Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes

FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005

www.fluentusers.com

Introduction to CFD Analysis

2-1 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

What is CFD?

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is the science of predicting
fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, chemical reactions, and related
phenomena by solving numerically the set of governing mathematical
equations.
 Conservation of mass, momentum, energy, species, ...

The results of CFD analyses are relevant in:
 conceptual studies of new designs
 detailed product development
 troubleshooting
 redesign

CFD analysis complements testing and experimentation.
 Reduces the total effort required in the experiment design and data
acquisition

2-2 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

How does CFD work?

FLUENT solvers are based on the Fluid region of
finite volume method. pipe flow is
discretized into a
 Domain is discretized into a control
finite set of
finite set of control volumes volume
control volumes
or cells. (mesh).
 General conservation (transport) equation
for mass, momentum, energy, etc.: Eqn. φ
continuity 1
∂
ρφdV + ∫ ρφV ⋅ dA = ∫ Γ∇φ ⋅ dA + ∫ Sφ dV
∂t V∫
x-mom. u
A A V y-mom. v
unsteady convection diffusion generation energy h
Partial differential equations are discretized into a system of algebraic
equations.
 All algebraic equations are then solved numerically to render the solution field.

2-3 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

CFD Modeling Overview

Solver

Equations solved on mesh

Pre-Processing

Transport Equations
Physical Models

Solid
Mesh  mass
 Turbulence
Modeler Generator  species mass fraction
 phasic volume fraction
 Combustion
 momentum  Radiation
 energy  Multiphase

Equation of State  Phase Change

Supporting Physical Models  Moving Zones

Solver
 Moving Mesh
Settings

Material Properties

Boundary Conditions

Post-Processing

Initial Conditions

2-4 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

CFD Analysis: Basic Steps

Problem Identification and Pre-Processing

1. Define your modeling goals.
2. Identify the domain you will model.
3. Design and create the grid.

Solver Execution
4. Set up the numerical model.
5. Compute and monitor the solution.

Post-Processing
6. Examine the results.
7. Consider revisions to the model.

2-5 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Define Your Modeling Goals

Problem Identification and Pre-Processing
1. Define your modeling goals.
2. Identify the domain you will model.
3. Design and create the grid.

What results are you looking for, and how will they be used?
 What are your modeling options?
 What physical models will need to be included in your analysis?
 What simplifying assumptions do you have to make?
 What simplifying assumptions can you make?
 Do you require a unique modeling capability?
 User-defined functions (written in C) in FLUENT 6
 User-defined subroutines (written in FORTRAN) in FLUENT 4.5

What degree of accuracy is required?

How quickly do you need the results?

2-6 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Identify the Domain You Will Model

Problem Identification and Pre-Processing Gas
1. Define your modeling goals.
2. Identify the domain you will model.
Cyclone
3. Design and create the grid
Riser

How will you isolate a piece of the

complete physical system?

Where will the computational domain begin
and end?
 Do you have boundary condition
information at these boundaries?
 Can the boundary condition types
accommodate that information?
 Can you extend the domain to a point where
reasonable data exists? L-valve

Can it be simplified or approximated as a
2D or axisymmetric problem? Gas Example: Cyclone Separator

2-7 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Design and Create the Grid

Problem Identification and Pre-Processing
Can you benefit from Mixsim, Icepak, or Airpak?
1. Define your modeling goals.
2. Identify the domain you will model.
Can you use a quad/hex grid or should you
3. Design and create the grid.
use a tri/tet grid or hybrid grid?
 How complex is the geometry and flow?
 Will you need a non-conformal interface?

What degree of grid resolution is required in
triangle quadrilateral each region of the domain?
 Is the resolution sufficient for the geometry?
 Can you predict regions with high gradients?
 Will you use adaption to add resolution?
tetrahedron hexahedron

Do you have sufficient computer memory?
 How many cells are required?
 How many models will be used?

pyramid prism/wedge
2-8 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Tri/Tet vs. Quad/Hex Meshes

For simple geometries, quad/hex
meshes can provide higher-quality
solutions with fewer cells than a
comparable tri/tet mesh.
 Align the gridlines with the flow.

For complex geometries, quad/hex

meshes show no numerical
advantage, and you can save meshing
effort by using a tri/tet mesh.

2-9 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Hybrid Mesh Example

Valve port grid
tet mesh
 Specific regions can be
meshed with different
cell types. hex mesh
 Both efficiency and
accuracy are enhanced
relative to a hexahedral
or tetrahedral mesh
alone.
 Tools for hybrid mesh
generation are available
in Gambit and TGrid. wedge mesh

Hybrid mesh for an

IC engine valve port

2-10 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Non-Conformal Mesh Example

Nonconformal mesh: mesh in which grid nodes do not match up along an
interface.
 Useful for ‘parts-swapping’ for design study, etc.
 Helpful for meshing complex geometries.

Example:
 3D Film Cooling Problem
 Coolant is injected into a duct
from a plenum
 Plenum is meshed with
tetrahedral cells.
 Duct is meshed with
hexahedral cells.

Plenum part can be replaced with new

geometry with reduced meshing effort.

2-11 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Set Up the Numerical Model

Solver Execution
4. Set up the numerical model.
For a given problem, you will need to:
5. Compute and monitor the solution.
 Select appropriate physical models.
 Turbulence, combustion, multiphase, etc.
 Define material properties.
 Fluid
 Solid
 Mixture
 Prescribe operating conditions.
Solving initially in 2D will
provide valuable experience  Prescribe boundary conditions at all
with the models and solver boundary zones.
settings for your problem in a  Provide an initial solution.
short amount of time.  Set up solver controls.
 Set up convergence monitors.

2-12 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Compute the Solution

Solver Execution



The discretized conservation equations are
4. Set up the numerical model.
5. Compute and monitor the solution. solved iteratively.
 A number of iterations are usually required to
reach a converged solution.

Convergence is reached when:
 Changes in solution variables from one iteration
to the next are negligible.
 Residuals provide a mechanism to help
A converged and grid- monitor this trend.
independent solution on a  Overall property conservation is achieved.
well-posed problem will

The accuracy of a converged solution is
provide useful engineering
results! dependent upon:
 Appropriateness and accuracy of physical models.
 Grid resolution and independence
 Problem setup

2-13 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Examine the Results

Post-Processing
6. Examine the results.
Examine the results to review solution and
7. Consider revisions to the model. extract useful data.
 Visualization Tools can be used to answer
such questions as:
 What is the overall flow pattern?
 Is there separation?
 Where do shocks, shear layers, etc. form?
 Are key flow features being resolved?
Examine results to ensure  Numerical Reporting Tools can be used to
property conservation and calculate quantitative results:
correct physical behavior.  Forces and Moments
High residuals may be
 Average heat transfer coefficients
attributable to only a few
cells of poor quality.  Surface and Volume integrated quantities
 Flux Balances

2-14 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Consider Revisions to the Model

Post-Processing
Are physical models appropriate?
6. Examine the results.
 Is flow turbulent?
7. Consider revisions to the model.
 Is flow unsteady?
 Are there compressibility effects?
 Are there 3D effects?

Are boundary conditions correct?
 Is the computational domain large enough?
 Are boundary conditions appropriate?
 Are boundary values reasonable?

Is grid adequate?
 Can grid be adapted to improve results?
 Does solution change significantly with
adaption, or is the solution grid independent?
 Does boundary resolution need to be improved?

2-15 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Solver Basics

3-1 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Solver Execution

Solver Execution:
 Menu is laid out such that order of
operation is generally left to right.
 Import and scale mesh file.

 Select physical models.

 Define material properties.

 Prescribe operating conditions.

 Prescribe boundary conditions.

 Provide an initial solution.

 Set solver controls.

 Set up convergence monitors.

 Compute and monitor solution.

 Post-Processing
 Feedback into Solver

 Engineering Analysis

3-2 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Inputs to the Solver

GUI commands have a corresponding TUI command.

 Advanced commands are only available through TUI.
 ‘Enter’ displays command set at current level.
 ‘q’ moves up one level.

Journal/Transcript write capability.

3-3 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Mouse Functionality

Mouse button functionality depends on solver and can be configured in
the solver.
Display → Mouse Buttons...

Default Settings:
 2D Solver
 Left button translates (dolly)
 Middle button zooms
 Right button selects/probes
 3D Solver
 Left button rotates about 2-axes
 Middle button zooms
 Middle click on point in screen centers point in window
 Right button selects/probes

Retrieve detailed flow field information at point with Probe enabled.
 Right click on grid display.

3-4 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Reading Mesh: Mesh Components

node

Components are defined in cell
preprocessor center
 Cell = control volume into which domain is face
broken up
 computational domain is defined by mesh
that represents the fluid and solid regions of cell
interest.
Simple 2D mesh
 Face = boundary of a cell
 Edge = boundary of a face
 Node = grid point
 Zone = grouping of nodes, faces, and/or cells
 Boundary data assigned to face zones. node
 Material data and source terms assigned to
cell zones. edge
cell
face
Simple 3D mesh

3-5 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Reading Mesh: Zones

orifice
(interior)
orifice_plate and
outlet
orifice_plate-shadow

wall
inlet
Fluid (cell zone)

Example: Face and cell zones Default-interior is

associated with Pipe Flow zone of internal cell
through orifice plate. faces (not used).

3-6 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Scaling Mesh and Units

All physical dimensions initially assumed to be in meters.

 Scale grid accordingly.

Other quantities can also be scaled
independent of other units used.
 Fluent defaults to SI units.

3-7 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Models in Fluent 6 (1)

Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer
 Momentum, continuity, energy equations
 Radiation models

Turbulence
 RANS-based models
including Spalart-Allmaras
k-ε, k-ω, and RSM
 LES and DES

Species Transport

Volumetric Reactions Pressure contours in near ground flight

 Arrhenius finite-rate chemistry

 Turbulent fast chemistry
 Eddy Dissipation, non-Premixed,
premixed, partially premixed
 Turbulent finite-rate chemistry
 EDC, laminar flamelet, composition
PDF transport

Surface Reactions Temperature contours for kiln burner retrofitting.

