being edited.

Editing the Domain

The fluid domain imported in the CCL file will be edited in this section.
1.

In the tree view, right-click Domain 1, then click Edit.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

B34

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Option Buoyant

Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity 0.0 [m s^-1]
X Dirn.
Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity -9.81 [m s^-1]
Y Dirn.
Domain Models > Buoyancy > Gravity 0.0 [m s^-1]
Z Dirn.
Domain Models > Buoyancy > Buoy.
Ref. Density

1.2 [kg m^-3] [1 (p. 455)]

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Creating and Editing the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Specific Models

Fluid

Gas mixture

Fluid > Gas mixture > Fluid Buoyancy Non Buoyant [2 (p. 455)]
Model > Option
Fluid

H2Ol

Fluid > H2Ol > Fluid Buoyancy Model Density Difference

> Option

Footnotes

3.

1.

The buoyancy reference density is set to 1.2 as representative of air.

2.

Because any natural convection in the gas can be neglected, we can set the fluid to non buoyant.

Click OK.

Creating and Editing the Boundary Conditions

In this section, the Inlet and Domain 1 Default boundary conditions that were imported in the CCL file
will be edited. Two boundary conditions, Air Inlet and Outlet will also be created for the spray dryer
simulation.

Water Nozzle Boundary

The inlet boundary where the water enters in a primary air flow will be renamed and edited with the particle mass
flow rate set consistent with the problem description. The particle diameter distribution will be set to Discrete
Diameter Distribution, which will allow us to have particles of more than one specified diameter. Diameter
values will be listed as specified in the problem description. A mass fraction as well as a number fraction will be
specified for each of the diameter entries. The total of mass fractions and the total of number fractions will sum to
unity.
1.

In the tree view, under Domain 1, right-click inlet, then click Rename. Set the new name to Water
Nozzle.

2.

In the tree view, right-click Water Nozzle, then click Edit.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

two fluid nozzle

Mass and Momentum > Option

Normal Speed

Mass and Momentum > Normal Speed

10.0 [m s^-1]

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

300.0 K

H2Ol > Mass and Momentum > Option

Normal Speed

H2Ol > Mass and Momentum > Normal

Speed

10.0 [m s^-1]

H2Ol > Particle Position > Number of

Positions > Number

500 [1 (p. 456)]

Boundary Details

Fluid Values

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Creating and Editing the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Setting

Value

H2Ol > Particle Mass Flow > Mass Flow

Rate

3.32e-6 [kg s^-1] [2 (p. 456)]

H2Ol > Particle Diameter Distribution >

Option

Discrete Diameter Distribution

H2Ol > Particle Diameter Distribution >

Diameter List

5.9e-6, 1.25e-5, 1.39e-5,

1.54e-5, 1.7e-5, 1.88e-5,
2.09e-5, 2.27e-5, 2.48e-5,
3.11e-5 [m]

H2Ol > Particle Diameter Distribution >

Mass Fraction List

10*0.1

H2Ol > Particle Diameter Distribution >

Number Fraction List

10*0.1

H2Ol > Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

H2Ol > Heat Transfer > Static Temperature 300.0 K

Footnotes

4.

1.

The number of representative drops was chosen to be 500 through experience of particle
transport calculations.

2.

Note that this mass flow is only 1/40th of the total mass flow rate of water because only a 9
degree sector is modeled.

Click OK.

Air Inlet Boundary

A second inlet in which the swirling, drying air flow will enter will be created with temperature component, mass
and momentum axial, radial and theta components set consistent with the problem description.
1.

Select Insert > Boundary from the main menu or click Boundary

2.

Under Name, type Air Inlet.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

air inlet

Mass and Momentum > Option

Cyl. Vel. Components

Mass and Momentum > Axial Component

-30.0 [m s^-1]

Boundary Details

Mass and Momentum > Radial Component 0.0 [m s^-1]

Mass and Momentum > Theta Component

10.0 [m s^-1]

Axis Definition > Option

Coordinate Axis

Axis Definition > Rotation Axis

Global Y

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature
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Creating a Domain Interface

Tab

5.

Setting

Value

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

423.0 K

Click OK.

Outlet Boundary
The outlet boundary will be created as an opening with pressure as specified in the problem description.
1.

Select Insert > Boundary from the main menu or click Boundary

2.

Under Name, type Outlet.

3.

Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet

Location

outlet

Mass and Momentum > Option

Average Static Pressure

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure

0.0 [Pa]

Boundary Details

5.

Click OK.

Domain 1 Default
The Domain 1 Default boundary will be edited to use a heat transfer coefficient of 3.0 [W m^-2 K^-1] and
an outside temperature of 300 K.
1.

In the tree view, right-click Domain 1 Default, then click Edit.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Heat Transfer > Option

Heat Transfer Coefficient

Heat Transfer > Heat Trans. Coeff.

3.0 [W m^-2 K^-1]

Heat Transfer > Outside Temperature

300.0 [K]

Click OK.

Creating a Domain Interface

A domain interface will be created to connect the Domain 1, periodic1 and periodic 2 regions. The two
sides of the periodic interface, periodic1 and periodic 2, will be mapped by a single rotational transformation
about an axis.
1.

Select Insert > Domain Interface. Accept the default name.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Fluid

Interface Side 1 > Domain (filter)

Domain 1

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Setting Solver Control

Tab

Setting

Value

Interface Side 1 > Region List

periodic1

Interface Side 2 > Domain (filter)

Domain 1

Interface Side 2 > Region List

periodic 2

Interface Models > Option

Rotational Periodicity

Interface Models > Axis Definition > Rotation Global Y

Axis
Mesh Connection Method > Mesh Connection Automatic
> Option
3.

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

100

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Physical Timescale

0.05 [s] [1 (p. 458)]

Convergence Criteria > Residual Type

RMS

Convergence Criteria > Residual Target

1.E-4

Footnote
1.
3.

Based on the air inlet speed and the size of the dryer.

Click OK.

Setting Output Control

In this section, two additional variables, H2O1.Averaged Mean Particle Diameter and H2O1.Averaged Temperature
will be specified. These variables will be used when viewing the results in CFD-Post to understand the flow behavior.
1.

Click Output Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Results

Extra Output Variables List

Selected

Extra Output Variables List > Extra Output H2Ol.Averaged Mean Particle
Var. List
Diameter, H2Ol.Averaged
Temperature [1 (p. 459)]

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Footnote
1.

3.

Click the Ellipsis icon

to open the Extra Output Variable List dialog box, then select
H2Ol.Averaged Mean Particle Diameter and H2Ol.Averaged
Temperature, holding the Ctrl key. Click OK.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

SprayDryer.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

Quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

When CFX-Pre has shut down and the CFX-Solver Manager has started, obtain a solution to the CFD problem by
following the instructions below.
1.

Ensure Define Run is displayed.

CFX-Solver Input File should be set to SprayDryer.def.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.

3.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

4.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

In this section, contour plots located on one of the periodic regions of the spray dryer will be created to illustrate
the variation of temperature, water mass fraction, liquid water average mean particle diameter and liquid water
averaged temperature. Finally, particle tracking will be used for plotting the temperature of liquid water. Particle
tracking will trace the mean flow behavior in and around the complex geometry of the spray dryer.

Displaying the Temperature Using a Contour Plot

A contour plot located at the Domain Interface 1 Side 1, on the Periodic 1 region, will first be
created, and used to show the temperature variation through the spray dryer.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards Z.
This ensures that the view is set to a position that is best suited to display the results.

2.

From the main menu, select Insert > Contour.

3.

Set the name to Temperature Contour. Click OK.

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Displaying the Water Mass Fraction Using a Contour Plot

4.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Location

Domain Interface 1
Side 1

Variable

Temperature

5.

Click Apply.

6.

When you have finished, right-click the contour you just created in the tree view and select Hide.

Displaying the Water Mass Fraction Using a Contour Plot

A contour plot located at the Periodic 1 region will be created and used to show the H2O.Mass Fraction
variation through the spray dryer.

Repeat steps 1-6 in the Displaying the Temperature Using a Contour Plot (p. 459) section. In step 3, change the
contour name to H2O Mass Fraction Contour. In step 4, change the variable to H2O.Mass Fraction.

Displaying the Liquid Water Averaged Mean Particle Diameter

Using a Contour Plot
A contour plot located at the Periodic 1 region will be created and used to show the H2Ol.Averaged Mean
Particle Diameter variation through the spray dryer.

Repeat steps 1-6 in the Displaying the Temperature Using a Contour Plot (p. 459) section. In step 3, change the
contour name to H2Ol Averaged Mean Particle Diameter Contour. In step 4, change the variable
to H2Ol.Averaged Mean Particle Diameter.

Displaying the Liquid Water Averaged Temperature Using a

Contour Plot
A contour plot located at the Periodic 1 region will be created and used to show the H2Ol.Averaged
Temperature variation through the spray dryer.

Repeat steps 1-6 in the Displaying the Temperature Using a Contour Plot (p. 459) section. In step 3, change the
contour name to H2Ol Averaged Temperature Contour. In step 4, change the variable to
H2Ol.Averaged Temperature.

Displaying the Liquid Water Temperature Using Particle

Tracking
This section outlines the steps for using particle tracking to trace the variation of the water temperature.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).
This ensures that the view is set to a position that is best suited to display the results.

2.

From the main menu, select Insert > Particle Track.

3.

Set the name to H2Ol Temperature. Click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

H20l.Temperature

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Displaying the Diameter of a Water Drop Using Particle Tracking

5.

Click Apply.
From the contours and particle tracks, notice that the water droplets entering the spray dryer through the Water
Nozzle recirculates in the region between the two inlets before merging in with the stream of hot air entering
the spray dryer through the Air Inlet. Based on this flow of the water drop, the temperature of the hot gas
coming from the Air Inlet decreases as the process takes place. During the spray drying cycle, the air
transfers its thermal energy to the liquid water drops, leading to evaporation. As the air carries the thermal
energy by convection, liquid water droplets that are close to the Air Inlet see their temperature increase,
which leads to evaporation, resulting in a decrease in droplet diameter and an increase in the amount of water
vapor.

Displaying the Diameter of a Water Drop Using Particle Tracking

This section outlines the steps for using particle tracking to trace the variation of water droplet diameter.
1.

Repeat steps 2-5 in the Displaying the Liquid Water Temperature Using Particle Tracking (p. 460) section. In
step 3, change the name to H2Ol Mean Particle Diameter. In step 4, change the variable name to
H20l.Mean Particle Diameter
From the water drop diameter particle track, we can see that as the air from the Air Inlet transfers its
thermal energy to the liquid water, the diameter of water drops decreases as they evaporate. So when the water
drop move away from the Water Nozzle, its diameter decreases as a function of the temperature increase.

2.

Quit CFD-Post, saving the state (.cst) file at your discretion.

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Chapter 30. Coal Combustion

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 463)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 463)

Before You Begin (p. 465)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 465)

Coal Combustion Simulation (p. 465)

Coal Combustion Simulation with Swirl (p. 477)

Coal Combustion Simulation with Swirl and Nitrogen Oxide (p. 480)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Importing a CCL file in CFX-Pre.

Setting up and using Proximate/Ultimate analysis for hydrocarbon fuels in CFX-Pre.

Viewing the results for nitrogen oxide in CFD-Post.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

Reacting Mixture, Hydrocarbon

Fuel

CCL File

Import

Domain Type

Single Domain

Boundaries

Coal Inlet
Air Inlet
Outlet
No-slip Wall
Periodic
Symmetry

CFD-Post

Plots

Particle Tracking

Overview of the Problem to Solve

In this tutorial, you will model coal combustion and radiation in a furnace. Three different coal combustion simulations
will be set up:

Coal Combustion with no-swirl burners where there is no release of nitrogen oxide during the burning process.

Coal Combustion with swirl burners where there is no release of nitrogen oxide during the burning process.

Coal Combustion with swirl burners where there is release of nitrogen oxide during the burning process.

The following figure shows half of the full geometry. The coal furnace has two inlets named Coal Inlet and
Air Inlet, and one outlet. The Coal Inlet (see the inner yellow annulus shown in the figure inset) has air
entering at a mass flow rate of 1.624e-3 kg/s and pulverized coal particles entering at a mass flow rate of 1.015e-3
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Overview of the Problem to Solve

kg/s. The Air Inlet (see the outer red annulus shown in the figure inset) is where heated air enters the coal
furnace at a mass flow rate of 1.035e-2 kg/s. The outlet is located at the opposite end of the furnace and is at a
pressure of 1 atm.

The provided mesh occupies a 5 degree section of an axisymmetric coal furnace. Each simulation will make use of
either symmetric or periodic boundaries to model the effects of the remainder of the furnace. In the case of
non-swirling flow, a pair of symmetry boundaries is sufficient; in the case of flow with swirl, a periodic boundary
with rotational periodicity is required.
The relevant parameters of this problem are:

Coal Inlet static temperature = 343 K

Size distribution for the drops being created by the Coal Inlet = 12, 38, 62, 88 [micron]

Air Inlet static temperature = 573 K

Outlet average static pressure = 0 Pa

Coal Gun wall fixed temperature = 800 K

Coal Inlet wall fixed temperature = 343 K

Air Inlet wall fixed temperature = 573 K

Furnace wall fixed temperature = 1400 K

O2 mass fraction = 0.232

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Before You Begin

Proximate/ultimate analysis data for the coal. Note that proximate/ultimate analysis data is used to characterize
the properties of the coal including the content of moisture, volatile, free carbon, and ash, as well as the mass
fractions of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (the major components), sulfur and nitrogen.

The approach for solving this problem is to first import, into CFX-Pre, a CCL file with the proximate/ultimate
analysis data for the coal and the required materials and reactions. The first simulation will be without nitrogen
oxide or swirl. Only small changes to the boundary conditions will be made to create the second simulation, which
has swirl in the flow. After each of the first two simulations, you will use CFD-Post to see the variation of temperature,
water mass fraction and radiation intensity. You will examine particle tracks colored by temperature and by ash
mass fraction. The last simulation has swirl and also involves the release of nitrogen oxide. Finally, you will use
CFD-Post to see the distribution of nitrogen oxide in the third simulation.

Before You Begin

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

CoalCombustion.gtm

CoalCombustion_Reactions_Materials.ccl

CoalCombustion_nonox.pre

CoalCombustion_nonox_swirl.pre

CoalCombustion_noxcpp_swirl.pre

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Coal Combustion Simulation

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run CoalCombustion_nonox.pre.
For details, see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution for the Simulation
using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 475).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following steps:
You will first create a simulation where there is no release of nitrogen oxide, a hazardous chemical, during the
process. Swirl burners will not be used in this simulation.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain and
Automatic Default Interfaces are turned off.

4.

Select File > Save Case As.

5.

Set File name to CoalCombustion_nonox.cfx.

6.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Select File > Import > Mesh.

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Importing the Coal Combustion Materials CCL File

2.

Set Files of type to CFX Mesh(*gtm *cfx).

3.

Select CoalCombustion.gtm from your working directory.

4.

Click Open.

5.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up) from the
shortcut menu.

Importing the Coal Combustion Materials CCL File

CFX Command Language (CCL) consists of commands used to carry out actions in CFX-Pre, CFX-Solver Manager,
and CFD-Post. The proximate/ultimate analysis data for the coal as well as the materials and reactions required for
the combustion simulation will be imported from the CCL file. You will review, then import, the contents of the
CoalCombustion_Reactions_Materials.ccl file.

Note
The physics for a simulation can be saved to a CCL (CFX Command Language) file at any time by
selecting File > Export > CCL.
1.

Open CoalCombustion_Reactions_Materials.ccl with a text editor and take the time to look at
the information it contains.
The CCL sets up the following reactions:

Fuel Gas Oxygen

HC Fuel Char Field

HC Fuel Devolat

Prompt NO Fuel Gas PDF

Thermal NO PDF.

The CCL also sets up the following materials:

Ash

Char

Fuel Gas

Gas mixture

HC Fuel

HC Fuel Gas Binary Mixture

Raw Combustible

The reactions Prompt NO Fuel Gas PDF and Thermal NO PDF are used only in the third simulation.
Other pure substances required for the simulation will be loaded from the standard CFX-Pre materials library.
2.

In CFX-Pre, select File > Import > CCL.

The Import CCL dialog box appears.

3.

Under Import Method, select Replace.

This will replace the materials list in the current simulation with the ones in the newly imported CCL.

4.

Under Import Method, select Auto-load materials.

This will load pure materials such as CO2, H2O, N2, O2, and NO the materials referenced by the imported
mixtures and reactions from the CFX-Pre materials library.

5.

Select CoalCombustion_Reactions_Materials.ccl (the file you reviewed earlier).

6.

Click Open.

7.

Expand the Materials and Reactions branches under Simulation to make sure that all the materials
and reactions described above are present.

