Chapter 22: Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

This tutorial is divided into the following sections:

22.1. Introduction
22.2. Prerequisites
22.3. Problem Description
22.4. Setup and Solution
22.5. Summary
22.6. Further Improvements

22.1. Introduction
This tutorial examines the flow of water and air in a tee junction. Initially you will solve the problem
using the less computationally intensive mixture model, and then turn to the more accurate Eulerian
model. The results of these two approaches can then be compared.

This tutorial demonstrates how to do the following:

• Use the mixture model with slip velocities.

• Set boundary conditions for internal flow.

• Calculate a solution using the pressure-based coupled solver with the mixture model.

• Use the Eulerian model.

• Calculate a solution using the multiphase coupled solver with the Eulerian model.

• Display the results obtained using the two approaches for comparison.

22.2. Prerequisites
This tutorial is written with the assumption that you have completed one or more of the introductory
tutorials found in this manual:

• Introduction to Using ANSYS FLUENT in ANSYS Workbench: Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in a Mixing
Elbow (p. 1)

• Parametric Analysis in ANSYS Workbench Using ANSYS FLUENT (p. 77)

• Introduction to Using ANSYS FLUENT: Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in a Mixing Elbow (p. 125)

and that you are familiar with the ANSYS FLUENT navigation pane and menu structure. Some steps in
the setup and solution procedure will not be shown explicitly.

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

22.3. Problem Description

This problem considers an air-water mixture flowing upwards in a duct and then splitting in a tee
junction. The ducts are 25 mm in width, the inlet section of the duct is 125 mm long, and the top and
the side ducts are 250 mm long. The schematic of the problem is shown in Figure 22.1: Problem Spe-
cification (p. 906).

Figure 22.1: Problem Specification

22.4. Setup and Solution

The following sections describe the setup and solution steps for this tutorial:
22.4.1. Preparation
22.4.2. Step 1: Mesh
22.4.3. Step 2: General Settings
22.4.4. Step 3: Models
22.4.5. Step 4: Materials
22.4.6. Step 5: Phases
22.4.7. Step 6: Boundary Conditions
22.4.8. Step 7: Operating Conditions
22.4.9. Step 8: Solution Using the Mixture Model
22.4.10. Step 9: Postprocessing for the Mixture Solution
22.4.11. Step 10: Setup and Solution for the Eulerian Model

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 Setup and Solution

22.4.12. Step 11: Postprocessing for the Eulerian Model

22.4.1. Preparation
To access tutorials and their input files on the ANSYS Customer Portal, go to http://support.ansys.com/
training.

To prepare for running this tutorial:

1. Set up a working folder on the computer you will be using.

2. Download the tutorial file for this tutorial.

3. Unzip mix_eulerian_multiphase.zip to your working folder.

The file tee.msh can be found in the mix_eulerian_multiphase folder created after unzipping
the file.

4. Use FLUENT Launcher to enable Double Precision and start the 2D version of ANSYS FLUENT.

FLUENT Launcher displays your Display Options preferences from the previous session.

For more information about FLUENT Launcher, see Starting ANSYS FLUENT Using FLUENT Launcher
in the User’s Guide.

5. Ensure that the Display Mesh After Reading, Embed Graphics Windows, and Workbench Color Scheme
options are enabled.

Note

The double precision solver is recommended for modeling multiphase flow simulations.

22.4.2. Step 1: Mesh

1. Read the mesh file tee.msh.

File → Read → Mesh...

As ANSYS FLUENT reads the mesh file, it will report the progress in the console.

22.4.3. Step 2: General Settings

General

1. Check the mesh.

General → Check

ANSYS FLUENT will perform various checks on the mesh and will report the progress in the console. Ensure
that the reported minimum volume is a positive number.

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

2. Examine the mesh (Figure 22.2: Mesh Display (p. 908)).

Extra

You can use the right mouse button to probe for mesh information in the graphics win-
dow. If you click the right mouse button on any node in the mesh, information will be
displayed in the ANSYS FLUENT console about the associated zone, including the name
of the zone. This feature is especially useful when you have several zones of the same
type and you want to distinguish between them quickly.

Figure 22.2: Mesh Display

3. Retain the default settings for the pressure-based solver.

General

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 Setup and Solution

22.4.4. Step 3: Models

Models

1. Select the mixture multiphase model with slip velocities.

Models → Multiphase → Edit...

a. Select Mixture in the Model list.

The Multiphase Model dialog box will expand to show the inputs for the mixture model.

b. Ensure that Slip Velocity is enabled in the Mixture Parameters group box.

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

You need to solve the slip velocity equation since there will be significant difference in velocities for
the different phases.

c. Enable Implicit Body Force in the Body Force Formulation group box.