3-8 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Models in Fluent 6 (2)

Inlet Gas outlet

Multiphase Flows
 Discrete Phase Model (DPM)
 Volume of Fluid (VOF) model for
immiscible fluids
Contours of oil volume fraction Water outlet Oil outlet
 Mixture Model
in three phase separator.
 Eulerian-Eulerian and Eulerian-
Granular Models
 Liquid/Solid and Cavitation Phase Change Models

Flows involving Moving Parts
 Moving zones
 Single/Multiple Rotating Reference Frames
 Mixing Plane Model
 Sliding Mesh Model
 Moving and Deforming (dynamic) Mesh
Pressure contours for squirrel cage blower.

User-Defined Scalar Transport Equations
3-9 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Material Types and Property Definition

Physical models may require inclusion of additional materials and dictates which properties need
to be defined.

Material properties defined in Materials Panel:
 Single-Phase, Single Species Flows
 Define fluid/solid properties
 Real gas model (NIST’s REFPROP 7.0 or
user-defined C-function library)
 Multiple Species (Single Phase) Flows
 Mixture Material concept employed
 Mixture properties (composition dependent)
defined separately from constituent’s properties
 Constituent properties must be defined
 PDF Mixture Material concept
 PDF lookup table used for mixture properties.
– Transport properties for mixture defined
separately
 Constituent properties extracted from database.
 Multiphase Flows (Single Species)
 Define properties for all fluids and solids

3-10 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Fluid Density
Define → Materials...

For ρ = constant, incompressible flow:
 Select constant for density

For variable density, incompressible flows:
 ρ = poperating/RT
 Use incompressible-ideal-gas for density
 Set poperating close to the mean pressure in the problem

For compressible flow:
 ρ = pabsolute/RT
 use ideal-gas for density
 For low-Mach-number flows, set poperating close to
mean pressure of the problem to avoid round-off errors
 Use Floating Operating Pressure for unsteady flows with
large, gradual changes in absolute pressure (segregated solver only).

Density can also be defined as a function of temperature:
 polynomial or piecewise-polynomial
 Boussinesq model to be discussed in heat transfer lecture

For compressible liquids, density variation is specified by a user-defined
density function
3-11 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Custom Material Database

Custom material database:
 Create a new custom database of
material properties and reaction
mechanisms from materials in an
existing case file for re-use in
different cases
 Custom databases can be created,
accessed and modified from the
standard materials panel in
FLUENT 6.2

3-12 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Material Assignment

Materials are assigned to cell zone where
assignment method depends upon models
selected:
 Single-Phase, Single Species Flows
 Assign material to fluid zone(s) in
Fluid Panel (within DefineB.C.)
 Multiple Species (Single Phase) Flows
 Assign mixture material to fluid zones in
DefineSpecies Panel or in Pre-PDF.
 All fluid zones consist of the ‘mixture’
 Multiphase (Single Species) Flows
 Primary and secondary phases selected
in Define Phases Panel.
 All fluid zones consist of the ‘mixture’

3-13 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Solver Execution: Other Lectures...

Physical models discussed on Day 2.

3-14 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Post-Processing

Many post-processing tools are available.

Post-Processing functions typically operate on surfaces
 Surfaces are automatically created from zones
 Additional surfaces can be created by users

Example: an Iso-Surface of a
constant grid coordinate can be
created for viewing data within a
plane.

3-15 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Post-Processing: Node Values

Fluent calculates field variable data
at cell centers.

Node values of the grid are either:
 calculated as the average of
neighboring cell data, or,
 defined explicitly (when available)
with boundary condition data.

Node values on surfaces are
interpolated from grid node data.

data files store:
 data at cell centers
 node value data for primitive
variables at boundary nodes.

Enable Node Values to interpolate
field data to nodes.

3-16 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Reports

Flux Reports
 Net flux is calculated.
 Total Heat Transfer Rate
includes radiation.

Surface Integrals
 slightly less accurate on
user-generated surfaces due
to interpolation error.

Volume Integrals

Examples:

3-17 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Solver Enhancements: Grid Adaption

Grid adaption adds more cells where needed to
resolve the flow field without pre-processor.

Fluent adapts on cells listed in register.
 Registers can be defined based on:
 Gradients of flow or user-defined variables
 Iso-values of flow or user-defined variables
 All cells on a boundary
 All cells in a region
 Cell volumes or volume changes
 y+ in cells adjacent to walls
 To assist adaption process, you can:
 Combine adaption registers
 Draw contours of adaption function
 Display cells marked for adaption
 Limit adaption based on cell size
and number of cells:

3-18 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Adaption Example: 2D Planar Shell

Adapt grid in regions of high pressure gradient to better resolve pressure
jump across the shock.

2D planar shell - initial grid 2D planar shell - contours of pressure

initial grid

3-19 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Adaption Example: Final Grid and Solution

2D planar shell - final grid 2D planar shell - contours of pressure

final grid

3-20 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Solver Enhancements: Parallel Solver

With 2 or more processes,
Fluent can be run on
multiple processors.

Can run on a dedicated,
multiprocessor machine,
or a network of machines.

Mesh can be partitioned
manually or
automatically.

Some models not yet
ported to parallel solver.
 See release notes.

Partitioned grid for multi-element airfoil.

3-21 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Boundary Conditions

4-1 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Defining Boundary Conditions

To define a problem that results in a unique solution, you must specify
information on the dependent (flow) variables at the domain
boundaries
 Specifying fluxes of mass, momentum, energy, etc. into domain.

Defining boundary conditions involves:
 identifying the location of the boundaries (e.g., inlets, walls, symmetry)
 supplying information at the boundaries

The data required at a boundary depends upon the boundary condition
type and the physical models employed.

You must be aware of the information that is required of the boundary
condition and locate the boundaries where the information on the flow
variables are known or can be reasonably approximated
 Poorly defined boundary conditions can have a significant impact on your
solution

4-2 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Locating Boundaries: Example

Air

Three possible approaches in
locating inlet boundaries: 1
Combustor Wall
 1. Upstream of manifold
 Can use uniform profile 2
3
 Properly accounts for mixing
 Non-premixed reaction
models
 Requires more cells
 2. Nozzle inlet plane
 Non-premixed reaction
models
Nozzle
 Requires accurate profile data
1
 3. Nozzle outlet plane Manifold
 Premixed reaction model box
Fuel
 Requires accurate profile

4-3 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

General Guidelines
Upper pressure boundary modified to ensure that
flow always enters domain.

General guidelines:
 If possible, select boundary
location and shape such that flow
either goes in or out.
 Not necessary, but will typically
observe better convergence.
 Should not observe large
gradients in direction normal to
boundary.
 Indicates incorrect set-up.
 Minimize grid skewness near the
boundary.
 Otherwise it would introduce 1 2
error early in calculation.

4-4 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Available Boundary Condition Types

Boundary Condition Types of External
Faces:
 General: Pressure inlet, pressure outlet
 Incompressible: Velocity inlet, outflow interior
 Compressible flows: Mass flow inlet,
pressure far-field, mass flow outlet outlet
 Special: Inlet vent, outlet vent, intake fan,
exhaust fan inlet
 Other: Wall, symmetry, axis, periodic wall

Boundary Condition Types of cell zones:
 Fluid, solid, porous media and heat exchanger orifice_plate
models and orifice_plate-shadow

Boundary Condition Types of double-sided
internal faces
 Fan, interior, porous Jump, radiator, walls
4-5 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Changing Boundary Condition Types

Zones and zone types are initially defined in

pre-processor.

To change zone type for a particular zone:
Define → Boundary Conditions...
 Choose the zone in Zone list.
 Can also select boundary zone using right
mouse button in Display Grid window.
 Select new zone type in Type list.

4-6 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Setting Boundary Condition Data

Explicitly assign data in BC panels.
 To set boundary conditions for particular zone:
 Choose the zone in Zone list.
 Click Set... button
 Boundary condition data can be copied from
one zone to another.

Boundary condition data can be stored and
retrieved from file.
 file → write-bc and file → read-bc

Boundary conditions can also be defined by
UDFs and Profiles.

Profiles can be generated by:
 Writing a profile from another CFD simulation
 Creating an appropriately formatted text file
with boundary condition data.
4-7 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Velocity Inlet

Specify Velocity by:
 Magnitude, Normal to Boundary
 Components
 Magnitude and Direction

Velocity profile is uniform by default

Intended for incompressible flows.
 Static pressure adjusts to accommodate
prescribed velocity distribution.
 Total (stagnation) properties of flow also varies.
 Using in compressible flows can lead to non-physical results.

Can be used as an outlet by specifying negative velocity.
 You must ensure that mass conservation is satisfied if multiple inlets are used.

4-8 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Pressure Inlet (1)

Specify:
 Total Gauge Pressure
 Defines energy to drive flow.
 Doubles as back pressure (static gauge)
for cases where back flow occurs.
 Direction of back flow determined
from interior solution.
 Static Gauge Pressure
 Static pressure where flow is locally
supersonic; ignored if subsonic
 Will be used if flow field is initialized From 1-D Compressible flow
from this boundary. relationship:
 Total Temperature k − 1 2 k /( k −1)
ptotal , abs = pstatic ,abs (1 + M )
 Used as static temperature for 2
incompressible flow. k −1 2
Ttotal = Tstatic (1 + M )
 Inlet Flow Direction 2
1 2
Incompressible flows: ptotal = pstatic + ρv
2

4-9 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Pressure Inlet (2)

Note: Gauge pressure inputs are required.
 p absolute = p gauge + p operating
 Operating pressure level sometimes may affect solution accuracy (when
pressure fluctuations are relatively small).
 Operating pressure input is set under: Define → Operating Conditions

Suitable for compressible and incompressible flows.
 Pressure inlet boundary is treated as loss-free transition from stagnation to
inlet conditions.
 Fluent calculates static pressure and velocity at inlet
 Mass flux through boundary varies depending on interior solution and
specified flow direction.

Can be used as a “free” boundary in an external or unconfined flow.

4-10 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Mass Flow Inlet

Specify:
 (a) Mass Flow Rate or (b) Mass Flux
 (a) implies uniform mass flux
 (b) can be defined by profiles/UDF
 Static Gauge Pressure
 Static pressure where flow is locally
supersonic; ignored if subsonic
 Will be used if flow field is initialized from this boundary.
 Total Temperature
 Used as static temperature for incompressible flow.
 Inlet Flow Direction

Intended for compressible; can be used for incompressible flows.
 Total pressure adjusts to accommodate mass flow inputs.
 More difficult to converge than with pressure inlet.