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Creating the Domain

Creating the Domain

Create a new domain named Furnace as follows:
1.

Right-click Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 in the Outline tree view and click Insert > Domain.

2.

Set Name to Furnace.

3.

Click OK

4.

On the Basic Settings, tab under Fluid and Particle Definitions, delete Fluid 1 and create a new fluid
definition named Gas Mixture.

5.

Click Add new item

6.

Apply the following settings:

and create a new fluid definition named HC Fuel.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Location and Type > Location

B40

Fluid and Particle Definitions

Gas Mixture

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Gas

Mixture > Material

Gas Mixture [1 (p. 468)]

Fluid and Particle Definitions > Gas

Mixture > Morphology > Option

Continuous Fluid

Fluid and Particle Definitions

HC Fuel

Fluid and Particle Definitions > HC Fuel HC Fuel [2 (p. 468)]

> Material
Fluid and Particle Definitions > HC Fuel Particle Transport Solid
> Morphology > Option
Fluid and Particle Definitions > HC Fuel (Selected)
> Morphology > Particle Diameter
Change
Fluid and Particle Definitions > HC Fuel Mass Equivalent[3 (p. 468)]
> Morphology > Particle Diameter
Change > Option
Fluid Models

Fluid Specific Models

Multiphase > Multiphase Reactions

(Selected)

Multiphase > Multiphase Reactions >

Reactions List

HC Fuel Char Field, HC Fuel

Devolat

Heat Transfer > Option

Fluid Dependent

Combustion > Option

Fluid Dependent

Thermal Radiation > Option

Fluid Dependent

Fluid

Gas Mixture

Fluid > Gas Mixture > Heat Transfer > Thermal Energy
Heat Transfer > Option
Fluid > Gas Mixture > Thermal
Radiation > Option

Discrete Transfer

Fluid > Gas Mixture > Thermal

Radiation > Number of Rays

(Selected)

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Creating the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid > Gas Mixture > Thermal

32 [4 (p. 468)]
Radiation > Number of Rays > Number
of Rays
Fluid

HC Fuel

Fluid > HC Fuel > Heat Transfer > Heat Particle Temperature
Transfer > Option
Fluid Pair Models

Fluid Pair

Gas Mixture | HC Fuel

Fluid Pair > Gas Mixture | HC Fuel >

Particle Coupling

Fully Coupled

Fluid Pair > Gas Mixture | HC Fuel >

Momentum Transfer > Drag Force >
Option

Schiller Naumann

Fluid Pair > Gas Mixture | HC Fuel >

Heat Transfer > Option

Ranz Marshall

Fluid Pair > Gas Mixture | HC Fuel >

Thermal Radiation Transfer > Option

Opaque

Fluid Pair > Gas Mixture | HC Fuel > 1 [5 (p. 468)]

Thermal Radiation Transfer > Emissivity
Fluid Pair > Gas Mixture | HC Fuel > (Selected)
Thermal Radiation Transfer > Particle
Coupling
Fluid Pair > Gas Mixture | HC Fuel > Fully Coupled
Thermal Radiation Transfer > Particle
Coupling > Particle Coupling

Footnotes

7.

1.

Click the Ellipsis

icon to open the Material dialog box, then select Gas Mixture
under the Gas Phase Combustion branch. Click OK.

2.

Click the Ellipsis

icon to open the Material dialog box, then select HC Fuel under the
Particle Solids branch. Click OK.

3.

The use of the Mass Equivalent option for the particle diameter is used here for
demonstration only. A physically more sensible setting for coal particles, which often stay the
same size or get bigger during combustion, would be the use of the Swelling Model option
with a Swelling Factor of 0.0 (the default) or larger.

4.

Increasing the number of rays to 32 from the default 8, increases the number of rays leaving
the bounding surfaces and increases the accuracy of the thermal radiation calculation.

5.

With this setting, the particles are modeled as black bodies.

Click OK.

Creating the Boundary Conditions

In this section you will create boundary conditions for the coal inlet, the air inlet, the outlet, and multiple no-slip
walls. You will also create two symmetry-plane boundary conditions for this no-swirl case.

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Creating the Boundary Conditions

Coal Inlet Boundary

You will create the coal inlet boundary with mass flow rate and static temperature set consistently with the problem
description. The particle diameter distribution will be set to Discrete Diameter Distribution to model
particles of more than one specified diameter. Diameter values will be listed as specified in the problem description.
A mass fraction as well as a number fraction will be specified for each of the diameter entries. The total of mass
fractions and the total of number fractions will sum to unity.
1.

Create a boundary named Coal Inlet.

2.

Apply the following settings to Coal Inlet:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

CoalInlet

Mass and Momentum > Option

Mass Flow Rate

Mass and Momentum > Mass Flow Rate

0.001624 [kg s^-1]

Flow Direction > Option

Normal to Boundary Condition

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

343 [K]

Component Details

O2

Component Details > O2 > Option

Mass Fraction

Component Details > O2 > Mass Fraction

0.232

Boundary Details

Fluid Values

Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle (Selected)

Behavior > Define Particle Behavior
Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Mass and Zero Slip Velocity
Momentum > Option
Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle Uniform Injection
Position > Option
Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle (Selected)
Position > Particle Locations
Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle Equally Spaced
Position > Particle Locations > Particle
Locations
Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle Direct Specification
Position > Number of Positions > Option
Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle 200
Position > Number of Positions > Number
Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle 0.001015 [kg s^-1]
Mass Flow > Mass Flow Rate
Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle (Selected)
Diameter Distribution
Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle Discrete Diameter Distribution
Diameter Distribution > Option

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Creating the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle 12, 38, 62, 88 [micron]
Diameter Distribution > Diameter List
Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle 0.18, 0.25, 0.21, 0.36
Diameter Distribution > Mass Fraction List
Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Particle 0.25, 0.25, 0.25, 0.25
Diameter Distribution > Number Fraction
List

3.

Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Heat

Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Boundary Conditions > HC Fuel > Heat

Transfer > Static Temperature

343 [K]

Click OK.

Air Inlet Boundary

Create the air inlet boundary with mass flow rate and static temperature set consistently with the problem description,
as follows:
1.

Create a new boundary named Air Inlet.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet

Location

AirInlet

Mass and Momentum > Option

Mass Flow Rate

Mass and Momentum > Mass Flow Rate

0.01035 [kg s^-1]

Flow Direction > Option

Normal to Boundary Condition

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

573 [K]

Component Details

O2

Component Details > O2 > Option

Mass Fraction

Component Details > O2 > Mass Fraction

0.232

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Outlet Boundary
Create the outlet boundary with pressure specified, as follows:
1.

Create a new boundary named Outlet.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Outlet
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Creating the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Boundary Details

Setting

Value

Location

Outlet

Mass and Momentum > Option

Average Static Pressure

Mass and Momentum > Relative Pressure

0[Pa]

Mass and Momentum > Pres. Profile Blend 0.05

3.

Click OK.

Coal Gun No-Slip Wall Boundary

Create the Coal Gun Wall boundary with a fixed temperature as specified in the problem description, as follows:
1.

Create a new boundary named Coal Gun Wall.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

CoalGunWall

Heat Transfer > Option

Temperature

Heat Transfer > Fixed Temperature

800 [K]

Thermal Radiation > Option

Opaque

Thermal Radiation > Emissivity

0.6 [1 (p. 471)]

Thermal Radiation > Diffuse Fraction

Boundary Details

Footnote
1.

3.

The wall has an emissivity value of 0.6 since about half of the radiation can travel through the
surface and half is reflected and/or absorbed at the surface.

Click OK.

Coal Inlet No-Slip Wall Boundary

Create the Coal Inlet Wall boundary with fixed temperature as specified in the problem description, as
follows:
1.

Create a new boundary named Coal Inlet Wall.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

CoalInletInnerWall,
CoalInletOuterWall [1 (p. 472)]

Heat Transfer > Option

Temperature

Heat Transfer > Fixed Temperature

343 [K]

Thermal Radiation > Option

Opaque

Boundary Details

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Creating the Boundary Conditions

Tab

Setting

Value

Thermal Radiation > Emissivity

0.6

Thermal Radiation > Diffuse Fraction

Footnote
1.

3.

Click the Ellipsis

icon to open the Selection Dialog dialog box, then select
CoalInletInnerWall and CoalInletOuterWall, holding the Ctrl key. Click OK.

Click OK.

Air Inlet No-Slip Wall Boundary

Create the Air Inlet Wall boundary with fixed temperature as specified in the problem description, as follows:
1.

Create a new boundary named Air Inlet Wall.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

AirInletInnerWall,
AirInletOuterWall [1 (p. 472)]

Heat Transfer > Option

Temperature

Heat Transfer > Fixed Temperature

573 [K]

Thermal Radiation > Option

Opaque

Thermal Radiation > Emissivity

0.6

Thermal Radiation > Diffuse Fraction

Boundary Details

Footnote
1.

3.

Click the Ellipsis

icon to open the Selection Dialog dialog box, then select
AirInletInnerWall and AirInletOuterWall, holding the Ctrl key. Click OK.

Click OK.

Furnace No-Slip Wall Boundary

Create the Furnace Wall boundary with a fixed temperature as specified in the problem description, as follows:
1.

Create a new boundary named Furnace Wall.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

FurnaceFrontWall,
FurnaceOuterWall [1 (p. 473)]

Heat Transfer > Option

Temperature

Boundary Details

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Symmetry Plane 1 Boundary

Tab

Setting

Value

Heat Transfer > Fixed Temperature

1400 [K]

Thermal Radiation > Option

Opaque

Thermal Radiation > Emissivity

0.6

Thermal Radiation > Diffuse Fraction

Footnote
1.

3.

Click the Ellipsis

icon to open the Selection Dialog dialog box, then select
FurnaceFrontWall and FurnaceOuterWall, holding the Ctrl key. Click OK.

Click OK.

Quarl No-Slip Wall Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named Quarl Wall.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Wall

Location

QuarlWall

Heat Transfer > Option

Temperature

Heat Transfer > Fixed Temperature

1200 [K]

Thermal Radiation > Option

Opaque

Thermal Radiation > Emissivity

0.6

Thermal Radiation > Diffuse Fraction

Boundary Details

3.

Click OK.

Symmetry Plane Boundaries

You will use symmetry plane boundaries on the front and back regions of the cavity.

Symmetry Plane 1 Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named Symmetry Plane 1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

PeriodicSide1

Click OK.

Symmetry Plane 2 Boundary

1.

Create a new boundary named Symmetry Plane 2.

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Setting Solver Control

2.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

PeriodicSide2

Click OK.

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Convergence Control > Max. Iterations

600

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Physical Timescale

0.005 [s] [1 (p. 475)]

Particle Coupling Control > First Iteration

for Particle Calculation

(Selected)

Particle Coupling Control > First Iteration

for Particle Calculation > First Iteration

25 [2 (p. 475)]

Particle Coupling Control > Iteration

Frequency

(Selected)

Particle Coupling Control > Iteration

Frequency > Iteration Frequency

10 [3 (p. 475)]

Particle Under Relaxation Factors

(Selected)

Particle Under Relaxation Factors > Vel.

Under Relaxation

0.75

Particle Control

Particle Under Relaxation Factors > Energy 0.75

Advanced Options

Particle Under Relaxation Factors > Mass

0.75

Particle Ignition

(Selected)

Particle Ignition > Ignition Temperature

1000 [K]

Particle Source Smoothing

(Selected)

Particle Source Smoothing > Option

Smooth

Thermal Radiation Control

(Selected)

Thermal Radiation Control > Coarsening

Control

(Selected)

Thermal Radiation Control > Coarsening

Control > Target Coarsening Rate

(Selected)

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Tab

Setting

Value

Thermal Radiation Control > Coarsening

Control > Target Coarsening Rate > Rate

16 [4 (p. 475)]

Footnotes

3.

1.

Based on the air inlet speed and the size of the combustor.

2.

The First Iteration parameter sets the coefficient-loop iteration number at which particles are
first tracked; it allows the continuous-phase flow to develop before tracking droplets through
the flow. Experience has shown that the value usually has to be increased to 25 from the default
of 10.

3.

The Iteration Frequency parameter is the frequency at which particles are injected into the
flow after the First Iteration for Particle Calculation iteration number. The iteration frequency
allows the continuous phase to settle down between injections because it is affected by sources
of momentum, heat, and mass from the droplet phase. Experience has shown that the value
usually has to be increased to 10 from the default of 5.

4.

The Target Coarsening Rate parameter controls the size of the radiation element required for
calculating Thermal Radiation. Decreasing the size of the element to 16, from the default 64,
increases the accuracy of the solution obtained, while increasing the computing time required
for the calculations.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

CoalCombustion_nonox.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

Quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file.

Obtaining a Solution for the Simulation using CFX-Solver

Manager
When CFX-Pre has shut down and the CFX-Solver Manager has started, obtain a solution to the CFD problem by
following the instructions below:
1.

Ensure that the Define Run dialog box is displayed.

Solver Input File should be set to CoalCombustion_nonox.def.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.

3.

At the end of the run, on the completion message that appears, select Post-Process Results.

4.

If using Standalone mode, select Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

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Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

In this section, you will make plots showing the variation of temperature, water mass fraction, and radiation intensity
on the Symmetry Plane 1 boundary. You will also color the particle tracks, which were produced by the solver
and included in the results file, by temperature and by ash mass fraction. The particle tracks help to illustrate the
mean flow behavior in the coal furnace.

Displaying the Temperature on a Symmetry Plane

1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).
This orients the geometry with the inlets at the top, as shown at the beginning of this tutorial.

2.

Edit Cases > CoalCombustion_nonox_001 > Furnace > Symmetry Plane 1.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Temperature

Show Faces

(Selected)

Lighting

(Cleared) [1 (p. 476)]

Render

Footnote
1.

4.

Turning off the lighting makes the colors accurate in the 3D view, but can make it more difficult
to perceive depth. As an alternative to turning off the lighting, you can try rotating the view
to a different position.

Click Apply.
As expected for a non-swirling case, the flame appears a significant distance away from the burner. The flame
is likely unstable, as evidenced by the rate of solver convergence; the next simulation in this tutorial involves
swirl, which tends to stabilize the flame, and has much faster solver convergence.

Displaying the Water Mass Fraction

Change the variable used for coloring the plot to H2O.Mass Fraction and click Apply.
From the plot it can be seen that water is produced a significant distance away from the burner, as was the flame in
the previous plot. As expected, the mass fraction of water is high where the temperature is high.

Displaying the Radiation Intensity

1.

Change the variable used for coloring the plot to Radiation Intensity and click Apply.
This plot is directly related to the temperature plot. This result is consistent with radiation being proportional
to temperature to the fourth power.

2.

When you are finished, right-click Symmetry Plane 1 in the Outline tree view and select Hide.

Displaying the Temperature of the Fuel Particles

Color the existing particle tracks for the solid particles by temperature:
1.

Edit Cases > CoalCombustion_nonox_001 > Res PT for HC Fuel.

2.

Apply the following settings:

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Coal Combustion Simulation with Swirl

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

HC Fuel.Temperature

Click Apply.
Observing the particle tracks, you can see that coal enters the chamber at a temperature of around 343 K. The
temperature of the coal, as it moves away from the inlet, rises as it reacts with the air entering from the inlet.
The general location where the temperature of the coal increases rapidly is close to the location where the
flame appears to be according to the plots created earlier. Downstream of this location, the temperature of the
coal particles begins to drop.

Displaying the Ash Mass Fraction using Particle Tracking

1.

Change the plot of the particle tracks so that they are colored by HC Fuel.Ash.Mass Fraction.
The ashes form in the flame region, as expected.

2.

Quit CFD-Post, saving the state (.cst) file at your discretion.

Coal Combustion Simulation with Swirl

You will now create a simulation where swirl burners are used and where there is no release of nitrogen oxide during
the process. Swirl burners inject a fuel axially into the combustion chamber surrounded by an annular flow of oxidant
(normally air) which has, upon injection, some tangential momentum. This rotational component, together with the
usually divergent geometry of the burner mouth, cause two important effects:

They promote intense mixing between fuel and air, which is important for an efficient and stable combustion,
and low emissions.

They originate a recirculation region, just at the burner mouth, which traps hot combustion products and acts
as a permanent ignition source, hence promoting the stability of the flame.

If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run
CoalCombustion_nonox_swirl.pre. For details, see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed
to Obtaining a Solution for the Simulation with Swirl using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 479).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following section.

Opening an Existing Simulation

1.

If CFX-Pre is not already running, start it.

2.

Select File > Open Case.

3.

From your working directory, select CoalCombustion_nonox.cfx and click Open.

4.

Select File > Save Case As.

5.

Set File name to CoalCombustion_nonox_swirl.cfx.

6.

Click Save.