This treatment improves solution convergence by accounting for the partial equilibrium of the pressure
gradient and body forces in the momentum equations. It is used in VOF and mixture problems, where
body forces are large in comparison to viscous and connective forces.

d. Click OK to close the Multiphase Model dialog box.

2. Select the standard -
turbulence model with standard wall functions.

Models → Viscous → Edit...

a. Select k-epsilon in the Model list.

b. Retain the default selection of Standard in the k-epsilon Model list.

The standard  -  model is quite effective in accurately resolving mixture problems when standard
wall functions are used.

c. Retain Standard Wall Functions in the Near-Wall Treatment list.

This problem does not require a particularly fine mesh, and standard wall functions will be used.

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 Setup and Solution

d. Click OK to close the Viscous Model dialog box.

22.4.5. Step 4: Materials

Materials

1. Copy the properties for liquid water from the materials database so that it can be used for the primary
phase.

Materials → Fluid → Create/Edit...

a. Click the FLUENT Database... button to open the FLUENT Database Materials dialog box.

i. Select water-liquid (h2o < l >) from the FLUENT Fluid Materials selection list.

Scroll down the list to find water-liquid (h2o < l >).

ii. Click Copy to copy the properties for liquid water to your model.

iii. Close the FLUENT Database Materials dialog box.

b. Close the Create/Edit Materials dialog box.

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22.4.6. Step 5: Phases

Phases

In the following steps you will define the liquid water and air phases that flow in the tee junction.

1. Specify liquid water as the primary phase.

Phases → phase-1 → Edit...

a. Enter water for Name.

b. Select water-liquid from the Phase Material drop-down list.

c. Click OK to close the Primary Phase dialog box.

2. Specify air as the secondary phase.

Phases → phase-2 → Edit...

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 Setup and Solution

a. Enter air for Name.

b. Retain the default selection of air from the Phase Material drop-down list.

c. Enter 0.003 for Diameter.

d. Click OK to close the Secondary Phase dialog box.

3. Check that the drag coefficient is set to be calculated using the Schiller-Naumann drag law.

Phases → Interaction...

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

a. Retain the default selection of schiller-naumann from the Drag Coefficient drop-down list.

The Schiller-Naumann drag law describes the drag between the spherical particle and the surrounding
liquid for a wide range of conditions. In this case, the bubbles have an approximately spherical shape
with a diameter of 3 mm.

b. Click OK to close the Phase Interaction dialog box.

22.4.7. Step 6: Boundary Conditions

Boundary Conditions

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 Setup and Solution

For this problem, you need to set the boundary conditions for three boundaries: the velocity inlet and the
two outflows. Since this is a mixture multiphase model, you will set the conditions at the velocity inlet that
are specific for the mixture (i.e., conditions that apply to all phases) and also conditions that are specific to
the primary and secondary phases.

1. Set the boundary conditions at the velocity inlet (velocity-inlet-4) for the mixture.

Boundary Conditions → velocity-inlet-4 → Edit...

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

a. Select Intensity and Length Scale from the Specification Method drop-down list.

b. Retain the default value of 5 for Turbulent Intensity.

c. Enter 0.025 for Turbulent Length Scale.

d. Click OK to close the Velocity Inlet dialog box.

2. Set the boundary conditions at the velocity inlet (velocity-inlet-4) for the primary phase (water).

Boundary Conditions → velocity-inlet-4

a. Select water from the Phase drop-down list.

b. Click Edit... to open the Velocity Inlet dialog box.

i. Retain the default selection of Magnitude, Normal to Boundary from the Velocity Specification
Method drop-down list.

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 Setup and Solution

ii. Retain the default selection of Absolute from the Reference Frame drop-down list.

iii. Enter 1.53
for Velocity Magnitude.

iv. Click OK to close the Velocity Inlet dialog box.

3. Set the boundary conditions at the velocity inlet (velocity-inlet-4) for the secondary phase (air).

Boundary Conditions → velocity-inlet-4

a. Select air from the Phase drop-down list.

b. Click Edit... to open the Velocity Inlet dialog box.

i. Retain the default selection of Magnitude, Normal to Boundary from the Velocity Specification
Method drop-down list.

ii. Retain the default selection of Absolute from the Reference Frame drop-down list.

iii. Enter 1.6   for Velocity Magnitude.

In multiphase flows, the volume rate of each phase is usually known. Volume rate divided by the
inlet area gives the superficial velocity, which is the product of the inlet physical velocity and the
volume fraction. When you have two phases, you must enter two physical velocities and the
volume fraction of the secondary phase. Here it is assumed that bubbles at the inlet are moving
with faster physical speed and their relative velocity with respect to water is
− = 
.

iv. Click the Multiphase tab and enter 0.005 for Volume Fraction.

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

v. Click OK to close the Velocity Inlet dialog box.