4-11 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Pressure Outlet

Specify static gauge pressure
 Interpreted as static pressure of
environment into which flow exhausts.
 Radial equilibrium pressure
distribution option available
 Doubles as inlet pressure (total gauge)
for cases where backflow occurs

Backflow
 Can occur at pressure outlet during iterations
or as part of final solution.
 Backflow direction can be normal to the
boundary, set by direction vector or from neighboring cell .
 Backflow boundary data must be set for all transport variables.
 Convergence difficulties are reduced by providing realistic backflow quantities

Suitable for compressible and incompressible flows
 Specified pressure is ignored if flow is locally supersonic at the outlet

Can be used as a “free” boundary in an external or unconfined flow

For ideal gas (compressible) flow, non-reflecting outlet boundary conditions (NRBC) are
available

4-12 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Outflow

No pressure or velocity information is required.
 Data at exit plane is extrapolated from interior.
 Mass balance correction is applied at boundary.

Flow exiting Outflow boundary exhibits zero
normal diffusive flux for all flow variables.
 Appropriate where the exit flow is “fully-developed.”

Intended for incompressible flows:
 Cannot be used with a Pressure-Inlet boundary: must use Velocity-Inlet BC at
the inlet.
 Combination does not uniquely set pressure gradient over whole domain.
 Cannot be used for unsteady flows with variable density.

Poor rate of convergence when back flow occurs during iteration.
 Cannot be used if back flow is expected in final solution.

4-13 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Modeling Multiple Exits

Flows with multiple exits can be modeled using Pressure Outlet or
Outflow boundaries.
 Pressure Outlets
pressure-outlet
velocity-inlet (v,T0) (ps)1
or
pressure-inlet (p0,T0)
pressure-outlet
(ps)2

 Outflow:
 Mass flow rate fraction determined from Flow Rate Weighting by:

 mi=FRWi/ΣFRWi where 0 < FRW < 1.

 FRW set to 1 by default
implying equal flow rates FRW1
 static pressure varies among velocity
exits to accommodate flow inlet
distribution. FRW2

4-14 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Other Inlet/Outlet Boundary Conditions

Pressure Far Field
 Available when density is calculated from the ideal gas law

 Used to model free-stream compressible flow at infinity, with free-stream

Mach number and static conditions specified.

Target Mass Flow Rate (not available for the multiphase models) for Pressure
Outlet
 Specify mass flow rate for an outlet (constant or via UDF hook)
 Options to choose iteration method in TUI

Exhaust Fan/Outlet Vent
 Model external exhaust fan/outlet vent with specified pressure jump/loss
coefficient and ambient (discharge) pressure and temperature.

Inlet Vent/Intake Fan
 Model inlet vent/external intake fan with specified loss coefficient/ pressure
jump, flow direction, and ambient (inlet) pressure and temperature

Inlet boundary conditions for large-eddy/detached-eddy simulations are covered in
the Turbulence Modeling lecture

4-15 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Wall Boundaries

Used to bound fluid and solid regions.

In viscous flows, no-slip condition
enforced at walls:
 Tangential fluid velocity equal
to wall velocity.
 Normal velocity component = 0
 Shear stress can also be specified.

Thermal boundary conditions:
 several types available
 Wall material and thickness can be defined for 1-D or shell conduction heat transfer
calculations.

Wall roughness can be defined for turbulent flows.
 Wall shear stress and heat transfer based on local flow field.

Translational or rotational velocity can be assigned to wall boundaries.

4-16 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Symmetry and Axis Boundaries

Symmetry Boundary
 Used to reduce computational effort in problem.
 No inputs required.
 Flow field and geometry must be symmetric:
 Zero normal velocity at symmetry plane
 Zero normal gradients of all variables at symmetry plane
 Must take care to correctly define symmetry boundary
locations.
 Can be used to model slip walls in
viscous flow

Axis Boundary
 Used at centerline for symmetry
axisymmetric problems. planes
 No user inputs required.

4-17 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Periodic Boundaries

Used to reduce computational effort in
problem.

Flow field and geometry must be either
translationally or rotationally periodic.

For rotationally periodic boundaries:
 ∆p = 0 across periodic planes. Rotationally
 Axis of rotation must be defined in fluid periodic planes
zone.

For translationally periodic boundaries:
 ∆p can be finite across periodic planes.
 Models fully developed conditions. flow
 Specify either mean ∆p per period Translationally
or net mass flow rate. periodic planes
 Periodic boundaries defined in
Gambit are translational.
2D tube heat exchanger
4-18 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Cell Zones: Fluid

A fluid cell zone is a group of cells
for which all active equations are
solved

Fluid material selection is required
 For multi-species or multiphase flows,
the material is not shown, but fluid
zone consists of the mixture
or the phases

Optional inputs allow setting
of source terms:
 mass, momentum, energy, etc.

Define fluid zone as laminar flow
region if modeling transitional flow

Can define zone as porous media

Define axis of rotation for rotationally periodic flows

Can define motion for fluid zone

4-19 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Porous Media Conditions

Porous zone modeled as special type of fluid zone.
 Enable Porous Zone option in Fluid panel.
 Pressure loss in flow determined via user inputs
of resistance coefficients to lumped parameter
model

Used to model flow through porous media
and other “distributed” resistances, e.g.,
 Packed beds
 Filter papers
 Perforated plates
 Flow distributors
 Tube banks

4-20 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Cell Zones: Solid

“Solid” zone = group of cells for which only
heat conduction problem solved
 No flow equations solved
 Material being treated as solid may actually
be fluid, but it is assumed that no convection
takes place.

Only required input is the material name
defined in the materials (solid) panel

Optional inputs allow you to set volumetric
heat generation rate (heat source).

Need to specify rotation axis if rotationally
periodic boundaries adjacent to solid zone.

Can define motion for solid zone

4-21 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Internal Face Boundaries

Defined on the cell faces only:
 Thickness of these internal faces is zero
 These internal faces provide means of introducing step changes in flow
properties.

Used to implement various physical models including:
 Fans
 Radiators
 Porous-jump models
 Preferable over porous media for its better convergence behavior.
 Interior walls

4-22 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Summary

Zones are used to assign boundary conditions.

Wide range of boundary conditions permit flow to enter and exit the
solution domain.

Wall boundary conditions are used to bound fluid and solid regions.

Periodic boundaries are used to reduce computational effort.

Internal cell zones are used to specify fluid, solid, and porous regions
and heat-exchanger models.

Internal face boundaries provide way to introduce step-changes in flow
properties.

4-23 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Solver Settings

5-1 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Outline

Using the Solver
 Setting Solver Parameters
 Convergence
 Definition

 Monitoring

 Stability

 Accelerating Convergence

 Accuracy
 Grid Independence

 Grid Adaption

 Unsteady Flows Modeling

 Unsteady-flow problem setup

 Non-iterative Transient Advancement (NITA) schemes

 Unsteady flow modeling options

 Summary
 Appendix

5-2 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Outline

Using the Solver (solution procedure overview)
 Setting Solver Parameters
 Convergence
 Definition

 Monitoring

 Stability

 Accelerating Convergence

 Accuracy
 Grid Independence

 Grid Adaption

 Unsteady Flows Modeling

 Unsteady-flow problem setup

 Non-iterative Transient Advancement (NITA) schemes

 Unsteady flow modeling options

 Summary
 Appendix

5-3 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Solution Procedure Overview

Solution Parameters Set the solution parameters
 Choosing the Solver
 Discretization Schemes Initialize the solution

Initialization

Convergence Enable the solution monitors of interest
 Monitoring Convergence
 Stability Calculate a solution
 Setting Under-relaxation Modify solution
parameters or grid
 Setting Courant number
Check for convergence
 Accelerating Convergence
No

Accuracy Yes
 Grid Independence Check for accuracy

 Adaption No
Yes
Stop

5-4 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Choosing a Solver

Choices are Coupled-Implicit, Coupled-Explicit, or Segregated (Implicit)

The coupled solvers are recommended if a strong inter-dependence exists between density,
energy, momentum, and/or species
 e.g., high speed compressible flow or finite-rate reaction flows
 In general, the coupled-implicit solver is recommended over the coupled-explicit solver
 Time required: Implicit solver runs roughly twice as fast

 Memory required: Implicit solver requires roughly twice as much memory as coupled-
explicit or segregated solvers!
 Improved pre-conditioning in Fluent v6.2 for the coupled-implicit solver enhances
accuracy and robustness for low-Mach number flows
 The coupled-explicit solver should only be used for unsteady flows when the characteristic
time scale of problem is on same order as that of the acoustics
 e.g., tracking transient shock wave

The segregated (implicit) solver is preferred in all other cases.

 Lower memory requirements than coupled-implicit solver
 Segregated approach provides flexibility in solution procedure

5-5 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Discretization (Interpolation Methods)

Field variables (stored at cell centers) must be interpolated to the faces of the control volumes
in the FVM:
( ρφ )t + ∆t − ( ρφ )t
∆t
∆V + ∑ρ φ V
faces
f f f Af = ∑ Γ ( ∇φ )
faces
f ⊥, f Af + Sφ ∆V

Interpolation schemes for the convection term:

 First-Order Upwind Scheme
 easiest to converge, only first-order accurate

 Power Law Scheme

 more accurate than first-order for flows when Recell< 5 (typ. low Re flows)

 Second-Order Upwind Scheme

 uses larger ‘stencils’ for 2nd order accuracy, essential with tri/tet mesh or when flow is
not aligned with grid; convergence may be slower
 MUSCL
 Locally third-order convection discretization scheme for unstructured meshes

 Based on blending of CD and SOU. More accurate in predicting secondary flows,

vortices, forces, etc.
 Quadratic Upwind Interpolation (QUICK)
 applies to quad/hex and hybrid meshes (not applied to tri mesh), useful for
rotating/swirling flows, 3rd-order accurate on uniform mesh

5-6 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Interpolation Methods for Face Pressure

Interpolation schemes for calculating cell-face pressures when using the segregated
solver in FLUENT are available as follows:
 Standard
 default scheme; reduced accuracy for flows exhibiting large surface-normal
pressure gradients near boundaries (but should not be used when steep pressure
changes are present in the flow - PRESTO! scheme should be used )
 Linear
 use when other options result in convergence difficulties or unphysical
behavior.
 Second-Order
 use for compressible flows; not to be used with porous media, jump, fans, etc.
or VOF/Mixture multiphase models.
 Body Force Weighted
 use when body forces are large, e.g., high Ra natural convection or highly
swirling flows.
 PRESTO!
 use for highly swirling flows, flows involving steep pressure gradients (porous
media, fan model, etc.), or in strongly curved domains.