Editing the Boundary Conditions

To add swirl to the flow, you will edit the Air Inlet boundary to change the flow direction specification from
Normal to Boundary Condition to Cylindrical Components. You will also edit the Outlet
boundary to change the Pressure Profile Blend setting from 0.05 to 0; the reason for this change is
explained later. You will also delete the two symmetry plane boundary conditions and replace them with a periodic
domain interface.

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Creating a Domain Interface

Air Inlet Boundary

1.

Edit Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 > Furnace > Air Inlet.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Flow Direction > Option

Cylindrical Components

Flow Direction > Axial Component

0.88

Flow Direction > Radial Component

Flow Direction > Theta Component

Axis Definition > Rotational Axis

Global Z

Click OK.

Outlet Boundary
The average pressure boundary condition leaves the pressure profile unspecified while constraining the average
pressure to the specified value. In some situations, leaving the profile fully unspecified is too weak and convergence
difficulties may result. The 'Pressure Profile Blend' feature works around this by blending between a unspecified
pressure profile and a fully specified pressure profile. By default, the pressure profile blend is 5%. For swirling
flow, however, imposing any amount of a uniform pressure profile is inconsistent with the radial pressure profile
which should naturally develop in response to the fluid rotation, and the pressure profile blend must be set to 0.
1.

Edit Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 > Furnace > Outlet.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Mass and Momentum > Option

Average Static Pressure

Mass and Momentum > Pres. Profile Blend 0

3.

Click OK.

Deleting the Symmetry Plane Boundaries

1.

In the Outline tree view, right-click Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 > Furnace > Symmetry
Plane 1, then select Delete.

2.

Delete the other symmetry boundary as well.

Creating a Domain Interface

You will insert a domain interface to connect the Periodic Side 1 and Periodic Side 2 regions.
1.

Create a domain interface named Periodic.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Interface Type

Fluid Fluid

Interface Side 1 > Region List

PeriodicSide1

Interface Side 2 > Region List

PeriodicSide2

Interface Models > Option

Rotational Periodicity
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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

3.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

File name

CoalCombustion_nonox_swirl.def

Click Save.
CFX-Solver Manager automatically starts and, on the Define Run dialog box, the Solver Input File is set.

4.

Quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation (.cfx) file.

Obtaining a Solution for the Simulation with Swirl using

CFX-Solver Manager
When CFX-Pre has shut down and the CFX-Solver Manager has started, obtain a solution to the CFD problem by
following the instructions below.
1.

Ensure that the Define Run dialog box is displayed.

Solver Input File should be set to CoalCombustion_nonox_swirl.def.

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.

3.

At the end of the run, on the completion message that appears, select Post-Process Results.

4.

If using Standalone mode, select Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

5.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results for Simulation with Swirl in CFD-Post

In this section, you will make plots showing the variation of temperature, water mass fraction, and radiation intensity
on the Periodic Side 1 boundary. You will also color the existing particle tracks by temperature and by ash
mass fraction.

Displaying the Temperature on a Periodic Interface

1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).

2.

Edit Cases > CoalCombustion_nonox_swirl_001 > Furnace > Periodic Side 1.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Temperature

Show Faces

(Selected)

Lighting

(Cleared)

Render

4.

Click Apply.

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479

Coal Combustion Simulation with Swirl and Nitrogen Oxide

As expected, the flame appears much closer to the burner than in the previous simulation which had no swirl.
This is due to the fact that the swirl component applied to the air from Air Inlet tends to entrain coal
particles and keep them near the burner for longer, thus helping them to burn.

Displaying the Water Mass Fraction

Change the variable used for coloring the plot to H2O.Mass Fraction and click Apply.
Similar to the no-swirl case, the mass fraction of water with swirl is directly proportional to the temperature of the
furnace.

Displaying the Radiation Intensity

1.

Change the variable used for coloring the plot to Radiation Intensity and click Apply.

2.

When you are finished, right-click Periodic Side 1 in the Outline tree view and select Hide.

Displaying the Temperature using Particle Tracking

1.

Edit Cases > CoalCombustion_nonox_swirl_001 > Res PT for HC Fuel.

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

HC Fuel.Temperature

Click Apply.

Displaying the Ash Mass Fraction using Particle Tracking

1.

Change the plot of the particle tracks so that they are colored by HC Fuel.Ash.Mass Fraction.

2.

Quit CFD-Post, saving the state (.cst) file at your discretion.

Coal Combustion Simulation with Swirl and Nitrogen

Oxide
You will now create a simulation that involves both swirl and the release of nitrogen oxide. The CCL file that was
previously imported contains the nitrogen oxide material,NO, and reactions,Prompt NO Fuel Gas PDF and
Thermal NO PDF, required for this combustion simulation. Nitrogen oxide is calculated as a postprocessing step
in the solver.
If you want to set up the simulation automatically using a tutorial session file, run
CoalCombustion_noxcpp_swirl.pre. For details, see Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed
to Obtaining a Solution for the Simulation with Swirl and Nitrogen Oxide using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 482).
If you want to set up the simulation manually, proceed to the following section.

Opening an Existing Simulation

1.

If CFX-Pre is not already running, start it.

2.

Select File > Open Case.

3.

From your working directory, select CoalCombustion_nonox_swirl.cfx and click Open.

4.

Select File > Save Case As.

5.

Set File name to CoalCombustion_noxcpp_swirl.cfx.

6.

Click Save.

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Editing the Domain

Editing the Domain

In this section, you will edit the Furnace domain by adding the new material NO to the materials list. CFX-Solver
requires that you specify enough information for the mass fraction of NO at each of the system inlets. In this case,
set the NO mass fraction at the air and coal inlets to zero.
1.

Edit Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 > Furnace.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Fluid Specific Models Fluid

Gas Mixture

Fluid > Gas Mixture > Combustion >

Chemistry Post Processing

(Selected)

Fluid > Gas Mixture > Combustion >

NO
Chemistry Post Processing > Materials List
Fluid > Gas Mixture > Combustion >
Prompt NO Fuel Gas
Chemistry Post Processing > Reactions List PDF,Thermal NO PDF
These settings enable the combustion simulation with nitrogen oxide (NO) as a postprocessing step in the
solver. The NO reactions are defined in the same way as any participating reaction but the simulation of the
NO reactions is performed after the combustion simulation of the air and coal. With this one-way simulation,
the NO will have no effect on the combustion simulation of the air and coal.
3.

Click OK.

4.

Edit Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 > Furnace > Air Inlet.

5.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Component Details

NO

Component Details > NO > Mass Fraction 0.0

6.

Click OK.

7.

Edit Simulation > Flow Analysis 1 > Furnace > Coal Inlet.

8.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Boundary Details

Component Details

NO

Component Details > NO > Mass Fraction 0.0

9.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

Apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

File name

CoalCombustion_noxcpp_swirl.def

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Obtaining a Solution for the Simulation with Swirl and Nitrogen Oxide using CFX-Solver Manager
3.

Click Save.

4.

Quit CFX-Pre, saving the simulation as CoalCombustion_noxcpp_swirl.cfx.

Obtaining a Solution for the Simulation with Swirl and Nitrogen

Oxide using CFX-Solver Manager
When CFX-Pre has shut down and the CFX-Solver Manager has started, obtain a solution to the CFD problem by
following the instructions below.
1.

Ensure that the Define Run dialog box is displayed.

Solver Input File should be set to CoalCombustion_noxcpp_swirl.def.

2.

Select Initial Values Specification.

3.

Select CoalCombustion_nonox_swirl_001.res for the initial values file using the Browse

tool.

The fluid solution from the previous case has not changed for this simulation. Loading the results from the
previous case as an initial guess eliminates the need for the solver to solve for the fluids solutions again.
4.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed stating that the run has finished.

5.

At the end of the run, on the completion message that appears, select Post-Process Results.

6.

If using Standalone mode, select Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

7.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results for the Simulation with Swirl and Nitrogen
Oxide in CFD-Post
In this section, you will make a plot on the Periodic Side 1 region showing the variation of concentration of
nitrogen oxide through the coal furnace.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).

2.

Edit Cases > CoalCombustion_noxcpp_swirl_001 > Furnace > Periodic Side 1.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

NO.Mass Fraction

Show Faces

(Selected)

Lighting

(Cleared)

Render

4.

Click Apply.
You can see that NO is produced in the high-temperature region near the inlet. Further downstream, the mass
fraction of NO is more uniform.

5.

Quit CFD-Post, saving the state (.cst) file at your discretion.

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Chapter 31. Steam Jet

This tutorial includes:

Tutorial Features (p. 483)

Overview of the Problem to Solve (p. 483)

Before You Begin (p. 484)

Starting CFX-Pre (p. 484)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre (p. 484)

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 498)

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post (p. 498)

Tutorial Features
In this tutorial you will learn about:

Importing a CCL file in CFX-Pre.

High speed multi-component, multiphase flow with interphase mass transfer.

Model customization using CEL.

Handling mass sources based on species transfer.

Source linearization.

Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

General Mode

Domain Type

Single Domain

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

Continuous Fluid
Dispersed Fluid

CCL File

Import

Boundary Conditions

Inlet Boundary
Opening Boundary
Outlet Boundary
Steam Jet Default
Symmetry Boundary

CFD-Post

Timestep

Physical Timescale

Plots

Default Locators
Line Locator

Other

Chart Creation

Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial investigates the simulation of a high-speed wet steam jet into air. Such a simulation might be produced
by a leaking steam, or high-pressure hot water pipe, just down stream of the actual leak point. The air is cold and
dry, causing the steam to condense further as it mixes with the air. This tutorial is based on a two-fluid model and
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Before You Begin

comprises of the following components: a pure liquid, a disperse phase fluid representing the water and a
two-component gas, and a continuous phase fluid representing the steam and air. Mass transfer occurs between two
fluids as the water condenses or evaporates. This is simulated explicitly using mass sources and sinks in the two
fluids. The mass transfer itself is modeled as a return to equilibrium based on the difference between the actual
molar concentration of steam in air to the saturation value. The rate of mass transfer is modeled using a very simple
Sherwood number-based mass diffusion at the surface of liquid drops. The geometry is two dimensional and
cylindrically symmetric with the far field modeled using an outlet normal to the symmetry axis down stream and
an opening in all other directions.
The steam jet has an inlet at the end of an injection pipe, where the gas and liquid enter the system at a normal speed
of 341 m s^-1. Symmetry boundaries are used on two sides of the domain because a thin section of the geometry
is modeled and there is no swirl. An opening boundary is used around the outside edges of the domain; the opening
condition prescribes a flow direction normal to the boundary in order to provide sufficient constraints on the solution.
Some of the relevant parameters of this problem are:

Static temperature of the injected gas and liquid = 373 K

Average static pressure around the domain = 0 Pa

Temperature around the domain = 25 C

To set up this simulation, you will first import the mesh and CCL files that contain the required expressions and
Additional Variable definitions. You will then define:

the required materials

a domain that involves both gas and liquid water

subdomains that account for gas-to-liquid and liquid-to-gas phase changes

boundary conditions

Before You Begin

It is strongly recommended that you complete the previous tutorials before trying this one. However, if this is the
first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review the following topics before beginning:

Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Running ANSYS CFX Tutorials in ANSYS Workbench (p. 1)

Changing the Display Colors (p. 4)

Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3)

Starting CFX-Pre
1.

2.

Prepare the working directory using the following files in the examples directory:

SteamJet.pre

steam_jet.gtm

steam_jet_expressions.ccl

steam_jet_additional_variables.ccl

Set the working directory and start CFX-Pre.

For details, see Preparing a Working Directory and Starting ANSYS CFX in Standalone Mode (p. 1)

Defining a Case in CFX-Pre

If you want to set up the case automatically using a tutorial session file, run SteamJet.pre. For details, see
Playing a Tutorial Session File (p. 3). Then proceed to Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager (p. 498).
If you want to set up the case manually, proceed to the following steps:
This section describes the step-by-step definition of the flow physics in CFX-Pre for a steady-state simulation.
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Importing the Mesh

1.

In CFX-Pre, select File > New Case.

2.

Select General and click OK.

3.

Edit Case Options > General in the Outline tree view and ensure that Automatic Default Domain and
Automatic Default Interfaces are turned off.

4.

Select File > Save Case As.

5.

Set File name to SteamJet.cfx.

6.

Click Save.

Importing the Mesh

1.

Select File > Import > Mesh.

2.

In the Import Mesh dialog box, set Files of type to CFX Mesh (*gtm *cfx) and select steam_jet.gtm
from your working directory.

3.

Click Open.

Importing the Steam Jet CCL

ANSYS CFX Command Language (CCL) consists of commands used to carry out actions in CFX-Pre, CFX-Solver
Manager, and CFD-Post. Expressions and Additional Variables required for the steam jet simulation will be imported
from CCL files. This section outlines the steps to analyze steam_jet_expressions.ccl and
steam_jet_additional_variables.ccl, and then import them into the simulation.

Note
The physics for a case can be saved to a CCL (CFX Command Language) file at any time by selecting
File > Export > CCL.
1.

Select CCL files from your working directory, and open them one at a time with a text editor and take the time
to look at the information they contain. For details on setting up the working directory, see Starting
CFX-Pre (p. 484). The information contained in the CCL files is outlined below:

2.

The CCl file steam_jet_expressions.ccl creates expressions required for setting up the following
data:

Liquid/gas interface

Interphase diffusive transport coefficient

Heats of vaporization

Liquid-gas mass transfer for water

Continuity linearization with respect to P,

Local false step linearization of the IPMT.

The CCL file steam_jet_additional_variables.ccl creates the following Additional Variables:

Pressure linearization coefficient PCoef

Water IPMT flux liquid to gas WaFluxLG

Water IPMT flux gas to liquid WaFluxGL

Local IPMT false timestep FalseDt

Saturation temperature for post SatTemp

Saturation pressure for post SatPres

Latent heat at saturation for post SatLHeat

Select File > Import > CCL

The Import CCL dialog box appears.

3.

Under Import Method, select Append. This options appends the changes to the existing case.

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Creating a Steady State Analysis

Note
The Replace option is useful if you have defined the physics and want to update or replace the
existing physics using the newly imported CCL.
4.

From your working directory, select steam_jet_expressions.ccl.

5.

Click Open. The CCL is now loaded as indicated by the status bar in the bottom right corner of the window.
After a short pause, the CCL and the Outline tree view will be updated.

6.

Repeat steps 2 to 5 to import steam_jet_additional_variables.ccl.

7.

In the Outline tree view, expand the Additional Variables and Expressions branches under
Simulation > Expressions, Functions and Variables to confirm that new objects have been
added after importing the CCL files.

Creating a Steady State Analysis

The characteristics of this case do not change as a function of time, and therefore a steady state analysis is appropriate.
1.

Click Analysis Type

2.

Apply the following settings:

3.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

External Solver Coupling > Option

None

Analysis Type > Option

Steady State

Click OK.

Creating and Loading Materials

In addition to providing template fluids, CFX allows you to create custom fluids for use in all your CFX models.
A custom fluid may be defined as a pure substance, but may also be defined as a mixture, consisting of a number
of transported fluid components. This type of fluid model is useful for applications involving mixtures, reactions,
and combustion.
In order to define custom fluids, CFX-Pre provides the Material details view. This tool allows you to define your
own fluids as pure substances, fixed composition mixtures or variable composition mixtures using a range of template
property sets defined for common materials.
The steam jet application requires two mixtures made up from three separate materials (or components). You are
first going to load the materials that take part in the process (Steam3v and Steam3l). The Air Ideal Gas
material is already loaded. Finally, you will create a variable composition mixture as well as a fixed composition
mixture consisting of these three materials. In a variable composition mixture, the proportion of each component
will change throughout the simulation; while in a fixed composition mixture, the proportion of each component is
fixed.

Loading the Steam3l, Steam3v, and Steam3vl Materials

Load the materials Steam3l, Steam3v, and Steam3vl from the CFX-Pre Materials Library.
1.

In the Outline tree view, right-click Simulation > Materials and select Import Library Data.
The Select Library Data to Import dialog box appears.

2.

Click the browse button

next to File to Import.

The Import CCL dialog box appears.

3.

Under Import Method, select Append. This options appends the CCL changes to the existing case.

4.

Select MATERIALS-iapws.ccl from the etc/materials-extra directory and click Open.

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Creating the Domain

5.

In the Select Library Data to Import dialog box, expand Wet Steam and select Steam3vl.

6.

Click OK.

7.

In the Outline tree view, expand Simulation > Materials to confirm that Steam3l, Steam3v, and
Steam3vl have been added to the list.

Creating the Gas Mixture Material

Create a new material named Gas mixture that will be composed of Air Ideal Gas and Steam3v. This
material will be injected into the gas inlet during the steady state simulation.
1.

Create a new material named Gas mixture.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Option

Variable Composition Mixture

Materials List

Air Ideal Gas, Steam3v

[1 (p. 487)]

Footnote
1.

3.

Click the Ellipsis icon

to open the Materials List dialog box, then select multiple items
by holding the Ctrl key. Click OK.