4. Set the boundary conditions at outflow-5 for the mixture.

Boundary Conditions → outflow-5

a. Select mixture from the Phase drop-down list.

b. Click Edit... to open the Outflow dialog box.

i. Enter 0.62 for Flow Rate Weighting.

ii. Click OK to close the Outflow dialog box.

5. Set the boundary conditions at outflow-3 for the mixture.

Boundary Conditions → outflow-3 → Edit...

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 Setup and Solution

a. Enter 0.38 for Flow Rate Weighting.

b. Click OK to close the Outflow dialog box.

22.4.8. Step 7: Operating Conditions

Boundary Conditions

1. Set the gravitational acceleration.

Boundary Conditions → Operating Conditions...

a. Enable Gravity.

The Operating Conditions dialog box will expand to show additional inputs.

b. Enter -9.81
 for Y in the Gravitational Acceleration group box.

c. Enable Specified Operating Density.

d. Enter 0   for Operating Density.

e. Click OK to close the Operating Conditions dialog box.

22.4.9. Step 8: Solution Using the Mixture Model

1. Set the solution parameters.

Solution Methods

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

a. Select Coupled from the Scheme drop-down list.

b. Select PRESTO! from the Pressure drop-down list.

2. Set the solution controls.

Solution Controls

a. Enter 40 for Flow Courant Number.

b. Enter 0.5 for both Momentum and Pressure in the Explicit Relaxation Factors group box.

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 Setup and Solution

c. Enter 0.4 for Volume Fraction in the Under-Relaxation Factors group box.

3. Enable the plotting of residuals during the calculation.

Monitors → Residuals → Edit...

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

a. Ensure that Plot is enabled in the Options group box.

b. Enter 1e-07 for Absolute Criteria for continuity.

c. Click OK to close the Residual Monitors dialog box.

4. Initialize the solution.

Solution Initialization

a. Select Hybrid Initialization from the Initialization Methods group box.

b. Click Initialize.

Note

For flows in complex topologies, hybrid initialization will provide better initial velocity
and pressure fields than standard initialization. This in general will help in improving
the convergence behavior of the solver.

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 Setup and Solution

5. Save the case file (tee.cas.gz).

File → Write → Case...

6. Start the calculation by requesting 1400 iterations.

Run Calculation

7. Save the case and data files (tee.cas.gz and tee.dat.gz).

File → Write → Case & Data...

8. Check the total mass flow rate for each phase.

Reports → Fluxes → Set Up...

a. Retain the default selection of Mass Flow Rate in the Options list.

b. Select water from the Phase drop-down list.

c. Select outflow-3, outflow-5, and velocity-inlet-4 from the Boundaries selection list.

d. Click Compute.

Note that the net mass flow rate is almost zero, indicating that total mass is conserved.

e. Select air from the Phase drop-down list and click Compute again.

Note that the net mass flow rate is almost zero, indicating that total mass is conserved.

f. Close the Flux Reports dialog box.

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

22.4.10. Step 9: Postprocessing for the Mixture Solution

Graphics and Animations

1. Display the static pressure field in the tee (Figure 22.3: Contours of Static Pressure (p. 925)).

Graphics and Animations → Contours → Set Up...

a. Enable Filled in the Options group box.

b. Retain the default selection of Pressure... and Static Pressure from the Contours of drop-down lists.

c. Click Display.

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 Setup and Solution

Figure 22.3: Contours of Static Pressure

2. Display contours of velocity magnitude (Figure 22.4: Contours of Velocity Magnitude (p. 926)).

Graphics and Animations → Contours → Set Up...

a. Select Velocity... and Velocity Magnitude from the Contours of drop-down lists.

b. Click Display.

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

Figure 22.4: Contours of Velocity Magnitude

3. Display the volume fraction of air (Figure 22.5: Contours of Air Volume Fraction (p. 927)).

Graphics and Animations → Contours → Set Up...

a. Select Phases... and Volume fraction from the Contours of drop-down lists.

b. Select air from the Phase drop-down list.

c. Click Display and close the Contours dialog box.

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 Setup and Solution

Figure 22.5: Contours of Air Volume Fraction

When gravity acts downwards, it induces stratification in the side arm of the tee junction. In Fig-
ure 22.5: Contours of Air Volume Fraction (p. 927), you can see that the gas (air) tends to concentrate on
the upper part of the side arm. In this case, gravity acts against inertia that tends to concentrate gas on
the low pressure side, thereby creating gas pockets. In the vertical arm, both the gas and the water have
velocities in the same direction, and therefore there is no separation. The outflow split modifies the relation
between inertia forces and gravity to a large extent, and has an important role in flow distribution and
on the gas concentration.

22.4.11. Step 10: Setup and Solution for the Eulerian Model
The mixture model is a simplification of the Eulerian model and is valid only when bubble inertia can be
neglected. This assumption can be violated in the recirculation pattern. The Eulerian model is expected to
make a more realistic prediction in this case. You will use the solution obtained using the mixture model as
an initial condition for the calculation using the Eulerian model.