5-7 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Pressure-Velocity Coupling

Pressure-Velocity Coupling refers to the numerical algorithm which

uses a combination of continuity and momentum equations to derive
an equation for pressure (or pressure correction) when using the
segregated solver

Three algorithms available in FLUENT:
 SIMPLE
 default scheme, robust
 SIMPLEC
 Allows faster convergence for simple problems (e.g., laminar flows with
no physical models employed).
 PISO
 useful for unsteady flow problems or for meshes containing cells with
higher than average skewness

5-8 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Initialization

Iterative procedure requires that all solution variables be initialized before
calculating a solution.
Solve → Initialize → Initialize...
 Realistic ‘guesses’ improves solution stability and accelerates convergence.
 In some cases, correct initial guess is required:
 Example: high temperature region to initiate chemical reaction.

“Patch” values for individual
variables in certain regions.
Solve → Initialize → Patch...
 Free jet flows
(patch high velocity for jet)
 Combustion problems
(patch high temperature
for ignition)
 Cell registers (created by marking
the cells in the Adaption panel) can
be used for “patching” different values
in cell zones

5-9 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Outline

Using the Solver
 Setting Solver Parameters
 Convergence
 Definition

 Monitoring

 Stability

 Accelerating Convergence

 Accuracy
 Grid Independence

 Grid Adaption

 Unsteady Flows Modeling

 Unsteady-flow problem setup

 Non-iterative Transient Advancement (NITA) schemes

 Unsteady flow modeling options

 Summary
 Appendix

5-10 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Convergence

At convergence:
 All discrete conservation equations (momentum, energy, etc.) are
obeyed in all cells to a specified tolerance.
 Solution no longer changes with more iterations.
 Overall mass, momentum, energy, and scalar balances are achieved.

Monitoring convergence with residuals’ history:
 Generally, a decrease in residuals by 3 orders of magnitude indicates at
least qualitative convergence.
 Major flow features established.
 Scaled energy residual must decrease to 10-6 for segregated solver.
 Scaled species residual may need to decrease to 10-5 to achieve species
balance.

Monitoring quantitative convergence:
 Monitor other relevant key variables/physical quantities for a
confirmation.
 Ensure that property conservation is satisfied.

5-11 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Convergence Monitors: Residuals

Residual plots show when the residual values have reached the
specified tolerance.
Solve → Monitors → Residual...

All equations converged.

10-3

10-6

5-12 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Convergence Monitors: Forces/Surfaces

In addition to residuals, you can also monitor:
 Lift, drag, or moment
Solve → Monitors → Force...
 Pertinent variables or functions (e.g., surface
integrals) at a boundary or any defined surface:
Solve → Monitors → Surface...

5-13 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Checking for Property Conservation

In addition to monitoring residual and variable histories, you should
also check for overall heat and mass balances.
 At a minimum, the net imbalance should be less than 1% of smallest flux
through domain boundary.
Report → Fluxes...

5-14 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Tightening the Convergence Tolerance

If your monitors indicate that the solution is converged, but the
solution is still changing or has a large mass/heat imbalance, this
clearly indicates the solution is not yet converged. You need to:
 Tighten the Convergence Criterion
or disable Check Convergence in
“residual monitors” panel
 Then iterate until solution
converges

5-15 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Convergence Difficulties

Numerical instabilities can arise with an ill-posed problem, poor
quality mesh, and/or inappropriate solver settings.
 Exhibited as increasing (diverging) or “stuck” residuals.
 Diverging residuals imply increasing imbalance in conservation equations.
 Unconverged results are very misleading!

Troubleshooting:
Continuity equation convergence
 Ensure the problem is well posed. trouble affects convergence of
 Compute an initial solution with all equations.
a first-order discretization scheme.
 Decrease under-relaxation for
equations having convergence
trouble (segregated solver).
 Reduce Courant number (coupled
solver).
 Re-mesh or refine cells with high
aspect ratio or highly skewed cells.

5-16 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Modifying Under-relaxation Factors

Under-relaxation factor, α, is φ p = φ p ,old + α∆φ p
included to stabilize the iterative
process for the segregated solver

Use default under-relaxation factors
to start a calculation
Solve → Controls → Solution...

Decreasing under-relaxation for
momentum often aids convergence.
 Default settings are aggressive but
suitable for wide range of problems
 ‘Appropriate’ settings best learned
from experience

For coupled solvers, under-relaxation factors for equations outside coupled
set are modified as in segregated solver

5-17 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Modifying the Courant Number

Courant number defines a ‘time
step’ size for steady-state problems.
 A transient term is included in the
coupled solver even for steady state
problems

For coupled-explicit solver:
 Stability constraints impose a
maximum limit on Courant number.
 Cannot be greater than 2
 Default value is 1
 Reduce Courant number when
having difficulty converging
(CFL)∆x

For coupled-implicit solver: ∆t =
u
 Courant number is not limited by stability constraints.
 Default is set to 5

5-18 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Accelerating Convergence

Convergence can be accelerated by:
 Supplying good initial conditions
 Starting from a previous solution
 Increasing under-relaxation factors or Courant number
 Excessively high values can lead to instabilities
 Recommend saving case and data files before continuing iterations.
 Controlling multigrid solver settings
 Default settings define robust Multigrid solver and typically do not need
to be changed

5-19 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Starting from a Previous Solution

Previous solution can be used as an initial condition when changes are made to
problem definition.
 Use FileInterpolate to initialize a run (especially useful for starting the fine-mesh cases
when coarse-mesh solutions are available).
 Once initialized, additional iterations always use current data set as the starting point.
 Some suggestions on how to provide initial conditions for some actual problems:

A c tu a l P r o b le m In itia l C o n d itio n

flo w w ith h e a t tra n sfe r iso th e rm a l so lu tio n

n a tu ra l c o n v e c tio n lo w e r R a so lu tio n

c o m b u stio n c o ld flo w so lu tio n

tu rb u le n t flo w E u le r so lu tio n

5-20 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Multigrid Solver

The Multigrid solver accelerates convergence by solving the discretized
equations on multiple levels of mesh densities so that the “low-frequency” errors
of the approximate solution can be efficiently eliminated
 Influence of boundaries and far-away points are more easily transmitted to
interior of coarse mesh than on fine mesh.
 Coarse mesh defined from original mesh fine (original) mesh
 Multiple coarse mesh ‘levels’ can be created.
 Algebraic Multigrid (AMG): ‘coarse mesh’
emulated algebraically.
 Full Approx. Storage Multigrid (FAS):
‘cell coalescing’ defines new grid. ‘solution
– a coupled-explicit solver option transfer’
 Final solution is for original mesh
 Multigrid solver operates automatically in the background

Consult FLUENT User’s Guide for additional options
and technical details
coarse mesh

5-21 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Outline

Using the Solver
 Setting Solver Parameters
 Convergence
 Definition

 Monitoring

 Stability

 Accelerating Convergence

 Accuracy
 Grid Independence

 Grid Adaption

 Unsteady Flows Modeling

 Unsteady-flow problem setup

 Non-iterative Transient Advancement (NITA) schemes

 Unsteady flow modeling options

 Summary
 Appendix

5-22 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Solution Accuracy

A converged solution is not necessarily a correct one!
 Always inspect and evaluate the solution by using available data,
physical principles and so on.
 Use the second-order upwind discretization scheme for final results.
 Ensure that solution is grid-independent:
 Use adaption to modify the grid or create additional meshes for the
grid-independence study

If flow features do not seem reasonable:
 Reconsider physical models and boundary conditions
 Examine mesh quality and possibly re-mesh the problem
 Reconsider the choice of the boundaries’ location (or the domain):
inadequate choice of domain (especially the outlet boundary) can
significantly impact solution accuracy

5-23 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Mesh Quality and Solution Accuracy

Numerical errors are associated with calculation of cell gradients and cell
face interpolations.

Ways to contain the numerical errors:
 Use higher-order discretization schemes (second-order upwind, MUSCL)
 Attempt to align grid with the flow to minimize the “false diffusion”
 Refine the mesh
 Sufficient mesh density is necessary to resolve salient features of flow
 Interpolation errors decrease with decreasing cell size
 Minimize variations in cell size in non-uniform meshes
 Truncation error is minimized in a uniform mesh
 FLUENT provides capability to adapt mesh based on cell size variation
 Minimize cell skewness and aspect ratio
 In general, avoid aspect ratios higher than 5:1 (but higher ratios are allowed
in boundary layers)
 Optimal quad/hex cells have bounded angles of 90 degrees
 Optimal tri/tet cells are equilateral

5-24 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Determining Grid Independence

When solution no longer changes with further grid refinement, you have a “grid-
independent” solution.

Procedure:
 Obtain new grid:
 Adapt
 Save original mesh before adaption.
– If you know where large gradients are expected, you need to have fine grids in the
original mesh for that region, e.g., boundary layers.
 Adapt grid.
– Data from original grid is automatically interpolated to finer grid.
– FLUENT offers dynamic mesh adaption which automatically changes the mesh
according to the criteria set by users
 Continue calculation till convergence.
 Compare results obtained w/different grids.
 Repeat the procedure if necessary

Different meshes on a single problem: Use TUI commands /file/write-bc and /file/read-bc to
facilitate the set up of a new problem; better initialization can be obtained via
interpolation from existing case/data by using
 File → Interpolate...