Click OK.

Creating the Liquid Mixture Material

Create a new material named Liquid mixture that will be composed of Steam3l.
1.

Create a new material named Liquid mixture.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Option

Fixed Composition Mixture

Materials List

Steam3l

Child Materials > Steam3l > Mass Fraction 1.0

3.

Click OK.

Creating the Domain

This section outlines the steps to create a new domain Steam Jet.
1.

Select Insert > Domain from the menu bar, or click Domain

2.

In the Insert Domain dialog box, set the name to Steam Jet and click OK.

3.

On the Basic Settings tab, apply the following settings under Location and Type:
Setting

Value

Location

B26

Domain Type

Fluid Domain

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Creating the Domain

4.

Setting

Value

Coordinate Frame

Coord 0

On the Basic Settings tab, delete any existing items under Fluid and Particle Definitions by selecting them
and clicking Remove selected item

5.

Under Fluid and Particle Definitions, create two fluid definitions named Gas and Liquid by using the Add
new item

icon.

The new fluids named Gas and Liquid appear under Fluid and Particle Definitions.
6.

On the Basic Settings tab, apply the following settings under Fluid and Particle Definitions:
Setting

Value

(List Box)

Gas

Gas > Material

Gas mixture

Gas > Morphology > Option

Continuous Fluid

(List Box)

Liquid

Liquid > Material

Liquid mixture

Liquid > Morphology > Option

Dispersed Fluid

Liquid > Morphology > Mean Diameter liqLength [1 (p. 488)]

Footnote
1.
7.

Click the Enter Expression icon

to specify the CEL expression.

On the Fluid Models tab, apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

Heat Transfer > Option

Fluid Dependent

Turbulence > Option

Fluid Dependent

Combustion > Option

None

Thermal Radiation > Option

None

8.

On the Fluid Models tab under Additional Variable Models > Additional Variable, select FalseDt and
select the FalseDt check box.

9.

Make sure that Additional Variable Models > Additional Variable > FalseDt > Option is set to Fluid
Dependent.

10. Repeat the previous two steps for the rest of the Additional Variables (PCoef, SatLheat, SatPres, SatTemp,
WaFluxGL, WaFluxLG).
11. On the Fluid Specific Models tab, select Gas in the list box, then apply the following settings:
Setting

Value

Heat Transfer > Heat Transfer > Option

Total Energy

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Creating the Domain

Setting

Value

Turbulence > Option

k-Epsilon

Turbulence > Wall Function > Wall Function

Scalable

Component Models > Component

Air Ideal Gas

Component Models > Component > Air Ideal Gas > Option

Constraint

Component Models > Component

Steam3v

Component Models > Component > Steam3v > Option

Transport Equation

Component Models > Component > Steam3v > Kinematic Diffusivity

(Selected)

Component Models > Component > Steam3v > Kinematic Diffusivity >
Kinematic Diffusivity

KinDiff [1 (p. 489)]

Additional Variable Models

PCoef

Additional Variable Models > PCoef

(Selected)

Additional Variable Models > PCoef > Add. Var. Value

dFLUXwadp [1 (p. 489)]

Footnote
1.

Click the Enter Expression icon

to specify the CEL expression.

12. On the Fluid Specific Models tab, select Liquid in the list box, then apply the following settings:
Setting

Value

Heat Transfer > Heat Transfer > Option

Total Energy

Turbulence > Option

Dispersed Phase Zero Equation

13. Under Additional Variable Models (for Liquid), select FalseDt in the list box, then apply the following
settings:
Setting

Value

FalseDt

(Selected)

FalseDt > Add. Var. Value

DtFalseMf [1 (p. 489)]

Footnote
1.

Click the Enter Expression icon

to specify the CEL expression.

14. Repeat the previous step for the rest of the Additional Variables (PCoef, SatLheat, SatPres, SatTemp, WaFluxGL,
WaFluxLG) using the following values:
Additional Variable

Expression

PCoef

dFLUXwadp [1 (p. 490)]

SatLheat

HtVapwa [1 (p. 490)]

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Creating Subdomains
Additional Variable

Expression

SatPres

VpWat [1 (p. 490)]

SatTemp

SatT [1 (p. 490)]

WaFluxGL

FLUXwa1 [1 (p. 490)]

WaFluxLG

FLUXwa2 [1 (p. 490)]

Footnote
1.

Click the Enter Expression icon

to specify the CEL expression.

15. On the Fluid Pair Models tab, select Gas | Liquid in the list box, then apply the following settings:
Setting

Value

Surface Tension Coefficient

(Selected)

Surface Tension Coefficient > Surf. Tension Coeff.

srfTenCoef [1 (p. 490)]

Interphase Transfer > Option

Particle Model

Momentum Transfer > Drag Force > Option

Schiller Naumann

Turbulence Transfer > Option

None

Mass Transfer > Option

None

Heat Transfer > Option

Ranz Marshall

Footnote
1.

Click the Enter Expression icon

to specify the CEL expression.

16. Click OK.

Creating Subdomains
To provide the correct modeling for the steam jet you need to define mass fraction sources for the fluid components
steam3v and steam3l. To do this, you need to create a subdomain where the relevant sources can be specified.
In this case, sources need to be provided within the entire domain of the steam jet since the reaction occurs throughout
the domain.

Gas to Liquid Source Subdomain

This section outlines the steps to create a new subdomain GastoLiq.
1.

Create a subdomain named GastoLiq.

2.

On the Basic Settings tab, apply the following settings:

Setting

Value

Location

B26

Coordinate Frame

Coord 0

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Creating Subdomains
3.

On the Fluid Sources tab, select Gas in the list box, then select the Gas check box and apply the following
settings:
Setting

Value

Equation Sources

Continuity

Equation Sources > Continuity

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Continuity > Option

Fluid Mass Source

Equation Sources > Continuity > Source

-Liquid.WaFluxGL [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > MCF/Energy Sink Option

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Continuity > MCF/Energy Sink Option > Sink
Option

Spec. Mass Frac. and Loc. Temp.

Equation Sources > Continuity > Mass Source Volume Fraction

Coefficient

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Continuity > Mass Source Volume Fraction

Coefficient > Volume Frac. Coeff.

-Gas.density/DtFalseMf [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Steam3v.mf > Option

Value

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Steam3v.mf > Value

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Temperature > Option

Value

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Temperature > Value

Gas.T [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Turbulence Eddy

Dissipation > Option

Value

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Turbulence Eddy

Dissipation > Value

Gas.ed [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Turbulence Kinetic Energy Value
> Option
Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Turbulence Kinetic Energy Gas.ke [1 (p. 492)]
> Value
Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > Option

Cartesian Vector Components

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > U

Gas.Velocity u [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > V

Gas.Velocity v [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > W

Gas.Velocity w [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources

Steam3v.mf

Equation Sources > Steam3v.mf

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Steam3v.mf > Option

Source

Equation Sources > Steam3v.mf > Source

0 [kg m^-3 s^-1]

Equation Sources > Steam3v.mf > Source Coefficient

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Steam3v.mf > Source Coefficient > Source

Coefficient

dFLwadYG [1 (p. 492), 2 (p. 492)]

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491

Creating Subdomains

Footnotes

4.

1.

Click the Enter Expression icon

to specify the CEL expression.

2.

This source coefficient is required only for the mass transfer rates between gas and liquid
phases. The source is set to 0 [kg m^3 s^-1] because there is no external source and thus no
additional mass is transferred into the system.

On the Fluid Sources tab, select Liquid in the list box, then select the Liquid check box and apply the
following settings:
Setting

Value

Equation Sources

Continuity

Equation Sources > Continuity

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Continuity > Option

Fluid Mass Source

Equation Sources > Continuity > Source

Liquid.WaFluxGL [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Mass Source Volume Fraction

Coefficient

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Continuity > Mass Source Volume Fraction

Coefficient > Volume Frac. Coeff.

-Liquid.density/DtFalseMf [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Temperature > Option

Value

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Temperature > Value

Gas.T [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > Option

Cartesian Vector Components

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > U

Gas.Velocity u [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > V

Gas.Velocity v [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > W

Gas.Velocity w [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources

Energy

Equation Sources > Energy

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Energy > Option

Source

Equation Sources > Energy > Source

Liquid.WaFluxGL*HtVapwa [1 (p. 492)]

Equation Sources > Energy > Source Coefficient

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Energy > Source Coefficient > Source Coefficient -Liquid.vf*Liquid.density*Liquid.Cp/DtFalseMf
[1 (p. 492)]

Footnote
1.
5.

Click the Enter Expression icon

to specify the CEL expression.

Click OK.

Liquid to Gas Source Subdomain

This section outlines the steps to create a new subdomain LiqtoGas.
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Creating Subdomains
1.

Create a new subdomain named LiqtoGas.

2.

On the Basic Settings tab, apply the following settings:

3.

Setting

Value

Location

B26

Coordinate Frame

Coord 0

On the Fluid Sources tab, select Gas in the list box, then select the Gas check box and apply the following
settings:
Setting

Value

Equation Sources

Continuity

Equation Sources > Continuity

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Continuity > Option

Fluid Mass Source

Equation Sources > Continuity > Source

Liquid.WaFluxLG [1 (p. 493)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Steam3v.mf > Option

Value

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Steam3v.mf > Value

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Temperature > Option

Value

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Temperature > Value

SatT [1 (p. 493)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Turbulence Eddy Dissipation Value
> Option
Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Turbulence Eddy Dissipation Gas.ed [1 (p. 493)]
> Value
Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Turbulence Kinetic Energy > Value
Option
Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Turbulence Kinetic Energy > Gas.ke [1 (p. 493)]
Value
Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > Option

Cartesian Vector Components

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > U

Liquid.Velocity u >[1 (p. 493)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > V

Liquid.Velocity v [1 (p. 493)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > W

Liquid.Velocity w [1 (p. 493)]

Footnote
1.
4.

Click the Enter Expression icon

to specify the CEL expression.

On the Fluid Sources tab, select Liquid in the list box, then select the Liquid check box and apply the
following settings:
Setting

Value

Equation Sources

Continuity

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Creating Boundaries
Setting

Value

Equation Sources > Continuity

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Continuity > Option

Fluid Mass Source

Equation Sources > Continuity > Source

-Liquid.WaFluxLG [1 (p. 494)]

Equation Sources > Continuity > MCF/Energy Sink Option

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Continuity > MCF/Energy Sink Option > Sink Spec. Mass Frac. and Temp.
Option
Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Temperature > Option Value
Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Temperature > Value SatT [1 (p. 494)]
Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > Option

Cartesian Vector Components

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > U

0 [m s^-1]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > V

0 [m s^-1]

Equation Sources > Continuity > Variables > Velocity > W

0 [m s^-1]

Equation Sources

Energy

Equation Sources > Energy

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Energy > Option

Source

Equation Sources > Energy > Source

-Liquid.WaFluxLG*HtVapwa [1 (p. 494)]

Equation Sources > Energy > Source Coefficient

(Selected)

Equation Sources > Energy > Source Coefficient > Source Coefficient -Liquid.vf*Liquid.density*Liquid.Cp/DtFalseMf
[1 (p. 494)]

Footnote
1.
5.

Click the Enter Expression icon

to specify the CEL expression.

Click OK.

Creating Boundaries
This section outlines the steps to create the following boundaries: a Gas Inlet for the location where the steam
is injected, an Opening boundary for the outer edges of the domain, and two symmetry boundaries. The wall of
the injection pipe will assume the default boundary (a smooth, no-slip wall).

Inlet Boundary
At the gas inlet, create an inlet boundary that injects wet steam at a normal speed and static temperature set consistent
with the problem description. The steam contains a liquid and vapor component whose sum of volume fractions is
unity.
1.

Create a new boundary named Gas Inlet.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Inlet
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Creating Boundaries
Tab

Boundary Details

Fluid Values

Setting

Value

Location

gas inlet

Mass And Momentum > Option

Normal Speed

Mass And Momentum > Normal Speed

341 [m s^-1]

Turbulence > Option

Fluid Dependent

Heat Transfer > Option

Static Temperature

Heat Transfer > Static Temperature

373 K

Boundary Conditions

Gas

Boundary Conditions > Gas > Turbulence Low (Intensity = 1%)

> Option
Boundary Conditions > Gas > Volume
Fraction > Option

Value

Boundary Conditions > Gas > Volume

Fraction > Volume Fraction

1-0.45*0.4/1000 [1 (p. 495)]

Boundary Conditions > Gas > Component Steam3v

Details
Boundary Conditions > Gas > Component Mass Fraction
Details > Steam3v > Option
Boundary Conditions > Gas > Component 1
Details > Steam3v > Mass Fraction
Boundary Conditions

Liquid

Boundary Conditions > Liquid > Volume Value

Fraction > Option
Boundary Conditions > Liquid > Volume 0.45*0.4/1000 [1 (p. 495)]
Fraction > Volume Fraction

Footnote
1.
3.

Click the Enter Expression icon

to specify the CEL expression.

Click OK.

Opening Boundary for the Outside Edges

For the outer edges of the domain, specify an opening boundary with a fixed pressure and flow direction. The
direction specification is necessary to sufficiently constrain the velocity. At this opening boundary you need to set
the temperature of air that may enter through the boundary. Set the opening temperature to be consistent with the
problem description.
1.

Create a new boundary named Opening.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Opening

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Creating Boundaries
Tab

Setting

Value

Location

air inlet,outer edge,outlet

[1 (p. 496)]

Boundary Details

Mass And Momentum > Option

Opening Pres. and Dirn

Mass And Momentum > Relative Pressure 0 [Pa]

Fluid Values

Flow Direction > Option

Normal to Boundary Condition

Turbulence > Option

Medium (Intensity = 5%)

Heat Transfer > Option

Opening Temperature

Heat Transfer > Opening Temperature

25 [C] [2 (p. 496)]

Boundary Conditions

Gas

Boundary Conditions > Gas > Volume

Fraction > Option

Value

Boundary Conditions > Gas > Volume

Fraction > Volume Fraction

Boundary Conditions > Gas > Component Steam3v

Details
Boundary Conditions > Gas > Component Mass Fraction
Details > Steam3v > Option
Boundary Conditions > Gas > Component 0.0
Details > Steam3v > Mass Fraction
Boundary Conditions

Liquid

Boundary Conditions > Liquid > Volume Value

Fraction > Option
Boundary Conditions > Liquid > Volume 0
Fraction > Volume Fraction

Footnotes

3.

1.

Click the Ellipsis icon

to open the selection dialog box, then select multiple items by
holding the Ctrl key. Click OK.

2.

Ensure that units are set to [C].

Click OK.

Creating the Symmetry Plane Boundaries

1.

Create a new boundary named SymP1.

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

F29.26

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Creating a Time Step Expression

3.

Click OK.

4.

Create a new boundary named SymP2.

5.

Apply the following settings:

6.

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Boundary Type

Symmetry

Location

F27.26

Click OK.

Creating a Time Step Expression

The conditions at each boundary determine the size of the time scale used in the time step. Generally, you can
estimate an effective time step by dividing the displacement by the velocity at which a fluid is traveling. In this
case, however, the velocity at the gas inlet approaches the speed of sound and the time step must be calculated by
taking the height of the inlet and dividing it by the velocity at which the steam enters the system. The lower velocities
at the outlet and opening boundaries allow the time step to be increased after the gas inlet properties have converged.
Once all the values at the inlet, outlet, and openings have converged, a much larger time step is used to allow the
overall solution to settle. In order to account for all these time step changes, an expression will be created.
Since the flow velocities are high at the jet inlet, you need to use a very small time step to capture the property
variations at this location. The flow velocity decreases as you move away from the jet inlet, thus the time step can
be increased systematically for better efficiency. You will now create a time step control expression called Dtstep
that ramps up the time scale in stages:
1.

Right-click Expressions in the Outline tree view and select Insert > Expression.

2.

Set the name to Dtstep and click OK.

3.

In the Definition area, type or copy and paste the following expression:
step(20.5-aitern)*1.0e-5 [s] + step(aitern-20.5)*step(100.5-aitern)*1.0e-4
[s] + step(aitern-100.5)*step(300.5-aitern)*2.0e-4 [s] +
step(aitern-300.5)*step(500.5-aitern)*5.0e-4 [s] + step(aitern-500.5)*1.0e-3
[s]

4.

Click Apply.

Setting Solver Control

1.

Click Solver Control

2.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Basic Settings

Advection Scheme > Option

High Resolution

Convergence Control > Max Iterations

1500

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Timescale Control

Physical Timescale

Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale

Control > Physical Timescale

Dtstep [1 (p. 498)]

Convergence Criteria > Residual Type

RMS

Convergence Criteria > Residual Target

1.0E-4

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Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

Tab

Setting

Value

Advanced Options

Dynamic Model Control > Global Dynamic (Selected)

Model Control
Multiphase Control

(Selected)

Multiphase Control > Volume Fraction

Coupling

(Selected)

Multiphase Control > Volume Fraction

Coupling > Option

Segregated

Footnote
1.
3.