1. Select the Eulerian multiphase model.

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

Models → Multiphase → Edit...

a. Select Eulerian in the Model list.

b. Click OK to close the Multiphase Model dialog box.

2. Specify the drag law to be used for computing the interphase momentum transfer.

Phases → Interaction...

a. Retain the default selection of schiller-naumann from the Drag Coefficient drop-down list.

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 Setup and Solution

b. Click OK to close the Phase Interaction dialog box.

Note

For this problem, there are no parameters to be set for the individual phases other than
those that you specified when you set up the phases for the mixture model calculation.
If you use the Eulerian model for a flow involving a granular secondary phase, you will
need to set additional parameters. There are also other options in the Phase Interaction
dialog box that may be relevant for other applications.

For details on setting up an Eulerian multiphase calculation, see Steps for Using a Multiphase Model
in the User’s Guide.

3. Select the multiphase turbulence model.

Models → Viscous → Edit...

a. Retain the default selection of Mixture in the Turbulence Multiphase Model list.

b. Click OK to close the Viscous Model dialog box.

The mixture turbulence model is applicable when phases separate, for stratified (or nearly stratified)
multiphase flows, and when the density ratio between phases is close to 1. In these cases, using

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

mixture properties and mixture velocities is sufficient to capture important features of the turbulent
flow.

For more information on turbulence models for the Eulerian multiphase model, see Modeling
Multiphase Flows in the User’s Guide.

4. Change the solution parameters.

Solution Methods

a. Select Coupled from the Scheme drop-down list.

5. Change the solution controls.

Solution Controls

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 Setup and Solution

a. Enter 40 for Flow Courant Number.

b. Enter 0.2 for Momentum and 0.5 for Pressure in the Explicit Relaxation Factors group box.

c. Enter 0.2 for Volume Fraction in the Under-Relaxation Factors group box.

6. Continue the solution by requesting 1400 additional iterations.

Run Calculation

7. Check that the mass imbalance is small (less than about 0.2 %) using the Flux Reports dialog box
as for the Mixture model solution.

Reports → Fluxes → Set Up...

8. Save the case and data files (tee2.cas.gz and tee2.dat.gz).

File → Write → Case & Data...

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

22.4.12. Step 11: Postprocessing for the Eulerian Model

Graphics and Animations

1. Display the static pressure field in the tee for the mixture (Figure 22.6: Contours of Static Pressure (p. 933)).

Graphics and Animations → Contours → Set Up...

a. Select Pressure... from the Contours of drop-down list.

By default, Dynamic Pressure will be displayed in the lower Contours of drop-down list. This will
automatically change to Static Pressure after you select the appropriate phase in the next step.

b. Select mixture from the Phase drop-down list.

The lower Contours of drop-down list will now display Static Pressure.

c. Click Display.

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 Setup and Solution

Figure 22.6: Contours of Static Pressure

2. Display contours of velocity magnitude for water (Figure 22.7: Contours of Water Velocity Mag-
nitude (p. 934)).

Graphics and Animations → Contours → Set Up...

a. Select Velocity... and Velocity Magnitude from the Contours of drop-down lists.

b. Retain the selection of water from the Phase drop-down list.

Since the Eulerian model solves individual momentum equations for each phase, you can choose the
phase for which solution data is plotted.

c. Click Display.

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Figure 22.7: Contours of Water Velocity Magnitude

3. Display the volume fraction of air (Figure 22.8: Contours of Air Volume Fraction (p. 935)).

Graphics and Animations → Contours → Set Up...

a. Select Phases... and Volume fraction from the Contours of drop-down lists.

b. Select air from the Phase drop-down list.

c. Click Display and close the Contours dialog box.

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 Further Improvements

Figure 22.8: Contours of Air Volume Fraction

22.5. Summary
This tutorial demonstrated how to set up and solve a multiphase problem using the mixture model and
the Eulerian model. You learned how to set boundary conditions for the mixture and both phases. The
solution obtained with the mixture model was used as a starting point for the calculation with the Eu-
lerian model. After completing calculations for each model, you displayed the results to allow for a
comparison of the two approaches. For more information about the mixture and Eulerian models, see
Modeling Multiphase Flows in the User’s Guide.

22.6. Further Improvements

This tutorial guides you through the steps to reach an initial set of solutions. You may be able to obtain
a more accurate solution by using an appropriate higher-order discretization scheme and by adapting
the mesh. Mesh adaption can also ensure that the solution is independent of the mesh. These steps

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Using the Mixture and Eulerian Multiphase Models

are demonstrated in Introduction to Using ANSYS FLUENT: Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in a Mixing
Elbow (p. 125).

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