5-25 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Outline

Using the Solver
 Setting Solver Parameters
 Convergence
 Definition

 Monitoring

 Stability

 Accelerating Convergence

 Accuracy
 Grid Independence

 Grid Adaption

 Unsteady Flows Modeling

 Unsteady-flow problem setup

 Non-iterative Transient Advancement (NITA) schemes

 Unsteady flow modeling options

 Summary
 Appendix

5-26 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Unsteady Flow Modeling

Transient solutions are available with both segregated and coupled solvers.
 Solver iterates to convergence within each time level,
then advances to the next (the Iterative Time Advancement
(ITA) scheme)
 Solution initialization defines initial condition
and it must be realistic

For segregated solver:
 Time step size, ∆t, is set in “Iterate” panel
 ∆t must be small enough to resolve time
dependent features; make sure the convergence
is reached within the “Max iterations per time step”
 The time-step size’s order of magnitude
can be estimated as:

 Time-step size estimate can also be chosen so that the unsteady

characteristics of the flow can be resolved (e.g., flow with a known
period of fluctuations)
 To iterate without advancing time step, use ‘0’ time steps
 PISO scheme may aid in accelerating convergence for unsteady flows
5-27 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

NITA Schemes for the Segregated Solver

Overall time-discretization error
for 2nd-order scheme: Truncation error: Splitting error (due to eqn
= O(∆t2)
+
segregation): O(∆tn)
O(∆t2)

Non-iterative time advancement (NITA) schemes reduce the splitting error to O(∆t2)
by using sub-iterations (not the more expensive outer iterations to eliminate the
splitting errors used in ITA) per time step

NITA runs about twice as fast as ITA scheme

Two flavors of NITA schemes available in Fluent v6.2:
 PISO (NITA/PISO)
 Energy and turbulence equations are still loosely coupled

 Fractional-step method (NITA/FSM)

 About 20% cheaper than NITA/PISO on a per time-step basis

NITA schemes have a wide range of applications for unsteady simulations: e.g.,
incompressible, compressible (subsonic, transonic), turbomachinery flows, etc.

NITA schemes are not available for multiphase (except VOF), reacting flows, porous
media, and fan models, etc. Consult Fluent User’s Guide for additional details.
5-28 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

NITA Solution Control and Monitoring

Sub-iterations are performed for discretized
equations till the Correction Tolerance is
met or the number of sub-iterations has
reached the Max Corrections

Algebraic multigrid (AMG) cycles are
performed for each sub-iteration. AMG
cycles terminate if the default AMG
criterion is met or the Residual Tolerance
is sastisfied for the last sub-iteration

Relaxation Factor is used for solutions
between each sub-iteration

5-29 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Unsteady Flow Modeling Options

Adaptive Time Stepping
 Automatically adjusts time-step size based
on local truncation error analysis
 Customization possible via UDF

Time-averaged statistics may be acquired.

 Particularly useful for LES turbulence
modeling

If desirable, animations should be set up before
iterating (for flow visualization)

For the Coupled Solver, Courant number
defines:
 the global time-step size for coupled
explicit solver
 the pseudo time-step size for coupled
implicit solver
 Real time-step size must still be defined
in the Iteration panel

5-30 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Summary

Solution procedure for the segregated and coupled solvers is the same:
 Calculate until you get a converged solution
 Obtain second-order solution (recommended)
 Refine grid and recalculate until grid-independent solution is obtained

All solvers provide tools for judging and improving convergence and
ensuring stability

All solvers provide tools for checking and improving accuracy

Solution accuracy will depend on the appropriateness of the physical
models that you choose and the boundary conditions that you specify.

5-31 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

5-32 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Appendix

Background
 Finite Volume Method
 Explicit vs. Implicit
 Segregated vs. Coupled
 Transient Solutions
 Flow Diagrams of NITA and ITA Schemes

5-33 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Background: Finite Volume Method - 1

FLUENT solvers are based on the finite volume method.
 Domain is discretized into a finite set of control volumes or cells.

General transport equation for mass, momentum, energy, etc. is

applied to each cell and discretized. For cell p,
∂
ρφdV + ∫ ρφV ⋅ dA = ∫ Γ∇φ ⋅ dA + ∫ Sφ dV
∂t V∫ A A ∀

unsteady convection diffusion generation control

volume
Eqn. φ
continuity 1
x-mom. u Fluid region of pipe flow
y-mom. v discretized into finite set of
energy h control volumes (mesh).

All equations are solved to render flow field.

5-34 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Background: Finite Volume Method - 2

Each transport equation is discretized into algebraic form. For cell p,
( ρφ p )t + ∆t − ( ρφ p )t face f
∆t
∆V + ∑ ρ f φ f V f Af =
faces
∑ Γf (∇φ )⊥, f Af + Sφ ∆V
faces
cell p
adjacent cells, nb

Discretized equations require information at cell centers and faces.

 Field data (material properties, velocities, etc.) are stored at cell centers.
 Face values are interpolated in terms of local and adjacent cell values.
 Discretization accuracy depends upon ‘stencil’ size.

The discretized equation can be expressed simply as:
a pφ p + ∑ anbφnb = bp
nb

 Equation is written out for every control volume in domain resulting in an

equation set.

5-35 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Background: Linearization

Equation sets are solved iteratively.
 Coefficients ap and anb are typically functions a pφ p + ∑ anbφnb = bp
of solution variables (nonlinear and coupled). nb

 Coefficients are written to use values of solution variables from previous

iteration.
 Linearization: removing coefficients’ dependencies on φ.

 De-coupling: removing coefficients’ dependencies on other solution

variables.
 Coefficients are updated with each outer iteration.
 For a given inner iteration, coefficients are constant (frozen).
 φp can either be solved explicitly or implicitly.

5-36 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Background: Explicit vs. Implicit

Assumptions are made about the knowledge of φnb:

 Explicit linearization - unknown value in each cell computed from relations
that include only existing values (φnb assumed known from previous
iteration).
 φp solved explicitly using Runge-Kutta scheme.

 Implicit linearization - φp and φnb are assumed unknown and are solved
using linear equation techniques.
 Equations that are implicitly linearized tend to have less restrictive stability
requirements.
 The equation set is solved simultaneously using a second iterative loop (e.g.,
point Gauss-Seidel).

5-37 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Background: Coupled vs. Segregated

Segregated Solver
 If the only unknowns in a given equation are assumed to be for a single
variable, then the equation set can be solved without regard for the
solution of other variables.
coefficients ap and anb are scalars.
a pφ p + ∑ anbφnb = bp


Coupled Solver nb

 If more than one variable is unknown in each equation, and each

variable is defined by its own transport equation, then the equation set is
coupled together.
 coefficients ap and anb are Neqx Neq matrices
 φ is a vector of the dependent variables, {p, u, v, w, T, Y}T

5-38 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Background: Segregated Solver

In the segregated solver, each equation is

Update properties.
solved separately.

The continuity equation takes the form Solve momentum equations (u, v, w velocity).

of a pressure correction equation as part

Solve pressure-correction (continuity) equation.
of SIMPLE algorithm. Update pressure, face mass flow rate.

Under-relaxation factors are included in

Solve energy, species, turbulence, and other
the discretized equations. scalar equations.
 Included to improve stability of iterative
process. Converged?
Yes
 Under-relaxation factor, α, in effect, No
Stop
limits change in variable from one
iteration to next:
φ p = φ p ,old + α∆φ p

5-39 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Background: Coupled Solver

Continuity, momentum, energy, and
Update properties.
species are solved simultaneously in the
coupled solver. Solve continuity, momentum, energy,
and species equations simultaneously.

Equations are modified to resolve
compressible and incompressible flow. Solve turbulence and other scalar equations.

Transient term is always included.
Converged?
 Steady-state solution is formed as time
increases and transients tend to zero. No Yes

For steady-state problem, ‘time step’ is Stop

defined by Courant number.

 Stability issues limit maximum time step
size for explicit solver but not for
implicit solver.
(CFL)∆x CFL = Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy-number
∆t = where u = appropriate velocity scale
u ∆x = grid spacing

5-40 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Background: Coupled/Transient Terms

Coupled solver equations always contain a transient term.

Equations solved using the unsteady coupled solver may contain two transient terms:
 Pseudo-time term, ∆τ.
 Physical-time term, ∆t.

Pseudo-time term is driven to near zero at each time step and for steady flows.

Flow chart indicates which time step size inputs are required.
 Courant number defines ∆τ
 Inputs to Iterate panel define ∆t.

Coupled Solver Discretization of:

Implicit Explicit ⇐ pseudo-time

Steady Unsteady Steady Unsteady

∆τ ∆τ

Implicit Implicit Explicit ⇐ physical-time

∆τ, ∆t ∆τ, ∆t ∆τ
(global time step)

5-41 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

NITA versus ITA

NITA scheme ITA scheme

5-42 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Heat Transfer Modeling

Headlamp modeled with

Discrete Ordinates
Radiation Model

7-1 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Outline

Introduction

Conjugate Heat Transfer

Natural Convection

Radiation

Periodic Heat Transfer

7-2 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Introduction

Energy transport equation:
∂
∂t
( )  
(ρE ) + ∇ ⋅ V (ρE + p ) = ∇ ⋅  keff ∇T − ∑ h j J j + (τ eff ⋅V )  + S h
 j 
 Energy source due to chemical reaction is included for reacting flows.
 Energy source due to species diffusion included for multiple species flows.
 Always included in coupled solver; can be disabled in segregated solver.
 Energy source due to viscous heating:
 Describes thermal energy created by viscous shear in the flow.
 Important when shear stress in fluid is large (e.g., lubrication) and/or in high-
velocity, compressible flows.
 Often negligible
 not included by default for segregated solver; always included for coupled solver.
 In solid regions, simple conduction equation solved.
 Convective term can also be included for moving solids.

7-3 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Conjugate Heat Transfer

Ability to compute conduction of heat through solids, coupled with
convective heat transfer in fluid.

Coupled Boundary Condition:
 available to wall zone that
separates two cell zones. Grid

Velocity vectors

Temperature contours

Example: Cooling flow over fuel rods

7-4 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Natural Convection - Introduction

Natural convection occurs
when heat is added to fluid
and fluid density varies
with temperature.

Flow is induced by force of
gravity acting on density
variation.

When gravity term is
included, pressure gradient
and body force term in the
momentum equation are re-written as:
∂p ∂p '
− + ρg ⇒ − + ( ρ − ρo ) g
∂x ∂x
• This format avoids potential roundoff error
where p ' = p − ρo gx when gravitational body force term is included.

7-5 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Natural Convection – the Boussinesq Model

Boussinesq model assumes the fluid density is uniform
 Except for the body force term in the momentum equation along the
direction of gravity, we have:
( ρ − ρ 0 ) g = − ρ 0 β ( T − T0 ) g
 Valid when density variations are small (i.e., small variations in T).