Click the Enter Expression icon

to specify the CEL expression.

Click OK.

Writing the CFX-Solver Input (.def) File

1.

Click Define Run

2.

In the Write Solver Input File dialog box, set File name to SteamJet.def and click Save.

3.

If using Standalone Mode, quit CFX-Pre, saving the case (.cfx) file at your discretion.

Obtaining a Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

When CFX-Pre has shut down and the CFX-Solver Manager has started, obtain a solution to the CFD problem by
following the instructions below:
1.

Ensure Define Run is displayed.

CFX-Solver Input File should be set to SteamJet.def

2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver runs and attempts to obtain a solution. This can take a long time depending on your system.
Eventually a dialog box is displayed.

3.

Note the number of iterations required to obtain a solution.

4.

Select the check box next to Post-Process Results when the completion message appears at the end of the run.

5.

If using Standalone Mode, select the check box next to Shut down CFX-Solver Manager.

6.

Click OK.

Viewing the Results in CFD-Post

In this section, the steam molar fraction in the gas fluid, the gas to liquid and liquid to gas mass transfer rates, and
the false time step will be illustrated on various regions.

Displaying the Steam Molar Fraction

1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.
This ensures that the view is set to a position that is best suited to display the results.

2.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Contour.

3.

Under Name, type Steam Molar Fraction and click OK.

4.

Apply the following settings:

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Displaying the Gas to Liquid Mass Transfer Rate

5.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

SymP2

Variable

Gas.Steam3v.Molar
Fraction

Click Apply.

This will result in SymP2 shown colored by the molar fraction of steam. The steam enters at the Gas Inlet and
therefore has a higher gas to liquid mass transfer rate at this location. You may want to zoom in near the gas inlet
to view the molar fraction variation more closely.

Displaying the Gas to Liquid Mass Transfer Rate

1.

In the tree view, clear the check box beside Steam Molar Fraction to hide it.

2.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.
This ensures that the view is set to a position that is best suited to display the results.

3.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Contour.

4.

Under Name, type Gas to Liquid Flux and click OK.

5.

Apply the following settings:

6.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

SymP2

Variable

Liquid.WaFluxGL

Click Apply.

This will result in SymP2 shown colored by the gas to liquid mass transfer rate. The steam enters at the Gas Inlet
and therefore has a higher gas to liquid mass transfer rate at this location. You may want to zoom in near the gas
inlet to view the mass transfer rate variation more closely.

Displaying the Liquid to Gas Mass Transfer Rate

1.

In the tree view, clear the check box beside Gas to Liquid Flux to hide it.

2.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.
This ensures that the view is set to a position that is best suited to display the results.

3.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Contour.

4.

Under Name, type Liquid to Gas Flux and click OK.

5.

Apply the following settings:

6.

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

SymP2

Variable

Liquid.WaFluxLG

Click Apply.

This will result in SymP2 shown colored by the liquid to gas mass transfer rate. The steam enters at the Gas Inlet
and therefore has a higher liquid to gas mass transfer rate at this location. You may want to zoom in near the gas
inlet to view the mass transfer rate variation more closely.

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Displaying the Gas to Liquid and Liquid to Gas Phase Transfer Rates in Synchronous Views

Displaying the Gas to Liquid and Liquid to Gas Phase Transfer

Rates in Synchronous Views
1.

In the viewer tool bar, open the viewport drop-down menu and click the option with two horizontal viewports.

2.

In the viewer tool bar, click Synchronize camera in displayed views

3.

Click a blank area in View 2 so that it becomes the active view.

4.

In the tree view, select the check box beside Gas to Liquid Flux.

Note
Under User Locations and Plots in the tree view, ensure that only Liquid to Gas
Flux is visible in View 1, and only Gas to Liquid Flux is visible in View 2.
5.

In View 2, right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Z.
This ensures that the view is set to a position that is best suited to display the results.

You may want to zoom in near the gas inlet to view the differences between the gas to liquid and liquid to gas phase
transfer rates.

Creating a Chart to Plot the False Time Step Along a Line

1.

In the tree view, right-click User Locations and Plots and select Insert > Location > Line.

2.

In the Insert Line dialogue box, use the default name and click OK.

3.

Apply the following settings:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Definition > Method

Two Points

Definition > Point 1

0, 0.005, 0.0002

Definition > Point 2

5, 0.005, 0.0002

Line Type > Cut

(Selected)

4.

Click Apply.

5.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Chart.

6.

Name the chart False Time Step and click OK.

7.

Apply the following settings:

8.

Tab

Setting

Value

General

Title

False Time Step

Data Series

Data Source > Location

Line 1

X Axis

Data Selection > Variable

Y Axis

Data Selection > Variable

Liquid.FalseDt

Axis Range > Logarithmic Scale

(Selected)

Click Apply.

The false time step peaks where the interphase mass transfer rate changes sign, and hence goes through zero. This
is true because the false time step is inversely proportional to the absolute mass transfer rate.
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Creating a Chart to Plot the False Time Step Along a Line

When you have finished viewing the chart, quit CFD-Post.

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Chapter 32. Postprocessing Fluid Flow and

Heat Transfer in a Mixing Elbow
This tutorial illustrates how to use ANSYS CFD-Post to visualize a three-dimensional turbulent fluid flow and heat
transfer problem in a mixing elbow. The mixing elbow configuration is encountered in piping systems in power
plants and process industries. It is often important to predict the flow field and temperature field in the area of the
mixing region in order to properly design the junction.
This tutorial demonstrates how to do the following:

Create a Working Directory (p. 504)

Launch ANSYS CFD-Post (p. 505)

Display the Solution in ANSYS CFD-Post (p. 508)

Save Your Work (p. 536)

Generated Files (p. 538)

Problem Description
The problem to be considered is shown schematically in Figure 32.1, Problem Specification (p. 504). A cold fluid
at 20 C flows into the pipe through a large inlet and mixes with a warmer fluid at 40 C that enters through a smaller
inlet located at the elbow. The pipe dimensions are in inches, but the fluid properties and boundary conditions are
given in SI units. The Reynolds number for the flow at the larger inlet is 50,800, so the flow has been modeled as
being turbulent.

Note
This tutorial is derived from an existing ANSYS FLUENT case. The combination of SI and Imperial
units is not typical, but follows an ANSYS FLUENT example.
Because the geometry of the mixing elbow is symmetric, only half of the elbow is modeled.

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Create a Working Directory

Figure 32.1. Problem Specification

Create a Working Directory

CFD-Post uses a working directory as the default location for loading and saving files for a particular session or
project. Before you run a tutorial, use your operating system's commands to create a working directory where you
can store your sample files and results files.
By working in that new directory, you prevent accidental changes to any of the sample files.

Copying the CAS and CDAT Files

Sample files are provided so that you can begin using CFD-Post immediately. You may find sample files in a variety
of places, depending on which products you have:

If you have CFD-Post or ANSYS CFX, sample files are in <CFXROOT>\examples, where <CFXROOT> is
the installation directory for ANSYS CFX. Copy the CAS and CDAT files (elbow1.cas.gz,
elbow1.cdat.gz, elbow3.cas.gz, and elbow3.cdat.gz) to your working directory.

If you have ANSYS FLUENT 12:

1.

Download cfd-post-elbow.zip from the ANSYS FLUENT User Services Center

(www.fluentusers.com) to your working directory. This file can be found by using the Documentation link
on the ANSYS FLUENT product page.

2.

Extract the CAS files and CDAT files (elbow1.cas.gz, elbow1.dat.gz, elbow3.cas.gz and
elbow3.dat.gz) from cfd-post-elbow.zip to your working directory.

These tutorials are prepared on a Windows system. The screen shots and graphic images in the tutorials may
be slightly different than the appearance on your system, depending on the operating system or graphics card.

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Launch ANSYS CFD-Post

Launch ANSYS CFD-Post

Before you start CFD-Post, set the working directory. The procedure for setting the working directory and starting
CFD-Post depends on whether you will launch CFD-Post standalone, from the ANSYS CFX Launcher, from ANSYS
Workbench, or from ANSYS FLUENT:

To run CFD-Post standalone, from the Start menu, right-click All Programs > ANSYS 12.1 > Fluid Dynamics
> CFD-Post and select Properties. Type the path to your working directory in the Start in field and click OK,
then click All Programs > ANSYS 12.1 > Fluid Dynamics > CFD-Post to launch CFD-Post.

To run ANSYS CFX Launcher

1.

Start the ANSYS CFX Launcher.

You can run the ANSYS CFX Launcher in any of the following ways:

On Windows:

From the Start menu, go to All Programs > ANSYS 12.1 > Fluid Dynamics > CFX.

In a DOS window that has its path set up correctly to run ANSYS CFX, enter cfx5launch
(otherwise, you will need to type the full pathname of the cfx command, which will be something
similar to C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v121\CFX\bin).

On UNIX, enter cfx5launch in a terminal window that has its path set up to run ANSYS CFX (the
path will be something similar to /usr/ansys_inc/v121/CFX/bin).

2.

Select the Working Directory (where you copied the sample files).

3.

Click the CFD-Post 12.1 button.

ANSYS Workbench
1.

Start ANSYS Workbench.

2.

From the menu bar, select File > Save As and save the project file to the directory that you want to be the
working directory.

3.

Open the Component Systems toolbox and double-click Results. A Results system opens in the Project
Schematic.

4.

Right-click on the A2 Results cell and select Edit. CFD-Post opens.

ANSYS FLUENT
1.

Click the ANSYS FLUENT icon (

) in the ANSYS program group to open ANSYS FLUENT Launcher.

ANSYS FLUENT Launcher allows you to decide which version of ANSYS FLUENT you will use, based
on your geometry and on your processing capabilities.

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Launch ANSYS CFD-Post

2.

Ensure that the proper options are enabled.

ANSYS FLUENT Launcher retains settings from the previous session.
a.

Select 3D from the Dimension list.

b.

Select Serial from the Processing Options list.

c.

Make sure that the Display Mesh After Reading and Embed Graphics Windows options are enabled.

d.

Make sure that the Double-Precision option is disabled.

Tip
You can also restore the default settings by clicking the Default button.
3.

Set the working path to the directory created when you unzipped cfd-post-elbow.zip.
a.

Click Show More.

b.

Enter the path to your working directory for Working Directory by double-clicking the text box and
typing.
Alternatively, you can click the browse button (
) next to the Working Directory text box and
browse to the directory, using the Browse For Folder dialog box.

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Launch ANSYS CFD-Post

4.

Click OK to launch ANSYS FLUENT.

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Display the Solution in ANSYS CFD-Post

5.

Select File > Read > Case & Data and choose the elbow1.cas.gz file.

6.

Select File > Export to CFD-Post.

7.

In the Select Quantities list that appears, highlight the following variables:

8.

Static Pressure

Density

X Velocity

Y Velocity

Z Velocity

Static Temperature

Turbulent Kinetic Energy (k)

Click Write.
CFD-Post starts with the tutorial file loaded.

9.

In the ANSYS FLUENT application, select File > Read > Case & Data and choose the elbow3.cas.gz
file.

10. On the Export to CFD-Post dialog, clear the Open CFD-Post option and click Write. Accept the default
name and click OK to save the files.
11. Close ANSYS FLUENT.

Display the Solution in ANSYS CFD-Post

In the steps that follow, you will visualize various aspects of the flow for the solution using CFD-Post. You will:

Prepare the case and set the viewer options

View the mesh and check it by using the Mesh Calculator

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Prepare the Case and Set the Viewer Options

View simulation values using the Function Calculator

Become familiar with the 3D Viewer controls

Create an instance reflection

Show fluid velocity on the symmetry plane

Create a vector plot to show the flow distribution in the elbow

Create streamlines to show the flow distribution in the elbow

Show the vortex structure

Use multiple viewports to compare a contour plot to the display of a variable on a boundary

Chart the changes to temperature at two places along the pipe

Create a table to show mixing

Review and modify a report

Create a custom variable and cause the plane to move through the domain to show how the values of a custom
variable change at different locations in the geometry

Compare the results to those in a refined mesh

Save your work

Create an animation of a plane moving through the domain.

Prepare the Case and Set the Viewer Options

1.

If you have launched CFD-Post from ANSYS FLUENT, proceed to the next step. For all other situations, load
the simulation from the data file (elbow1.cdat.gz) from the menu bar by selecting File > Load Results.
In the Load Results File dialog, select elbow1.cdat.gz and click Open.

2.

If you see a pop-up that discusses Global Variables Ranges, it can be ignored. Click OK.
The mixing elbow appears in the 3D Viewer in an isometric orientation. The wireframe appears in the view
and there is a check mark beside User Location and Plots > Wireframe in the Outline tree view; the check
mark indicates that the wireframe is visible in the 3D Viewer.

3.

Optionally, set the viewer background to white:

a.

Right-click on the viewer and select Viewer Options.

b.

In the Options dialog, select CFD-Post > Viewer.

c.

Set:

Background > Color Type to Solid.

Background > Color to white. To do this, click the bar beside the Color label to cycle through 10
basic colors. (Click the right-mouse button to cycle backwards.) Alternatively, you can choose any
color by clicking
to the right of the Color option.

Text Color to black (as above).

Edge Color to black (as above).

d.

Click OK to have the settings take effect.

e.

Experiment with rotating the object by clicking on the arrows of the triad in the 3D Viewer. This is the
triad:

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Prepare the Case and Set the Viewer Options

In the picture of the triad above, the cursor is hovering in the area opposite the positive Y axis, which
reveals the negative Y axis.

Note
The viewer must be in viewing mode for you to be able to click on the triad. You set viewing
mode or select mode by clicking the icons in the viewer toolbar:

When you have finished experimenting, click the cyan (ISO) sphere in the triad to return to the isometric
view of the object.
4.

Set CFD-Post to display objects in the units you want to see. These display units are not necessarily the same
types as the units in the results files you load; however, for this tutorial you will set the display units to be the
same as the solution units for consistency. As mentioned in the Problem Description (p. 503), the solution units
are SI, except for the length, which is measured in inches.
a.

Right-click on the viewer and select Viewer Options.

Tip
The Options dialog is where you set your preferences; see Setting Preferences with the Options
Dialog (p. 81) for details.
b.

In the Options dialog, select Common > Units.

c.

Notice that System is set to SI. In order to be able to change an individual setting (length, in this case)
from SI to imperial, set System to Custom. Now set Length to in (inches) and click OK.

Note

The display units you set are saved between sessions and projects. This means that you can load
results files from diverse sources and always see familiar units displayed.

You have set only length to inches; volume will still be reported in meters. To change volume
as well, in the Options dialog, select Common > Units, then click More Units to find the full
list of settings.

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View and Check the Mesh

View and Check the Mesh

There are two ways to view the mesh: you can use the wireframe for the entire simulation or you can view the mesh
for a particular portion of the simulation.
To view the mesh for the entire simulation:
1.

Right-click on the wireframe in the 3D Viewer and select Show surface mesh to display the mesh.

2.

Click the Z axis of triad in the viewer to get a side view of the object. (Remember that the 3D Viewer toolbar
has to be in viewing mode for you to be able to select the triad elements.)

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View and Check the Mesh

Figure 32.2. The Hexahedral Grid for the Mixing Elbow

3.

In the Outline tree view, double-click on User Locations and Plots > Wireframe to display the wireframe's
editor.

Tip
Click on the Details of Wireframe editor and press F1 to see help about the Wireframe object.
4.

On the Wireframe Details view, click Defaults and Apply to restore the original settings.

To view the mesh for a particular portion of the simulation (in this case, the wall):
1.

In the Outline tree view, select the check box beside Cases > elbow1 > fluid > wall, then double-click wall
to edit its properties in its Details view.

2.

In the Details view:

a.

On the Render tab, clear the Show Faces check box.

b.

Select the Show Mesh Lines check box.

c.

Ensure that Edge Angle is set to 0 [degree].

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View and Check the Mesh

d.

Click Apply.
The mesh appears and is similar to the mesh shown by the previous procedure, except that the mesh is
shown only on the wall.

e.

Now, clear the display of the wall wireframe. In the Details view:
i.

Clear the Render > Show Mesh Lines check box.

ii.

Select the Show Faces check box.

iii. Click Apply.

The wall reappears.
3.

In the Outline tree view, clear the check box beside Cases > elbow1 > fluid > wall.

Note
The rest of the tutorial assumes that the wall is not visible or, if it is visible, that it is showing faces, not
lines.
To check the mesh:
1.

Select the Calculators tab at the top of the workspace area, then double-click Mesh Calculator. The Mesh
Calculator appears.

2.

Using the drop-down arrow beside the Function field, select a function such as Maximum Face Angle.

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View Simulation Values using the Function Calculator

3.

Click Calculate. The results of the calculation appear.

4.