It provides faster convergence for many natural-convection flows than by
using fluid density as function of temperature.
 Constant density assumptions reduces non-linearity.
 Suitable when density variations are small.
 Cannot be used together with species transport or reacting flows.

Natural convection problems inside closed domains:
 For steady-state solver, Boussinesq model must be used.
 The constant density, ρo, properly specifies the mass of the domain.
 For unsteady solver, Boussinesq model or ideal-gas law can be used.
 Initial conditions define mass in the domain.

7-6 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

User Inputs for Natural Convection

1. Set gravitational acceleration.
Define → Operating Conditions...
2. Define density model.
 If using Boussinesq model:
 Select Boussinesq as the Density method
and assign constant value, ρo.
Define → Materials...
 Set Thermal Expansion Coefficient, β.
 Set Operating Temperature, To.
 If using temperature dependent model,
(e.g., ideal gas or polynomial):
 Specify Operating Density or,
 Allow Fluent to calculate ρo from a cell
average (default, every iteration).

7-7 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Radiation
Radiation effects should be accounted for when Qrad = σ (Tmax − Tmin ) is of equal or
4 4


greater magnitude than that of convective and conductive heat transfer rates.

To account for radiation, radiative intensity transport equations (RTEs) are solved.
 Local absorption by fluid and at boundaries links RTEs with energy equation.

Radiation intensity, I(r,s), is directionally and spatially dependent.

Intensity, I(r,s), along any direction can be modified by:
 Local absorption
 Out-scattering (scattering away from the direction)
 Local emission
 In-scattering (scattering into the direction)

Five radiation models are provided:
 Discrete Ordinates Model (DOM)
 Discrete Transfer Radiation Model (DTRM)
 P-1 Radiation Model
 Rosseland Model
 Surface-to-Surface (S2S)

7-8 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Discrete Ordinates Model

The radiative transfer equation is solved for a discrete number of finite
solid angles, si:
4π
∂I s i 2 σT
4
σ
+ (a + σ s )I ( r , s ) = an + s ∫ I ( r , s ' )Φ ( s ⋅ s ' )dΩ'
∂xi π 4π 0

Advantages: absorption emission scattering

 Conservative method leads to heat balance for coarse discretization.
 Accuracy can be increased by using a finer discretization.
 Most comprehensive radiation model:
 Accounts for scattering, semi-transparent media, specular surfaces, and
wavelength-dependent transmission using banded-gray option.

Limitations:
 Solving a problem with a large number of ordinates is CPU-intensive.

7-9 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Discrete Transfer Radiation Model (DTRM)

Main assumption: radiation leaving surface element in a specific range of solid
angles can be approximated by a single ray.

Uses ray-tracing technique to integrate radiant intensity along each ray:

Advantages:
 Relatively simple model.
 Can increase accuracy by increasing number of rays.
 Applies to wide range of optical thicknesses.

Limitations:
 Assumes all surfaces are diffuse.
 Effect of scattering not included.
 Solving a problem with a large number of rays is CPU-intensive.

7-10 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

P-1 Model

Main assumption: Directional dependence in RTE is integrated out,
resulting in a diffusion equation for incident radiation.

Advantages:
 Radiative transfer equation easy to solve with little CPU demand.
 Includes effect of scattering.
 Effects of particles, droplets, and soot can be included.
 Works reasonably well for combustion applications where optical
thickness is large.

Limitations:
 Assumes all surfaces are diffuse.
 May result in loss of accuracy, depending on complexity of geometry, if
optical thickness is small.
 Tends to overpredict radiative fluxes from localized heat sources or sinks.

7-11 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Surface-to-Surface Radiation Model

The S2S radiation model can be used for modeling enclosure radiative
transfer without participating media.
 e.g., spacecraft heat rejection system, solar collector systems, radiative space
heaters, and automotive underhood cooling
 View-factor based model
 Non-participating media is assumed.

Limitations:
 The S2S model assumes that all surfaces are diffuse.
 The implementation assumes gray radiation.
 Storage and memory requirements increase very rapidly as the number of
surface faces increases.
 Memory requirements can be reduced by using clusters of surface faces.
 Clustering does not work with sliding meshes or hanging nodes.
 Not to be used with periodic or symmetry boundary conditions.
 Cannot be used for models with multiple enclosures geometry.
7-12 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Solar Load Model

Solar load model
 Ray tracing algorithm for solar radiant
energy transport: Compatible with all
radiation models
 Available with parallel solver (but ray
tracing algorithm is not parallelized)
 3D only

Specifications
 Sun direction vector
 Solar intensity (direct, diffuse)
 Solar calculator for calculating direction
and direct intensity using theoretical
maximum or “fair weather conditions”
 Transient cases
 When direction vector is specified
with solar calculator, sun direction
vector will change accordingly in
transient simulation
 Specify “time steps per solar load
update”
7-13 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Choosing a Radiation Model

For certain problems, one radiation model may be more
appropriate in general.
Define → Models → Radiation...
 Computational effort: P-1 gives reasonable accuracy with
less effort.
 Accuracy: DTRM and DOM more accurate.
 Optical thickness: DTRM/DOM for optically thin media
(optical thickness << 1); P-1 better for optically thick media.
 Scattering: P-1 and DOM account for scattering.
 Particulate effects: P-1 and DOM account for radiation exchange between gas
and particulates.
 Localized heat sources: DTRM/DOM with sufficiently large number of rays/
ordinates is more appropriate.

7-14 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Periodic Heat Transfer (1)

Also known as streamwise-periodic or fully-developed flow.

Used when flow and heat transfer patterns are repeated, e.g.,
 Compact heat exchangers
 Flow across tube banks

Geometry and boundary conditions repeat in the streamwise direction.

inflow outflow

Outflow at one periodic boundary

is inflow at the other

7-15 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Periodic Heat Transfer (2)

Temperature (and pressure) vary in the streamwise direction.

Scaled temperature (and periodic pressure) is same at periodic
boundaries.

For fixed wall temperature problems, scaled temperature defined as:

T − Twall
θ=
Tb − Twall
Tb = suitably defined bulk temperature

Can also model flows with specified wall heat flux.

7-16 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Periodic Heat Transfer (3)

Periodic heat transfer is subject to the following constraints:
 Either constant temperature or fixed flux bounds.
 Conducting regions cannot straddle periodic plane.
 Thermodynamic and transport properties cannot be functions of
temperature.
 Viscous heating and volumetric heat sources cannot be used with constant
wall temperature boundary conditions.

Contours of Scaled Temperature

7-17 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Summary

Heat transfer modeling is available in all Fluent solvers.

After activating heat transfer, you must provide:
 Thermal conditions at walls and flow boundaries
 Fluid properties for energy equation

Available heat transfer modeling options include:
 Species diffusion heat source
 Combustion heat source
 Conjugate heat transfer
 Natural convection
 Radiation
 Periodic heat transfer

7-18 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Modeling Turbulent Flows

6-1 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

What is Turbulence?

Unsteady, irregular (aperiodic) motion in which transported quantities
(mass, momentum, scalar species) fluctuate in time and space
 Identifiable swirling patterns characterize turbulent eddies.

 Enhanced mixing (matter, momentum, energy, etc.) results

Fluid properties and velocity exhibit random variations

 Statistical averaging results in accountable, turbulence related transport
mechanisms.
 This characteristic allows for Turbulence Modeling.

Contains a wide range of turbulent eddy sizes (scales spectrum).

 The size/velocity of large eddies is on the order of mean flow.

 Large eddies derive energy from the mean flow

 Energy is transferred from larger eddies to smaller eddies

 In the smallest eddies, turbulent energy is converted to internal

energy by viscous dissipation.

6-2 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Is the Flow Turbulent?

External Flows ρUL
where Re L ≡
µ
Rex ≥ 5×10 5 along a surface
L = x, D, Dh, etc.
ReD ≥ 20,000 around an obstacle
Other factors such as free-stream
turbulence, surface conditions, and
Internal Flows disturbances may cause earlier
transition to turbulent flow.
ReDh ≥ 2,300

Natural Convection
where

is the Rayleigh number

6-3 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Two Examples of Turbulent Flow

Smaller Structures Larger Structures

6-4 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Overview of Computational Approaches

Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS)
 Theoretically all turbulent flows can be simulated by numerically solving the
full Navier-Stokes equations.
 Resolves the whole spectrum of scales. No modeling is required.

 But the cost is too prohibitive! Not practical for industrial flows - DNS is not
available in Fluent.

Large Eddy Simulation (LES)
 Solves the spatially averaged N-S equations. Large eddies are directly
resolved, but eddies smaller than the mesh sizes are modeled.
 Less expensive than DNS, but the amount of computational resources and
efforts are still too large for most practical applications.

Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) Equations Models
 Solve ensemble-averaged Navier-Stokes equations

 All turbulence scales are modeled in RANS.

 The most widely used approach for calculating industrial flows.

There is not yet a single turbulence model that can reliably predict all
turbulent flows found in industrial applications with sufficient accuracy.
6-5 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Turbulence Scales and Prediction Methods

energy cascade
(Richardson, 1922)

6-6 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Turbulence Models in Fluent

Zero-Equation Models
One-Equation Models RANS-based
Spalart-Allmaras models
Two-Equation Models
Standard k-ε
RNG k-ε Increase in
Realizable k-ε Computational
Standard k-ωω Cost
ω
SST k-ω Per Iteration
Available
V2F Model in FLUENT 6.2
Reynolds-Stress Model
Detached Eddy Simulation
Large-Eddy Simulation

Direct Numerical Simulation

6-7 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Large Eddy Simulation (LES)

∂ui ∂ui u j 1 ∂p ∂  ∂ui 
ν 
N-S equation + =− +
∂t ∂x j ρ ∂xi ∂x j  ∂x 
 j  Filter; ∆
u(x, t ) = u (x, t ) + u′(x, t )
123 123
resolved scale subgrid scale
Sub-grid scale (SGS)
turbulent stress
∂ui ∂ui u j 1 ∂p ∂  ∂ui  ∂τ ij
Filtered N-S + =− + ν − τ ij ≡ ui u j − ui u j
equation ∂t ∂x j ρ ∂xi ∂x j  ∂x  ∂x
 j  j

Spectrum of turbulent eddies in the Navier-Stokes equations is filtered:

 The filter is a function of grid size
 Eddies smaller than the grid size are removed and modeled by a sub-grid
scale (SGS) model
 Larger eddies are directly solved numerically by the filtered transient N-S
equation

6-8 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

LES in FLUENT

LES has been most successful for high-end applications where the RANS models
fail to meet the needs. For example:
 Combustion

 Mixing

 External Aerodynamics (flows around bluff bodies)

Implementations in FLUENT:
 Sub-grid scale (SGS) turbulent models:

 Smagorinsky-Lilly model
 WALE model
 Dynamic Smagorinsky-Lilly model
 Dynamic kinetic energy transport model
 Detached eddy simulation (DES) model

LES is applicable to all combustion models in FLUENT

Basic statistical tools are available: Time averaged and root-mean-square (RMS)
values of solution variables, built-in FFT

Before running LES, one should consult guidelines in the “Best Practices For
LES” (containing advice for mesh, SGS models, numerics, BC’s, and more)

6-9 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Detached Eddy Simulation (DES)

Motivation
 For high-Re wall bounded flows, LES becomes prohibitively expensive to
resolve the near-wall region
 Using RANS in near-wall regions would significantly mitigate the mesh
resolution requirement

RANS/LES hybrid model based on the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence
model:
Dν~  ν~  1  ∂  ∂ν~  
2

(µ + ρν )
~~ ~
= Cb1S ν − Cw1 f w   +   + ...
Dt  d σ  ∂x j
ν 
~  ∂x j  

d = min (d w , C DES ∆ )

 One-equation SGS turbulence model

 In equilibrium, it reduces to an algebraic model.

DES is a practical alternative to LES for high-Reynolds number flows in
external aerodynamic applications

6-10 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

RANS Modeling: Ensemble-Averaging

Ensemble averaging may be used to extract the mean flow properties from the
instantaneous ones:
N
U i ( x , t ) = lim (xr, t )
r 1 (n )
N →∞ N
∑ ui
n =1

ui ( x , t ) = U i ( x , t ) + ui′( x , t )
r r r
U

Mean fluctuation

The Reynolds-averaged momentum equations are as follows:

 ∂U i ∂U i  ∂p ∂  ∂ U i  ∂ R ij
ρ  +Uk  = − + µ +
 ∂x  ∂x
 ∂t ∂xk  ∂xi ∂x j  j  j

where Rij = − ρ ui′u ′j is called the Reynolds stresses. The Reynolds stresses are
additional unknowns introduced by the averaging procedure, hence they must be
modeled (related to the averaged flow quantities) in order to close the equations.

6-11 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

The Closure Problem

The RANS models can be closed in one of the following ways:
(1) Eddy-Viscosity Models (EVM):
 ∂U i ∂U j  2 ∂U k 2
Rij = − ρ ui u j = µ t
′ ′  +  − µt δ ij − ρkδ ij
 ∂x 
 j ∂xi  3 ∂xk 3

Boussinesq hypothesis – Reynolds stresses are modeled using an eddy (or

turbulent) viscosity µt . (The hypothesis is reasonable for simple turbulent
shear flows: boundary layers, round jets, mixing layers, channel flows, etc.)
(2) Reynolds-Stress Models (RSM): solving transport equations for the
individual Reynolds stresses:
 Modeling is still required for many terms in the transport equations.

 RSM is more advantageous in complex 3-D turbulent flows with large

streamline curvature and swirl, but the model is more complex,
computationally intensive, more difficult to converge than eddy-
viscosity models.
6-12 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Calculating µt for the Eddy-Viscosity Models

Based on dimensional analysis, µt can be determined from a turbulence
time scale (or velocity scale) and a length scale:
 is the turbulent kinetic energy [L2/T2]
 is the turbulence dissipation rate [L2/T3]
 is the specific dissipation rate [1/T]

µt is calculated differently under various turbulence models:
 Spalart-Allmaras:
 This one-equation model solves only one transport
equation for a modified turbulent viscosity.
 Standard k-ε, RNG k-ε, Realizable k-ε
 These two-equation models solve transport
equations for k and ε.
 Standard k-ω, SST k-ω
 These two-equation models solve transport
equations for k and ω.

6-13 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

RANS Models - Spalart-Allmaras Model

A low-cost model solving an equation for the modified eddy viscosity ν~

Eddy-viscosity is obtained from

µ t = ρ ν~ f v1 ,
(
f v1 ≡ ~ 3
ν~ / ν )3
(ν /ν ) + Cv31

The variation of ν~ very near the wall is easier to resolve than k and ε.

Mainly intended for aerodynamic/turbo-machinery applications with mild
separation, such as supersonic/transonic flows over airfoils, boundary-
layer flows, etc.

6-14 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

RANS Models - Standard k-ε (SΚΕ) Model

Transport equations for k and ε:
∂   ∂k 
D
(ρ k ) =  µ + µ t   + Gk − ρε
Dt ∂x j  σk  ∂x j 
 µt  ∂ε  ε ε2
D
(ρ ε ) = ∂  µ +   + Ce1 Gk − ρ Cε 2
Dt ∂x j  σε  ∂x j  k k

where C µ = 0.09, Cε 1 = 1.44, Cε 2 = 1.92, σ k = 1.0, σ ε = 1.3

The most widely-used engineering turbulence model for industrial
applications

Robust and reasonably accurate; it has many sub-models for
compressibility, buoyancy, and combustion, etc.

Performs poorly for flows with strong separation, large streamline
curvature, and high pressure gradient.

6-15 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

RANS Models - Realizable k-ε (RΚΕ)

ΚΕ) Model

Realizable k-ε (RKE) model ensures “realizability” of the k-ε model, i.e.,
 Positivity of normal stresses
 Schwarz’ inequality for Reynolds shear-stresses

Good performance for flows with axisymmetric jets.

RANS Models - RNG k-ε Model

Constants in the k-ε equations are derived using the Renormalization
Group method.

RNG’s sub-models include:
 Differential viscosity model to account for low-Re effects
 Analytically derived algebraic formula for turbulent Prandtl/Schmidt number
 Swirl modification

Performs better than SKE for more complex shear flows, and flows with
high strain rates, swirl, and separation.
6-16 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

RANS Models - k-ω Models

k
µt = α * ρ specific dissipation rate: ω
ω
Dk ∂U i ∂  µt  ∂k 
ρ = τ ij − ρ β * f β * kω +  µ +  
Dt ∂x j ∂x j  σk ∂
 j 
x
ε 1
ω ≈ ∝
ρ
Dω ω ∂U i
= α τ ij − ρ β fβ ω 2 +
∂ 
 µ +
µt  ∂ω 
 
k τ
Dt k ∂x j ∂x j  σω ∂
 j 
x

Belongs to the general 2-equation EVM family. Fluent 6 supports the standard k-ω
model by Wilcox (1998), and Menter’s SST k-ω model (1994).

k-ω models have gained popularity mainly because:
 Can be integrated to the wall without using any damping functions

 Accurate and robust for a wide range of boundary layer flows with pressure
gradient

Most widely adopted in the aerospace and turbo-machinery communities.

Several sub-models/options of k-ω : compressibility effects, transitional flows and
shear-flow corrections.

6-17 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

RANS-Models - Reynolds-Stress Model (RSM)

∂
∂t
( ′ ′ )
ρ ui u j +
∂
∂xk
( )
ρ U k ui′u ′j = Pij + Fij + DijT + Φ ij − ε ij

Turbulent diffusion Dissipation

Stress-production
Pressure strain
Rotation-production
Modeling required for these terms

Attempts to address the deficiencies of the EVM.

RSM is the most ‘physically sound’ model: anisotropy, history effects and transport of
Reynolds stresses are directly accounted for.

RSM requires substantially more modeling for the governing equations (the pressure-
strain is most critical and difficult one among them).

But RSM is more costly and difficult to converge than the 2-equation models.

Most suitable for complex 3-D flows with strong streamline curvature, swirl and
rotation.

6-18 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Near-Wall Treatments:
The Structure of Near-Wall Flows

The structure of turbulent boundary layers in the near-wall region:

6-19 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Wall Boundary Conditions

Accurate near-wall modeling is important:
 Successful prediction of frictional drag, pressure drop, separation, etc., depends
on the fidelity of local wall shear predictions.
 Near-wall modeling is used to supply boundary conditions for turbulent flows.

Most k-ε and RSM turbulence models are not valid in the near-wall region:
u+ y+
 Special near-wall treatment is
required to provide proper BC’s:
 Standard wall functions
 Non-Equilibrium wall functions
 Enhanced wall treatment

S-A, k-ω models are capable
of resolving the steep
near-wall profiles - provided
the mesh is sufficiently fine.

6-20 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Near-Wall Modeling Options

In general, wall functions are a collection or set of laws that serve as boundary
conditions for momentum, energy, and species as well as for turbulence
quantities.

Wall Function Options
 The Standard and Non-equilibrium Wall Functions
(SWF and NWF) use the law of the wall to supply
boundary conditions for turbulent flows.
 The near-wall mesh can be relatively coarse.
 For equilibrium boundary layers and full-developed flows where log-law is valid.

Enhanced Wall Treatment Option
 Combines the use of blended law-of-the wall and a
outer layer
two-layer zonal model.
 Suitable for low-Re flows or flows with complex inner layer
near-wall phenomena.
 Turbulence models are modified for the inner layer.
 Generally requires a fine near-wall mesh capable of
resolving the viscous sub-layer (more than 10 cells within the inner layer)
6-21 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Placement of The First Grid Point

For standard or non-equilibrium wall functions, each wall-adjacent cell’s
centroid should be located within the log-law layer: y +p ≈ 30 − 300

For the enhanced wall treatment (EWT), each wall-adjacent cell’s centroid
should be located within the viscous sublayer: y +p ≈ 1
 EWT can automatically accommodate cells placed in the log-law layer.

How to estimate the size of wall-adjacent cells before creating the grid:

y +p ≡ y p uτ / ν ⇒ y p ≡ y +pν / uτ , uτ ≡ τ w / ρ = U e c f / 2

 The skin friction coefficient can be estimated from empirical correlations:

Use post-processing (e.g., xy-plot or contour plot) to double check the near-
wall grid placement after the flow pattern has been established.