Repeat the previous steps for other functions, such as Mesh Information.

View Simulation Values using the Function Calculator

You can view values in the simulation by using the Function Calculator:
1.

In the Calculators view, double-click Function Calculator. The Function Calculator appears.

2.

In the Function field, select a function to evaluate. This example uses minVal.

3.

In the Location field, select fluid.

4.

Beside the Variable field, click More Variables

and select Volume in the Variable Selector dialog box.

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Become Familiar with the Viewer Controls

Click OK.
5.

Click Calculate to see the result of the calculation of the minimum value of element volumes found in the
fluid region. Note that even though the length of the elbow is measured in inches, the volume is returned in
cubic meters.

Become Familiar with the Viewer Controls

Optionally, take a few moments to become familiar with the viewer controls. These icons switch the mouse from
selecting items in the viewer to controlling the orientation and display of the view. First, the sizing controls:
1.

Click Zoom Box

2.

Click and drag a rectangular box over the geometry.

3.

Release the mouse button to zoom in on the selection.

The geometry zoom changes to display the selection at a greater resolution.

4.

Click Fit View

to re-center and re-scale the geometry.

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Become Familiar with the Viewer Controls

Now, the rotation functions:
on the viewer toolbar.

1.

Click Rotate

2.

Click and drag repeatedly within the viewer to test the rotation of the geometry. Notice how the mouse cursor
changes depending on where you are in the viewer, particularly near the edges:

Figure 32.3. Orientation Control Cursor Types

The geometry rotates based on the direction of movement. If the mouse cursor has an axis (which happens
around the edges), the object rotates around the axis shown in the cursor. The axis of rotation is through the
pivot point, which defaults to be in the center of the object.

Tip
See Mouse Button Mapping (p. 49) for details about other features that you can access with the mouse.
Now explore orientation options:
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -X.

2.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z Up).

3.

Click the Z axis of triad in the viewer to get a side view of the object.

4.

Click the three axes in the triad in turn to see the vector objects in all three planes; when you are done, click
the cyan (ISO) sphere.
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Create an Instance Reflection

Now explore the differences between the orienting controls you just used and select mode.
to enter select mode.

1.

Click

2.

Hover over one of the wireframe lines and notice that the cursor turns into a box.

3.

Click a wireframe line and notice that the Details view for the wireframe appears.

4.

Right-click away from a wireframe line and then again on a wireframe line. Notice how the menu changes:

Figure 32.4. Right-click Menus Vary by Cursor Position

5.

In the Outline tree view, select the elbow1 > fluid > wall check box; the outer wall of the elbow becomes
solid. Notice that as you hover over the colored area, the cursor again becomes a box, indicating that you can
perform operations on that region. When you right-click on the wall, a new menu appears.

6.

Click on the triad and notice that you cannot change the orientation of the viewer object. (The triad is available
only in viewing mode, not select mode.)

7.

In the Outline tree view, clear the elbow1 > fluid > wall check box; the outer wall of the elbow disappears.

Create an Instance Reflection

Create an instance reflection on the symmetry plane so that you can see the complete case:
1.

With the 3D Viewer toolbar in viewing mode, click on the cyan (ISO) sphere in the triad. This will make it
easy to see the instance reflection you are about to create.

2.

Right-click on one of the wireframe lines on the symmetry plane. (If you were in select mode, the mouse cursor
would have a box image added when you are on a valid line. As you are in viewing mode there is no change
to the cursor to show that you are on a wireframe line, so you may see the general right-click menu, as opposed
to the right-click menu for the symmetry plane.) See Figure 32.4, Right-click Menus Vary by Cursor
Position (p. 517).

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Show Velocity on the Symmetry Plane

3.

From the right-click menu, select Reflect/Mirror. If you see a dialog prompting you for the direction of the
normal, choose the Z axis. The mirrored copy of the wireframe appears.

Tip
If the reflection you create is on an incorrect axis, click the Undo

toolbar icon twice.

Show Velocity on the Symmetry Plane

Create a contour plot of velocity on the symmetry plane:
1.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Contour. In the Insert Contour dialog, accept the default name, and click
OK.

2.

In the Details view for Contour 1, set the following:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

symmetrya

Variable

Velocityb

Notice how the available locations are highlighted in the viewer as you move the mouse over the objects in the Locations drop-down
list. You could also create a slice plane at a location of your choice and define the contour to be at that location.
b
Velocity is just an example of a variable you can use. For a list of ANSYS FLUENT variables and their CFX equivalents, see ANSYS
FLUENT Field Variables Listed by Category (p. 199).

3.

Click Apply. The contour plot for velocity appears and a legend is automatically generated.

4.

The coloring of the contour plot may not correspond to the colors on the legend because the viewer has a light
source enabled by default. There are several ways to correct this:

You can change the orientation of the objects in the viewer.

You can experiment with changing the position of the light source by holding down the Ctrl key and
dragging the cursor with the right mouse button.

You can disable lighting for the contour plot. To disable lighting, click on the Render tab and clear the
check box beside Lighting, then click Apply.

Disabling the lighting is the method that provides you with the most flexibility, so change that setting now.
5.

Click on the Z on the triad to better orient the geometry (the 3D Viewer must be in viewing mode, not select
mode, to do this).

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Show Velocity on the Symmetry Plane

Figure 32.5. Velocity on the Symmetry Plane

6.

Improve the contrast between the contour regions:

a.

On the Render tab, select Show Contour Lines and click the plus sign to view more options.

b.

Select Constant Coloring.

c.

Set Color Mode to User Specified and set Line Color to black (if necessary, click on the bar beside
Line Color until black appears).

d.

Click Apply.

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Show Flow Distribution in the Elbow

Figure 32.6. Velocity on the Symmetry Plane (Enhanced Contrast)

7.

Hide the contour plot by clearing the check box beside User Locations and Plots > Contour 1 in the Outline
tree view.

Tip
You can also hide an object by right-clicking on its name in the Outline tree view and selecting
Hide.

Show Flow Distribution in the Elbow

Create a vector plot to show the flow distribution in the elbow:
1.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Vector.

2.

Click OK to accept the default name. The Details view for the vector appears.

3.

On the Geometry tab, set Domains to fluid and Locations to symmetry.

4.

Click Apply.

5.

On the Symbol tab, set Symbol Size to 4.

6.

Click Apply and notice the changes to the vector plot.

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Show Flow Distribution in the Elbow

Figure 32.7. Vector Plot of Velocity

7.

Change the vector plot so that the vectors are colored by temperature:
a.

In the Details view for Vector 1, click on the Color tab.

b.

Set the Mode to Variable. The Variable field becomes enabled.

c.

Click on the down arrow

d.

Click Apply and notice the changes to the vector plot.

beside the Variable field to set it to Temperature.

8.

Optionally, change the vector symbol. In the Details view for the vector, go to the Symbol tab and set Symbol
to Arrow3D. Click Apply.

9.

Hide the vector plot by right-clicking on a vector symbol in the plot and selecting Hide.

CFD-Post uses the Variable setting on the Geometry tab to determine where to place objects to best illustrate
changes in that variable. Once the object has been put in place, you can have CFD-Post measure other variables
along those streamlines by using the Variable setting on the Color tab. In this example you will create streamlines
to show the flow distribution by velocity, then recolor those streamlines to show turbulent kinetic energy:
1.

From the menu bar select Insert > Streamline. Accept the default name and click OK.

2.

In the Details view for Streamline 1, choose the points from which to start the streamlines. Click on the down
arrow
beside the Start From drop-down widget to see the potential starting points. Hover over each point
and notice that the area is highlighted in the 3D Viewer. It would be best to show how streamlines from both

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Show Flow Distribution in the Elbow

inlets interact, so, to make a multi-selection, click the Location editor icon
appears.

. The Location Selector dialog

3.

In the Location Selector dialog, hold down the Ctrl key and click velocity inlet 5 and velocity
inlet 6 to highlight both locations, then click OK.

4.

Click Preview Seed Points to see the starting points for the streamlines.

5.

On the Geometry tab, ensure that Variable is set to Velocity.

6.

Click on the Color tab and make the following changes:

7.

a.

Set the Mode to Variable. The Variable field becomes enabled.

b.

Set the Variable to Turbulence Kinetic Energy.

c.

Set Range to Local.

Click Apply. The streamlines show the flow of massless particles through the entire domain.

Figure 32.8. Streamlines of Turbulence Kinetic Energy

8.

Select the check box beside Vector 1. The vectors appear, but are largely hidden by the streamlines. To correct
this, highlight Streamline 1 in the Outline tree view and press Delete. The vectors are now clearly visible,
but the work you did to create the streamlines is gone. Click the Undo icon

9.

to restore Streamline 1.

Hide the vector plot and the streamlines by clearing the check boxes beside Vector 1 and Streamline 1 in the
Outline tree view.

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Show the Vortex Structure

Show the Vortex Structure

CFD-Post displays vortex core regions to enable you to better understand the processes in your simulation. In this
example you will look at helicity method for vortex cores, but in your own work you would use the vortex core
method that you find most instructive.
1.

In the Outline tree view:

a.

Under User Locations and Plots, clear the check box for Wireframe.

b.

Under Cases > elbow1 > fluid, select the check box for wall.

c.

Double-click on wall to edit its properties. On the Render tab, set Transparency to 0.75 and click
Apply.
This makes the pipe easy to see while also making it possible to see objects inside the pipe.

2.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Vortex Core Region and click OK to accept the default name.

3.

In the Details view for Vortex Core Region 1 on the Geometry tab, set Method to Absolute Helicity
and Level to .01. On the Render tab, set Transparency to 0.2. Click Apply.
The absolute helicity vortex that is displayed is created by a mixture of effects from the walls, the curve in the
main pipe, and the interaction of the fluids. If you had chosen the vorticity method instead, wall effects would
dominate.

4.

On the Color tab, click on the colored bar in the Color field until the bar is green. Click Apply.
This improves the contrast between the vortex region and the blue walls.

5.

Right-click in the 3D Viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Y up).

6.

In the Outline tree view, select the check box beside Streamline 1. This shows how the streamlines are affected
by the vortex regions.

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Compare a Contour Plot to the Display of a Variable on a Boundary

Figure 32.9. Absolute Helicity Vortex

7.

Clear the check boxes beside wall, Streamline 1 and Vortex Core Region 1. Select the check box beside
Wireframe.

Compare a Contour Plot to the Display of a Variable on a

Boundary
A contour plot with color bands has discrete colored regions while the display of a variable on a locator (such as a
boundary) shows a finer range of color detail by default. The instructions that follow will illustrate a variable at the
outlet and create a contour plot that displays the same variable at that same location.
1.

To do the comparison, split the 3D Viewer into two viewports by using the Viewport Layout toolbar in the 3D
Viewer toolbar:

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Compare a Contour Plot to the Display of a Variable on a Boundary

2.

Right-click in both viewports and select Predefined Camera > View Towards -Y.

3.

In the Outline tree view, double-click on pressure outlet 7 (which is under elbow1 > fluid). The
Details view of pressure outlet 7 appears.

4.

Click in the View 1 viewport.

5.

In the Details view for pressure outlet 7 on the Color tab:

a.

Change Mode to Variable.

b.

Ensure Variable is set to Pressure.

c.

Ensure Range is set to Local.

d.

Click Apply. The plot of pressure appears and the legend shows a smooth spectrum that goes from blue
to red. Notice that this happens in both viewports; this is because Synchronize visibility in displayed views
is enabled.

e.

Click Synchronize visibility in displayed views

to disable this feature.

Now, add a contour plot at the same location:

1.

Click in View 2 to make it active; the title bar for that viewport becomes highlighted.

2.

In the Outline tree view, clear the check box beside fluid > pressure outlet 7.

3.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Contour.

4.

Accept the default contour name and click OK.

5.

In the Details view for the contour, ensure that the Locations setting is pressure outlet 7 and the
Variable setting is Pressure.

6.

Set Range to Local.

7.

Click Apply. The contour plot for pressure appears and the legend shows a spectrum that steps through 10
levels from blue to red.

8.

Compare the two representations of pressure at the outlet. Pressure at the Outlet is on the left and a Contour
Plot of pressure at the Outlet is on the right:

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Chart Temperature vs. Distance

Figure 32.10. Boundary Pressure vs. a Contour Plot of Pressure

9.

Enhance the contrast on the contour bands:

a.

In the Outline tree view, right-click on User Locations and Plots > Contour 2 and select Edit.

b.

In the Details view for the contour, click on the Render tab, expand the Show Contour Lines area, and
select the Constant Coloring check box. Then set the Color Mode to User Specified. Click Apply.

c.

Click on the Labels tab and select Show Numbers. Click Apply.

10. Explore the viewer synchronization options:

a.

In View 1, click the cyan (ISO) sphere in the triad so that the two viewports show the elbow in different
orientations.

b.

In the 3D Viewer toolbar, click the Synchronize camera in displayed views icon
take the camera orientation of the active viewport.

c.

Clear the Synchronize camera in displayed views

icon and click on the Z arrow head of the triad in
View 1. The object again moves independently in the two viewports.

d.

In the 3D Viewer toolbar, click the Synchronize visibility in displayed views icon

e.

In the Outline tree view, right-click on fluid > wall and select Show. The wall becomes visible in both
viewports. (Synchronization applies only to events that take place after you enable the synchronize visibility
function.)

. Both viewports

11. When you are done, use the viewport controller to return to a single viewport. The synchronization icons
disappear.

Chart Temperature vs. Distance

We want to show temperature vs. distance at the outlet of the pipe. We will create a chart to do that, but the chart
requires a line where we can sample values.
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Chart Temperature vs. Distance

1.

In the Outline tree view in the User Location and Plots area, right-click and select Hide All, then click in
the check boxes to enable the Default Legend View 1 and the Wireframe.

2.

Click the cyan (ISO) sphere in the triad so that you can again see the full elbow.

3.

Create a line at the centerline of the outlet:

a.

On the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Line. In the Insert Line dialog, accept the default name
and click OK.

b.

Accept the default values and click Apply. A yellow line appears near the inside of the elbow.

c.

In the Details view for Line 1, set the following:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Point 1a

4, 7.999, 0.001b

Point 2

8, 7.999, 0.001

Line Type

Cutc

Mode

Variable

Variable

Temperature

Range

Local

Line Width

Color

Render
a

The units are taken from the 3D Viewer options setting, which you can access from the menu bar by selecting Edit > Options.
The Z value ensures that the line unambiguously passes through the domain.
c
This setting constrains the line to be within the object.
b

d.
4.

Click Apply.

Create a chart that samples the points on Line 1:

a.

On the menu bar, select Insert > Chart. In the Insert Chart dialog, accept the default name and click
OK.

b.

In the Details view for Chart 1, on the General tab set Title to Output Temperatures.

c.

On the Data Series tab, set Name to Temperature at Line 1 and Location to Line 1.

d.

On the X Axis tab, set Variable to X.

e.

On the Y Axis tab, set Variable to Temperature.

f.

Click Apply. A chart similar to the following appears in the Chart Viewer:

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Chart Temperature vs. Distance

Figure 32.11. Chart of Output Temperatures at the Outlet

Tip
The Chart Viewer tab is at the bottom of the viewers area.
Now add a second line to the simulation and to the chart so that you can compare temperature distributions at two
points:
1.

Click on the 3D Viewer tab so that you can see the line you are about to create.

2.

Create a new line midway towards the outlet:

a.

On the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Line. In the Insert Line dialog, accept the default name
and click OK.

b.

In the Details view for Line 2, set the following:

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Point 1a

4, 1.25, 0.001b

Point 2

8, 1.25, 0.001

Line Type

Cutc

Mode

Variable

Color

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Chart Temperature vs. Distance

Tab

Render

Setting

Value

Variable

Temperature

Range

Local

Line Width

The units are taken from the 3D Viewer options setting, which you can access from the menu bar by selecting Edit > Options.
The Z value ensures that the line unambiguously passes through the domain.
c
This setting constrains the line to be within the object.
b

c.
3.

Click Apply. A second line appears near the middle of the top section of pipe.

Add Line 2 to the existing chart:

a.

Right-click on Outline > Report > Chart 1 and select Edit.

b.

In the Details view for Chart 1, click on the Data Series tab, then click the New icon
appears.

. A new series

Select Series 2 and set the following:

c.

Tab

Setting

Value

Series

Name

Temperature at Line 2

Location

Line 2

Click Apply. A chart similar to the following appears in the Chart Viewer:

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Create a Table to Show Mixing

Figure 32.12. Chart of Output Temperatures at Two Locations

The temperatures at Line 2 are higher, which shows that less mixing has occurred than at Line 1.

Create a Table to Show Mixing

You can create a table to show how values change at different locations, provided that the locations have been
defined. In this section you will create three planes along the mixing region and measure the temperatures on those
planes. You will then create a table and define functions that show temperature minimums and maximums, and the
differences between those values.
1.

In the 3D Viewer, ensure that only the wireframe is visible.

2.

Click on the +Z axis on the triad to get a side-view of the elbow, then rotate the top of the elbow slightly
towards you. This will make it easier for you to see the temperature planes that you will create.

3.

From the tool bar, select Location > Plane. In the Insert Plane dialog, type Table Plane 1 and click OK.

4.

In the Details view for Table Plane 1, set the following values:
Tab

Field

Geometry Domains

Value
fluid

Definition > Method ZX Plane

Definition > Y

-6.04
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Create a Table to Show Mixing

Tab

Field

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Temperature

Range

Local

Lighting

(clear)

Render
5.

Click Apply.

6.

Right-click on Table Plane 1 and select Duplicate. The Duplicate dialog appears.
In the Duplicate dialog, accept the default name Table Plane 2 and click OK.
In the Outline view, double-click on Table Plane 2 and on the Geometry tab change Definition > Y to -0.55.
Click Apply.

7.

Repeat the previous step, duplicating Table Plane 2 to make Table Plane 3 and changing Definition
> Y to 2.18. Click Apply.

8.

Repeat the previous step, duplicating Table Plane 3 to make Table Plane 4 and changing Definition
> Y to 5.04. Click Apply.

Now, create a table:

1.

From the menu bar, select Insert > Table. Accept the default table name and click OK. The Table Viewer
opens.

2.

Type in the following headings:

1
3.

Distance to Outlet

Min. Temperature

Max. Temperature

Difference

For the Distance to Outlet column, create an equation that gives the distance from the outlet (which is at the
8 mark). Click on cell A2, then in the Table Viewer's Insert bar, select Function > CFD-Post > minVal. In
the cell definition field you see =minVal()@, which will be the base of the equation. With the cursor between
the parentheses, type Y. Move the cursor after the @ sign and either type Table Plane 1 or select Insert
> Location > Table Plane 1. The expression you have created gives the value of Y for Table Plane 1. To
determine the distance of Table Plane 1 from the outlet, complete the equation as follows, being careful to add
8[in]- to the beginning of the equation to set the location of the outlet:
=8[in]-minVal(Y)@Table Plane 1
When you click away from cell A2, the equation is solved as 1.404e+01 [in].

4.

Complete the rest of the table by entering the following cell definitions:
A

Distance to Outlet

Min. Temperature

Max. Temperature

Difference

=8[in]-minVal(Y)@Table =minVal(T)@Table
Plane 1
Plane 1

=maxVal(T)@Table
Plane 1

=maxVal(T)@Table
Plane 1minVal(T)@Table Plane
1

=8[in]-minVal(Y)@Table =minVal(T)@Table
Plane 2
Plane 2

=maxVal(T)@Table
Plane 2

=maxVal(T)@Table
Plane 2minVal(T)@Table Plane
2

=8[in]-minVal(Y)@Table =minVal(T)@Table
Plane 3
Plane 3

=maxVal(T)@Table
Plane 3

=maxVal(T)@Table
Plane 3-

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Review and Modify a Report

minVal(T)@Table Plane
3
5

=8[in]-minVal(Y)@Table =minVal(T)@Table
Plane 4
Plane 4

=maxVal(T)@Table
Plane 4

=maxVal(T)@Table
Plane 4minVal(T)@Table Plane
4

=8[in]-minVal(Y)@pressure =minVal(T)@pressure
outlet 7
outlet 7

=maxVal(T)@pressure =maxVal(T)@pressure
outlet 7
outlet 7minVal(T)@pressure
outlet 7

As you complete the table, notice that the minimum temperature values stay constant, but the maximum values
decrease as mixing occurs.

Note
The sixth row determines the values at the outlet, rather than on a plane you defined.
5.

The default format for cell data is appropriate for some variables, but it is not appropriate here. Click on cell
A2, then while depressing the Shift key, click in the lower-right cell (D6). Click on the Number Formatting
icon in the Table Viewer toolbar. In the Cell Formatting dialog, set Precision to 2, change Scientific to
Fixed, and click OK.

Review and Modify a Report

As you work, ANSYS CFD-Post automatically updates a report, which you can see in the Report Viewer. At any
time you can publish the report to an HTML file. In this section you will add a picture of the elbow and produce an
HTML report:
1.

Click on the Report Viewer tab at the bottom of the viewer to view the current report.

2.

In the Outline tree view, double-click on the Report > Title Page. In the Title field on the Content tab of the
Details of Report Title Page, type: Analysis of Heat Transfer in a Mixing Elbow

3.

Click Apply, then Refresh Preview to update the contents of the Report Viewer.

4.

In the Outline tree view, ensure that only User Location and Plots > Contour 1, Default Legend View 1,
and Wireframe are visible, then double-click Contour 1. On the Geometry tab, set Variable to Temperature
and click Apply.

5.

On the menu bar, select Insert > Figure. The Insert Figure dialog appears. Accept the default name and click
OK.

6.

In the Outline tree view, double-click Report > Figure 1. In the Caption field, type Temperature on
the Symmetry Plane and click Apply.

7.

Click on the 3D Viewer, then click on the cyan (ISO) sphere in the triad.

8.

Click on the Report Viewer.

9.

On the top frame of the Report Viewer, click the Refresh icon
picture of the mixing elbow at the end of the report.

. The report is updated with a

10. Optionally, click Publish to create an HTML version of the report. In the Publish Report dialog, click OK.
The report is written to Report.htm in your working directory.
11. Right-click in the Outline view and select Hide All, then select Wireframe.

Tip
For more information about reports, see Report (p. 24).

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Create a Custom Variable and Animate the Display

Create a Custom Variable and Animate the Display

In this section you will generate an expression using the CFX Expression Language (CEL), which you can then use
in CFD-Post in place of a numeric value. You will then associate the expression with a variable, which you will
also create. Finally, you will create a plane that displays the new variable, then move the plane to see how the values
for the variable change.
1.

Define a custom expression for the dynamic head formula (rho|V|^2)/2 as follows:
a.

On the tab bar at the top of the workspace area, select Expressions. Right-click in the Expressions area
and select New.

b.

In the New Expression dialog, type: DynamicHeadExp

c.

Click OK.

d.

In the Definition area, type in this definition:

Density * abs(Velocity)^2 / 2
where:

Density is a variable

abs is a CEL function (abs is unnecessary in this example, it simply illustrates the use of a CEL
function)

Velocity is a variable

Tip
You can learn which predefined functions, variables, expression, locations, and constants are
available by right-clicking in the Definition area.
e.
2.

3.

Click Apply.

Associate the expression with a variable (as the plane you define in the next step can display only variables):
a.

On the tab bar at the top of the workspace area, select Variables. Right-click in the Variables area and
select New.

b.

In the New Variable dialog, type: DynamicHeadVar

c.

Click OK.

d.

In the Details view for DynamicHeadVar, click the drop-down arrow beside Expression and choose
DynamicHeadExp. Click Apply.

Create a plane and animate it:

a.

Click on the 3D Viewer tab.

b.

Right-click on the wireframe and select Insert > YZ Plane.

c.

If you see a dialog that asks in which direction you want the normal to point, choose the direction
appropriate for your purposes.
A plane that maps the distribution of the default variable (Pressure) appears.

d.

On the Color tab, set Variable to DynamicHeadVar. On the Render tab, clear Lighting.Click Apply.
The plane now maps the dynamic head distribution.

e.

In the 3D Viewer in with the mouse cursor in select mode, click on the plane and drag it to various places
in the object to see how the location changes the DynamicHeadVar values displayed.

f.

Right-click on the plane and select Animate. The Animation dialog appears and the plane moves through
the entire domain, displaying changes to the DynamicHeadVar values as it moves.

g.

On the Animation dialog, click the Stop icon

, then click Close.

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Loading and Comparing the Results to Those in a Refined Mesh

Tip
You can define multiple planes and animate them concurrently. First, stop any animations currently
running, then create a new plane. To animate both planes, hold down Ctrl to select multiple planes
on the Animation dialog and press the Play icon

4.

In the upper-left corner of the 3D Viewer, click the down arrow beside Figure 1 and change it to View 1.

5.

In the Outline view, right-click beside User Locations and Plots and select Hide All, then select Wireframe
and Default Legend View 1 to make them visible.

Loading and Comparing the Results to Those in a Refined Mesh

To this point you have been working with a coarse mesh. In this section you will compare the results from that mesh
to those from a refined mesh:
1.

Select File > Load Results. The Load Results File dialog appears

2.

On the Load Results File dialog, select Keep current cases loaded and keep the other settings unchanged.

3.

Select elbow3.cdat.gz (or elbow3.cdat) and click Open.

In the 3D Viewer, there are now two viewports: in the title bar for View 1 you have elbow1, and in View 2
you have elbow3. In the Outline tree view under Cases you have elbow1 and elbow3; all boundaries associated
with each case are listed separately and can be controlled separately. You also have a new entry: Cases > Case
Comparison.

4.

In the Toolbar, select Synchronize camera in displayed views

If the two cases are not oriented in the same way, clear the Synchronize camera in displayed views
and then select it again.

icon

Examine the operation of CFD-Post when the two views are not synchronized and when they are synchronized:
1.

In the viewer toolbar, clear Synchronize visibility in displayed views

2.

With the focus in View 1, select Insert > Contour and create a contour of pressure on pressure outlet 7 that
displays values in the local range.
Note that the contour appears only in View 1. When visibility is not synchronized, changes you make to User
Location and Plots settings apply only to the currently active view.

3.

In either view (while in viewing mode), click on the Z axis on the triad. Both views show their cases from the
perspective of the Z axis.

4.

In the viewer toolbar, select Synchronize visibility in displayed views

5.

With the focus on the view that contains elbow3, select Insert > Contour. Accept the default name and click
OK. Define a contour that displays temperature on the symmetry plane:
Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry Locations symmetry

Render

Variable

Temperature

Range

Local

Lighting (clear)

Click Apply.
Note that the contour appears in both views. You can see the differences between the coarse and refined meshes:

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Loading and Comparing the Results to Those in a Refined Mesh

Figure 32.13. Comparing Contour Plots of Temperature on Two Mesh Densities

You can now compare the differences between the coarse and refined meshes:
1.

In the Outline tree view, double-click Cases > Case Comparison.

2.

In the Case Comparison Details view, select Case Comparison Active and click Apply. The differences
between the values in the two cases appear in a third view. Click the Z axis of the triad to restore the orientation
of the views.

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Save Your Work

Figure 32.14. Displaying Differences in Contour Plots of Temperature on Two Mesh

Densities

Now, revert to a single view that shows the original case:

1.

To remove the Difference view, clear Case Comparison Active and click Apply.

2.

To remove the refined mesh case, in the Outline tree view, right-click elbow3 and select Unload.

Save Your Work

When you began this tutorial, you loaded a solver results file. When you save the work you have done in CFD-Post,
you save the current state of CFD-Post into a CFD-Post State file (.cst).
1.

How you save your work depends on whether you are running CFD-Post standalone or from within ANSYS
Workbench:

From CFD-Post standalone:

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Save Your Work

1.

From the menu bar, select File > Save State.

This operation saves the expression, custom variable, and the settings for the objects in a .cst file
and saves the state of the animation in a .can file. The .cas.gz and .cdat.gz files remain
unchanged.

2.

2.

A Warning dialog asks if you want to save the animation state. Click OK.

3.

Optionally, confirm the state file's contents: close the current file from the menu bar by selecting File
> Close (or press Ctrl+W) then reload the state file (select File > Load State and choose the file that
you saved in step 1.)

From ANSYS Workbench:

1.

From the CFD-Post menu bar, select File > Quit. ANSYS Workbench saves the state file automatically.

2.

In the ANSYS Workbench Project Schematic, double-click on the Results cell. CFD-Post re-opens
with the state file loaded.

Save a picture of the current state of the simulation: In the Outline view, show Contour 1. With the focus in
the 3D Viewer, click Save Picture
from the tool bar. In the Save Picture dialog, click Save. A PNG file
of the current state of the viewer is saved to <casename>.png (elbow1.png) in your working directory.

Tip
To learn about the options on the Save Picture dialog, see Save Picture Command (p. 69).
3.

You can recreate the animation you made in the previous section and save it to a file:
a.

Click on the cyan (ISO) sphere in the triad to orient the elbow to display Plane 1.

b.

In the Outline view, clear Contour 1 and show Plane 1.

c.

Right-click on Plane 1 in the 3D Viewer and select Animate. The Animation dialog appears and the
plane moves through the entire domain.

d.

Click the stop icon

e.

If necessary, display the full animation control set by clicking

.
.

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Generated Files

f.

The Repeat is set to infinity; change the value to 1 by clicking the infinity button. The Repeat field
becomes enabled and by default is set to one.

g.

Enable Save Movie to save the animation to the indicated file.

h.

Click Play the animation

The plane moves through one cycle.

You can now go to your working directory and play the animation file in an appropriate viewer.
4.

Click Close to close the Animation dialog.

5.

Close CFD-Post: from the tool bar select File > Quit. If prompted, you may save your changes.

Generated Files
As you worked through this tutorial you generated the following files in your working directory (default names are
given):

elbow1.cst, the state file, and elbow1.can, the animation associated with that state file

elbow1.wmv, the animation

elbow1.png, a picture of the contents of the 3D Viewer

Report.htm, the report.

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Chapter 33. Turbo Postprocessing

This tutorial demonstrates the turbomachinery postprocessing capabilities of CFD-Post.
In this example, you will read ANSYS FLUENT case and data files (without doing any calculations) and perform
a number of turbomachinery-specific postprocessing operations.
This tutorial demonstrates:

Displaying the Solution in ANSYS CFD-Post (p. 545)

Initializing the Turbomachinery Components (p. 546)

Comparing the Blade-to-Blade, Meridional, and 3D Views (p. 547)

Displaying Contours on Meridional Isosurfaces (p. 549)

Displaying a 360-Degree View (p. 550)

Calculating and Displaying Values of Variables (p. 550)

Displaying the Inlet to Outlet Chart (p. 553)

Generating and Viewing Turbo Reports (p. 554)

Problem Description
This tutorial considers the problem of a centrifugal compressor shown schematically in Figure 33.1, Problem
Specification (p. 540). The model comprises a single 3D sector of the compressor to take advantage of the
circumferential periodicity in the problem. The flow of air through the compressor is simulated and the postprocessing
capabilities of CFD-Post are used to display realistic, full 360-degree images of the solution obtained.

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Create a Working Directory

Figure 33.1. Problem Specification

Create a Working Directory

CFD-Post uses a working directory as the default location for loading and saving files for a particular session or
project. Before you run a tutorial, use your operating system's commands to create a working directory where you
can store your sample files and results files.
By working in that new directory, you prevent accidental changes to any of the sample files.

Copying the Sample Files

Sample files are provided so that you can begin using CFD-Post immediately. You may find sample files in a variety
of places, depending on which products you have:

If you have CFD-Post or ANSYS CFX, sample files are in <CFXROOT>/examples, where <CFXROOT> is
the installation directory for ANSYS CFX. Copy the sample files (turbo.cdat.gz and turbo.cas.gz)
to your working directory.

If you have ANSYS FLUENT 12:

1.

Download cfd-post-turbo.zip from the ANSYS FLUENT User Services Center

(www.fluentusers.com) to your working directory. This file can be found by using the Documentation link
on the ANSYS FLUENT product page.

2.

Extract the CAS files and DAT files (turbo.cas.gz and turbo.dat.gz) from
cfd-post-turbo.zip to your working directory.

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Launching ANSYS CFD-Post

Note
These tutorials are prepared on a Windows system. The screen shots and graphic images in the
tutorials may be slightly different than the appearance on your system, depending on the operating
system or graphics card.

Launching ANSYS CFD-Post

Before you start CFD-Post, set the working directory. The procedure for setting the working directory and starting
CFD-Post depends on whether you will run CFD-Post standalone, from the ANSYS CFX Launcher, from ANSYS
Workbench, or from ANSYS FLUENT:

To run CFD-Post standalone, from the Start menu, right-click All Programs > ANSYS 12.1 > Fluid Dynamics
> CFD-Post and select Properties. Type the path to your working directory in the Start in field and click OK,
then click All Programs > ANSYS 12.1 > Fluid Dynamics > CFD-Post to launch CFD-Post.

To run ANSYS CFX Launcher

1.

Start the ANSYS CFX Launcher.

You can run the CFX Launcher in any of the following ways:

On Windows:

From the Start menu, go to Start menu, go to All Programs > ANSYS 12.1 > Fluid Dynamics
> CFX.

In a DOS window that has its path set up correctly to run CFX, enter cfx5launch (otherwise,
you will need to type the full pathname of the cfx command, which will be something similar to
C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v121\CFX\bin).

On UNIX, enter cfx5launch in a terminal window that has its path set up to run CFX (the path will
be something similar to /usr/ansys_inc/v121/CFX/bin).

2.

Select the Working Directory (where you copied the sample files).

3.

Click the CFD-Post 12.1 button.

ANSYS Workbench
1.

Start ANSYS Workbench.

2.

From the menu bar, select File > Save As and save the project file to the directory that you want to be the
working directory.

3.

Open the Component Systems toolbox and double-click Results. A Results system opens in the Project
Schematic.

4.

Right-click on the A2 Results cell and select Edit. CFD-Post opens.

ANSYS FLUENT
1.

Click the ANSYS FLUENT icon (

) in the ANSYS program group to open ANSYS FLUENT Launcher.

ANSYS FLUENT Launcher allows you to decide which version of ANSYS FLUENT you will use, based
on your geometry and on your processing capabilities.

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Launching ANSYS CFD-Post

2.

Ensure that the proper options are enabled.

ANSYS FLUENT Launcher retains settings from the previous session.
1.

Select 3D from the Dimension list.

2.

Select Serial from the Processing Options list.

3.

Make sure that the Display Mesh After Reading and Embed Graphics Windows options are enabled.

4.

Make sure that the Double-Precision option is disabled.

Tip
You can also restore the default settings by clicking the Default button.
3.

Set the working path to the directory created when you unzipped cfd-post-turbo.zip.
1.

Click Show More.

2.

Enter the path to your working directory for Working Directory by double-clicking the text box and
typing.
Alternatively, you can click the browse button (
) next to the Working Directory text box and
browse to the directory, using the Browse For Folder dialog box.

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Launching ANSYS CFD-Post

4.

Click OK to launch ANSYS FLUENT.

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Launching ANSYS CFD-Post

5.

Select File > Read > Case & Data and choose the turbo.cas.gz file.

6.

Select File > Export to CFD-Post.

7.

In the dialog that appears, highlight the variables required by turbo reports, which are below:

ANSYS FLUENT Variables Required by Turbo Reports

8.

Density

Static Pressure

Total Pressure

X Velocity

Y Velocity

Z Velocity

Static Temperature

Total Temperature

Enthalpy

Total Enthalpy

Specific Heat (Cp)

Entropy

Rothalpy

Mach Number

Click Write.
CFD-Post starts with the tutorial file loaded.

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Displaying the Solution in ANSYS CFD-Post

Displaying the Solution in ANSYS CFD-Post

In the steps that follow, you will visualize various aspects of the flow for the case using CFD-Post. You will:

Prepare the case and set the viewer options

Initialize the turbomachinery components

Compare the blade-to-blade, meridional, and 3D views

Compare contours on meridional isosurfaces

Calculate and display the values of variables

Display a 360-degree view

Display the inlet-to-outlet chart

Generate and view a Turbo report

Prepare the Case and Set the Viewer Options

1.

If CFD-Post has not been started from ANSYS FLUENT, load the CDAT file (turbo.cdat.gz) from the
menu bar by selecting File > Load Results. In the Load Results File dialog, select turbo.cdat.gz and
click Open.

2.

If you see a pop-up that discusses Global Variables Ranges, it can be ignored. Click OK.
The turbo blade appears in the viewer in an isometric orientation. The Wireframe appears in the 3D Viewer
and there is a check mark beside Wireframe in the Outline workspace; the check mark indicates that the
wireframe is visible in the 3D Viewer.

3.

Set CFD-Post to display the units you want to see. These display units are not necessarily the same types as
the units in the results files you load; however, for this tutorial you will set the display units to be the same as
the solution units.
1.

Right-click on the viewer and select Viewer Options.

Tip
The Options dialog is where you set your preferences; see Setting Preferences with the Options
Dialog (p. 81) for details.
2.

In the Options dialog, select Common > Units.

3.

Set System to SI and click OK.

Note
The display units you set are saved between sessions and projects. This means that you can load
results files from diverse sources and always see familiar units displayed.
4.

Double-click Wireframe in the Outline workspace to see the Details view. To display the mesh, set Edge
Angle to 0 degrees and click Apply. The Edge Angle is the angle between one edge of a mesh face and its
neighboring face. Setting an edge angle in CFD-Post defines a minimum angle for drawing parts of the surface
mesh. When you set a small angle, the mesh becomes visible.

Tip
With the mouse focus on CFD-Post and the mouse over the Details of Wireframe editor, press F1
to see help about the Wireframe object.
On the Wireframe Details view, click Defaults and Apply to restore the original settings.
5.

Optionally, set the viewer background to white:

1.

Right-click on the viewer and select Viewer Options.

2.

In the Options dialog, select CFD-Post > Viewer.

3.

Set:

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Initializing the Turbomachinery Components

Background > Color Type to Solid.

Background > Color to white. To do this, click the bar beside the Color label to cycle through 10
basic colors. (Click the right-mouse button to cycle backwards.) Alternatively, you can choose any
color by clicking

4.

icon to the right of the Color option.

Text Color to black (as above).

Edge Color to black (as above).

Click OK to have the settings take effect.

Initializing the Turbomachinery Components

Before you can start using the Turbo workspace features, you need to initialize the components of the loaded case
(such as hub, blade, periodics, and so on). Among other things, initialization generates span, a (axial), r (radial),
and Theta coordinates for each component.
You need to initialize FLUENT files manually (automatic initialization is available only for CFX files produced
by the Turbo wizard in CFX-Pre). To initialize the components:
1.

Click on the Turbo tab in the upper-left pane of the CFD-Post window. The Turbo workspace appears as does
a Turbo initialization dialog that offers to auto-initialize all turbo components. Click No.

2.

In the Turbo workspace under Initialization, double-click fluid (fluid). The Details view of Fluid
appears.
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Comparing the Blade-to-Blade, Meridional, and 3D Views

3.

On the Definition tab, the regions of the geometry are listed in the Turbo Regions areas. However, not all
regions are listed; correct this as follows:
to the right of the Hub region.

a.

Click Location editor

b.

Hold down the Ctrl key and in the Location Selector select wall diffuser hub, wall hub, and
wall inlet hub.

c.

Click OK. The Hub field now lists all three hub locations.

d.

Repeat the previous steps for the Shroud region, selecting wall diffuser shroud, wall inlet
shroud, and wall shroud.

e.

Repeat the previous steps for the Blade region, selecting only wall blade.

f.

Repeat the previous steps for the Inlet region, selecting only inlet.

g.

Repeat the previous steps for the Outlet region, selecting only outlet.

h.

Repeat the steps for the Periodic 1 region, selecting periodic.33, periodic.34, and
periodic.35.
You do not need to initialize the periodic.*shadow regions; the periodic.* nodes provide the
information that the turbo reports require.

i.

Click the Instancing tab.

i.

Ensure that the # of Copies is set to 1.

ii.

Ensure that Axis Definition from File is cleared, that Method is set to Principal Axis, and
that Axis is set to Z.

iii. Set # of Passages to 20.

j.

Click Initialize. This generates variables that you will use later to create reports.

k.

Double-click Initialization at the top of the Turbo tree view. The Initialization editor appears.

l.

Click the Calculate Velocity Components button. This generates velocity variables that you will also
use in your reports.

The initialization process has created a variety of plots automatically; you will access these from the Turbo tab in
the sections that follow.

Comparing the Blade-to-Blade, Meridional, and 3D

Views
To compare the Blade-to-Blade, Meridional, and 3D Views:

In the Turbo workspace, select the Three Views option at the bottom of the Initialization editor. In the 3D
Viewer you can see the Turbo Initialization View, the Blade to Blade View, and the Meridional View.

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Comparing the Blade-to-Blade, Meridional, and 3D Views

The CFX Blade to Blade View is equivalent to the ANSYS FLUENT 2D contour on a spanwise surface. By
default, the variable shown is Pressure. To change this to velocity and to make the image more like the default
ANSYS FLUENT equivalent:
1.

In the Blade to Blade View, right-click on the colored area shown in the viewport and select Edit.

2.

In the Details view for the Blade-to-Blade Plot, change the Plot Type from Color to Contour (this changes
the continuous gradation found in Color to the discrete color bands found in Contour).

3.

Change Variable to Velocity.

4.

Change the # of Contours to 21.

5.

Click Apply.

The CFX Meridional View is equivalent to the ANSYS FLUENT "contour averaged in the circumferential direction.
To make the image more like the default ANSYS FLUENT equivalent:
1.

In the Meridional View, right-click on the colored area shown in the viewport and select Edit.

2.

In the Details view for the Meridional Plot, change the Plot Type from Color to Contour.

3.

Change the # of Contours to 21.

4.

Click Apply.

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Displaying Contours on Meridional Isosurfaces

Displaying Contours on Meridional Isosurfaces

You can display contours on meridional isosurfaces that you define. In this example you will define six meridional
isosurfaces and display the pressure distribution on each.
1.

Return to the original orientation of the case:

a.

In the Tree view, double-click Plots and select Single View.

b.

Double-click 3D View.

2.

From the menu bar select Insert > Location > Isosurface and accept the default name.

3.

Set the following values on the Details view for the isosurface:
Tab

Field

Value

Geometry

Domains

fluid

Variable

Linear BA Streamwise Location

[1 (p. 549)]

Color

Render

Value

.01

Mode

Variable

Variable

Pressure

Range

User Specified

Min

72800 [Pa]

Max

186000 [Pa]

Lighting

(clear)

Footnote
1.

Click the Variable Editor

to access this variable.

4.

Click Apply to define the isosurface.

5.

Repeat the previous steps for the following Geometry values:

.2, .4, .6, .8, and .99

Tip
To save time, right-click on Isosurface 1 in the Tree view and select Duplicate. In this way you
need change only the Geometry > Value setting. Be sure to click Apply after defining each new
isosurface.

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Displaying a 360-Degree View

Note
You can set locator variables other than Linear BA (Blade Aligned) Streamwise Location. For
example, edit Isosurface 5 and change Linear BA Streamwise Location to M Length
Normalized to see how the contour changes. The locator-variable options are described in Turbo
Charts (p. 197) in the ANSYS CFD-Post User's Guide.

Displaying a 360-Degree View

To display a 360 view of the turbomachinery:
1.

In the Outline view, right-click and select Hide All. The 3D Viewer is cleared.

2.

Under User Locations and Plots, select the check box beside Wireframe.

3.

Under Cases > turbo, double-click on fluid to edit that domain.

4.

On the Instancing tab, set # of Copies to 20.

5.

Clear Axis Definition from File and ensure that the Method is set to Principal Axis and the Axis is set to Z.

6.

Click Apply.

7.

If necessary, click the Fit View

icon so that you can see the whole case.

Calculating and Displaying Values of Variables

You can calculate the values of variables at locations in the case and display these results in a table. First, use the
Function Calculator to see how to create a function.

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Calculating and Displaying Values of Variables

1.

From the menu bar, select Tools > Function Calculator. The Calculators tab appears with the Function
Calculator displayed.

2.

Use the Function Calculator to calculate the mass flow average of pressure at the inlet as follow:
a.

Use the Function drop-down arrow to select massFlowAve.

b.

Use the Location drop-down arrow to select inlet.

c.

Use the Variable drop-down arrow to select Pressure.

d.

At the bottom of the Function Calculator select Show equivalent expression.

e.

Click Calculate and the expression and results appear:

The Function Calculator not only makes it easy to create and calculate a function, it also enables you
to see the syntax for functions, which you will use in the subsequent steps.
3.

To display functions like this in a table, click on the Table Viewer tab (at the bottom of the viewer area). The
Table Viewer appears.

4.

In the tool bar at the top of the Table Viewer, click New Table
Inlet and Outlet Values and click OK.

5.

Type the following text to make cell headings:

6.

In cell B1: Inlet

In cell C1: Outlet

In cell A2: Mass Flow

In cell A3: Average Pressure

. The New Table dialog appears. Type in

Now, create functions:

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Calculating and Displaying Values of Variables

a.

Click in cell B2, then in the Table Viewer tool bar select Function > CFD-Post > massFlow. The
definition =massFlow()@ appears.

b.

With the text cursor after the @ symbol, click Location > inlet.

c.

Press Enter; the value of the mass flow at the inlet appears.

d.

Repeat the above steps for cell C2, but use Location > outlet.

e.

For cell B3, select Function > CFD-Post > massFlowAve. With the text cursor between the parentheses,
select Variable > Pressure. With the text cursor after the @ symbol, click Location > inlet. Press Enter;
the value of the mass flow average of pressure at the inlet appears.

f.

Repeat the previous step for cell C3, but use Location > outlet.

Your table should be similar to this:

7.

Format the cells to make the table easier to read.

a.

Click in cell A1 and, while holding down Shift, click in cell C1. Now the operations you perform will
apply to A1 through C1.

b.

Click
to make the heading font bold, then click
a background color to those cells.

c.

Click in cell A2 and, while holding down Shift, click in cell A3. Click
bold, then click

d.

to center the heading text. Click

to apply

to make the row description

to right-align the text.

Manually resize the cells.

Your table should be similar to this:

8.

Click on the Report Viewer tab and then click Refresh in the Report Viewer toolbar. The table data appears
at the bottom of the report.

Note
The background color that you applied in the Table Viewer does not appear in the Report Viewer.
However, when you click Publish to create an HTML version of the report, the color will be visible
in that report.

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Displaying the Inlet to Outlet Chart

Displaying the Inlet to Outlet Chart

In CFX, displaying the Inlet to Outlet chart is equivalent to displaying averaged XY plots in ANSYS FLUENT. To
display the Inlet to Outlet chart:
1.

In the Turbo workspace's Turbo Charts area, double-click on Inlet to Outlet.

2.

Now, change the chart to compare temperature to streamwise location (the latter being called meridional
location in ANSYS FLUENT) and make the chart look more like the ANSYS FLUENT default:
a.

Set the following:

Domains

fluid

Samples/Comp 60
Y Axis
b.

Temperature

Click Apply. The chart appears:

3.

Click on the Report Viewer tab at the bottom of the viewer area.

4.

In the Report Viewer toolbar, click the Refresh button. The Inlet to Outlet Chart appears in the User Data
section of the report.

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Generating and Viewing Turbo Reports

Tip
You can also explore the other Turbo Charts:

Blade Loading

Circumferential

Hub to Shroud

Generating and Viewing Turbo Reports

Turbo reports give performance results, component data summary tables, meanline 1D charts, stage plots, and
spanwise loading charts for the blade.

Note
The Turbo report is generated from the values set when you initialized the case, so if there were any
changes required to those values, you would make them now and run the initialization procedure again.
For this tutorial, that will not be necessary.
To generate a Turbo report:
1.

Create a new variable that the report expects (which would be available with CFX results files for rotating
machinery applications, but which is not available from ANSYS FLUENT files).
a.

From the tool bar, click Variable

. The Insert Variable dialog appears.

b.

In the Name field, type Rotation Velocity and click OK. The Details view for Rotation Velocity
appears.
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Generating and Viewing Turbo Reports

c.

In the Expression field, type Radius * abs(omega) / 1 [rad] and click Apply. This expression
calculates the angular speed (in units of length per unit time) as a product of the local radius and the
rotational speed.
. This ensures that the graphics will not be truncated in the

2.

In the 3D Viewer's tool bar, click Fit View

report you are about to generate.

3.

In the Outline tree view, right-click on Report and select Report Templates. The Report Templates dialog
appears.

4.

Select an appropriate report template; in this case, Centrifugal Compressor Report. (The Centrifugal
Compressor Report is an improved version of the Centrifugal Compressor Rotor Report.)
Click Load. The Report Templates dialog disappears and you can watch the report's progress in the status
bar in the bottom-right corner of CFD-Post.

Note
A dialog appears that warns that hybrid values do not exist and that conservative values will be
used. This is expected behavior when using data loaded from ANSYS FLUENT. An error about
Mach Number in Stn Frame is also mentioned; this prevents a line in the report from appearing.
Click OK.
When the report has been generated, there are new entries in the Outline tree view under Report.
5.

Under User Locations and Plots, double-click on fluid Instance Transform. This is an instance
transform generated by the report to facilitate showing two blades in the figures that show blade-to-blade views.

6.

Ensure # of Passages is set to 20 and click Apply.

7.

Click on the Expressions tab. Double-click on the expression fluid Components in 360 to edit it. Change the
definition to 20 and click Apply.

To view the Turbo report:

1.

Click on the Report Viewer tab. The turbo report appears.

2.

Optionally, you can remove pieces from the report by clearing the appropriate check boxes in the Report
section of the Outline tree. When you have made your selections, return to the Report Viewer tab and click
Refresh (in the Report Viewer toolbar). The edited version of the turbo report appears.

3.

To produce an HTML version of the report that you can share with others, click Publish (at the top of the
viewer area). The report is saved in a file name of your choosing in your working directory (by default).

Release 12.1 - 2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contains proprietary and confidential information of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

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Release 12.1 - 2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contains proprietary and confidential information of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.