6-22 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Near-Wall Modeling: Recommended Strategy

Use SWF or NWF for most high Re applications (Re > 106) for
which you cannot afford to resolve the viscous sub-layer.
 There is little gain from resolving the viscous sub-layer. The choice of
core turbulence model is more important.
 Use NWF for mildly separating, reattaching, or impinging flows.

You may consider using EWT if:
 The characteristic Re is low or if near wall characteristics need to be
resolved.
 The same or similar cases which ran successfully previously with the
two-layer zonal model (in Fluent v5).
 The physics and near-wall mesh of the case is such that y+ is likely to
vary significantly over a wide portion of the wall region.

Try to make the mesh either coarse or fine enough to avoid placing
the wall-adjacent cells in the buffer layer (y+ = 5 ~ 30).

6-23 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Boundary Conditions at Inlet and Outlet

When turbulent flow enters a domain at inlets or outlets (backflow),
boundary conditions for k, ε, ω and/or ui u j must be specified, depending on
which turbulence model has been selected

Four methods for directly or indirectly specifying turbulence parameters:
 Explicitly input k, ε, ω, or ui u j
 This is the only method that allows for profile definition.
 See user’s guide for the correct scaling relationships among them.
 Turbulence intensity and length scale
 Length scale is related to size of large eddies that contain most of energy.
 For boundary layer flows: l ≈ 0.4δ99
 For flows downstream of grid: l ≈ opening size
 Turbulence intensity and hydraulic diameter
 Ideally suited for internal (duct and pipe) flows
 Turbulence intensity and turbulent viscosity ratio
 For external flows: 1 < µt/µ < 10

Turbulence intensity depends on upstream conditions: u/U ≈ 2k / 3 / U < 20%

6-24 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

GUI for Turbulence Models

Define → Models → Viscous...

Inviscid, Laminar,
or Turbulent

Turbulence Model Options

Define → Boundary Conditions ...

Near Wall Treatments

Additional Turbulence Options

In the absence of available data,

use more familiar quantities to specify
boundary conditions at inlets and outlets
6-25 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Example (1): Turbulent Flow Over a Blunt Plate

Reynolds-Stress Standard k-εε

model (“exact”) model

Contour plots
The Standard k-ε model is
of turbulent known to give spuriously
kinetic energy large TKE on the font face
(TKE) of the plate

6-26 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Example (1): Turbulent Flow over a Blunt Plate

Skin Friction coefficient

Predicted separation bubble:

Standard k-εε (ske)

( )

Realizable k-εε (rke)

( )

ske model severely underpredicts the size

of the separation bubble, while rke model Experimentally observed reattachment
predicts the size exactly. point is at x/d = 4.7
6-27 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Example (2): Turbulent Flow in a Cyclone

0.1 m

40,000 cell hexahedral mesh

0.12 m
High-order upwind scheme
was used.
Uin = 20 m/s
Computed using SKE, RNG,
RKE and RSM (second
0.97 m moment closure) models
with the standard wall
functions

Represents highly swirling
flows (Wmax = 1.8 Uin)

0.2 m
6-28 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Example (2): Turbulent Flow in a Cyclone

• Tangential velocity profile predictions at 0.41 m below the vortex finder

6-29 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Example (3): LES of the Flow Past a Square Cylinder

(ReH = 22,000)
CD St
Dynamic Smag. 2.28 0.130
Dynamic TKE 2.22 0.134
Exp.(Lyn et al., 1992) 2.1 – 2.2 0.130

Time-averaged streamwise
velocity along the wake centerline
Iso-contours of instantaneous vorticity
magnitude
CL spectrum
6-30 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Example (3): LES of the Flow Past a Square Cylinder

(ReH = 22,000)

Streamwise mean velocity Streamwise normal stress

along the wake centerline along the wake centerline

6-31 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Summary: Turbulence Modeling Guidelines

Successful turbulence modeling requires engineering judgment of:
 Flow physics
 Computer resources available
 Project requirements
 Accuracy
 Turnaround time
 Near-wall treatments

Modeling Procedure
 Calculate characteristic Re and determine whether the flow is turbulent.
 Estimate wall-adjacent cell centroid y+ before generating the mesh.
 Begin with SKE (standard k-ε) and change to RKE, RNG, SKO, SST or V2F
if needed. Check the tables in the appendix as a starting guide.
 Use RSM for highly swirling, 3-D, rotating flows.
 Use wall functions for wall boundary conditions except for the low-Re flows
and/or flows with complex near-wall physics.

6-32 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Appendix

Summary of RANS Turbulence Models: Description, Model Behavior
and Usage

More Details on Near-wall Modeling

Turbulent Heat Transfer Modeling

Additional Information on Menter’s SST k-ω Model

V2F Turbulence Model

Initial Velocity Field for LES/DES

6-33 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

RANS Turbulence Model Descriptions

Model Description:
A single transport equation model solving directly for a modified turbulent viscosity. Designed
Spalart- specifically for aerospace applications involving wall-bounded flows on a fine, near-wall mesh.
Allmaras Fluent’s implementation allows use of coarser meshes. •Option to include strain rate in k
production term improves predictions of vortical flows.
The baseline two transport equation model solving for k and ε. This is the default k-ε model.
Standard k-ε Coefficients are empirically derived; valid for fully turbulent flows only. •Options to account for
viscous heating, buoyancy, and compressibility are shared with other k-ε models.
A variant of the standard k-ε model. Equations and coefficients are analytically derived.
RNG k-ε Significant changes in the ε equation improves the ability to model highly strained flows.
•Additional options aid in predicting swirling and low Re flows.
Realizable k-εε A variant of the standard k-ε model. Its ‘realizability’ stems from changes that allow certain
mathematical constraints to be obeyed which ultimately improves the performance of this model.

A two transport equation model solving for k and ω, the specific dissipation rate (ε/k) based on
Standard k-ω Wilcox (1998). This is the default k -ω model. Demonstrates superior performance for wall
bounded and low-Re flows. Shows potential for predicting transition. •Options account for
transitional, free shear, and compressible flows.
A variant of the standard k-ω model. Combines the original Wilcox model (1988) for use near
SST k-ω walls and standard k-ε model away from walls using a blending function. Also limits turbulent
viscosity to guarantee that τt ~ k. •The transition and shearing options borrowed from SKO. No
compressibility option.
Reynolds stresses are solved directly with transport equations avoiding isotropic viscosity
RSM assumption of other models. Use for highly swirling flows. •Quadratic pressure-strain option
improves performance for many basic shear flows.
6-34 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

RANS Turbulence Model Behavior and Usage

Model Behavior and Usage
Economical for large meshes. Performs poorly for 3D flows, free shear flows, flows with strong
Spalart- separation. Suitable for mildly complex (quasi-2D) external/internal flows and b.l. flows under
Allmaras pressure gradient (e.g. airfoils, wings, airplane fuselage, missiles, ship hulls).
Standard k-ε Robust. Widely used despite the known limitations of the model. Performs poorly for complex
flows involving severe ∇p, separation, strong stream line curvature. Suitable for initial iterations,
initial screening of alternative designs, and parametric studies.
RNG k-ε Suitable for complex shear flows involving rapid strain, moderate swirl, vortices, and locally
transitional flows (e.g., b.l. separation, massive separation and vortex-shedding behind bluff
bodies, stall in wide-angle diffusers, room ventilation)
Realizable k-ε Offers largely the same benefits and has similar applications as RNG.
Possibly more accurate and easier to converge than RNG.

Standard k-ω Superior performance for wall-bounded b.l., free shear, and low Re flows. Suitable for complex
boundary layer flows under adverse pressure gradient and separation (external aerodynamics and
turbomachinery). Can be used for transitional flows (though tends to predict early transition).
Separation is typically predicted to be excessive and early.
SST k-ω Similar benefits as SKO. Dependency on wall distance makes this less suitable for free shear
flows.

Physically the most sound RANS model. Avoids isotropic eddy viscosity assumption. More CPU
RSM time and memory required. Tougher to converge due to close coupling of equations. Suitable for
complex 3D flows with strong streamline curvature, strong swirl/rotation (e.g. curved duct,
rotating flow passages, swirl combustors with very large inlet swirl, cyclones).

6-35 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Near-wall modeling (1):

Standard and Non-Equilibrium Wall Functions

Standard Wall Function
 Momentum boundary condition based on Launder-Spaulding law-of-the-wall:
U ∗ = y∗ y* < yv*
∗
UP C 1µ/ 4k 1P/ 2 ∗
ρ C 1µ/ 4k 1P/ 2 yP
where U ≡ y ≡
U ∗ = 1 ln Ey∗ 
for
y* > yv* τw / ρ µ
κ  
 Similar ‘wall laws’ apply for energy and species.
 Additional formulas account for k, ε, and ρuiuj.
 Less reliable when flow departs from conditions assumed in their derivation.
 Severe ∇p or highly non-equilibrium near-wall flows, high transpiration or
body forces, low Re or highly 3D flows

Non-Equilibrium Wall Function
 SWF is modified to account for stronger ∇p and non-equilibrium flows.
 Useful for mildly separating, reattaching, or impinging flows.

 Less reliable for high transpiration or body forces, low Re or highly 3D flows.

The Standard and Non-Equilibrium Wall functions are options for the k-ε and RSM
turbulence models.

6-36 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005

 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Near-wall modeling (2):

Enhanced Wall Treatment

Enhanced Wall Treatment
 Enhanced wall functions
Momentum boundary condition based on blended 1
u + = e Γ ulam
+ +
+ e Γ uturb


law-of-the-wall (Kader).
 Similar blended ‘wall laws’ apply for energy, species, and ω.
 Kader’s form for blending allows for incorporation of additional physics.
 Pressure gradient effects
 Thermal (including compressibility) effects
 Two-layer zonal model
 A blended two-layer model is used to determine near-wall ε field.
 Domain is divided into viscosity-affected (near-wall) region and turbulent core region.
– Based on ‘wall-distance’ turbulent Reynolds number: Re y ≡ ρ k y / µ
– Zoning is dynamic and solution adaptive.
 High Re turbulence model used in outer layer.
 ‘Simple’ turbulence model used in inner layer.
 Solutions for ε and µt in each region are blended, e.g., λε (µ t )outer + (1 − λε ) (µ t )inner

The Enhanced Wall Treatment option is available for the k-ε and RSM turbulence
models ( EWT is the sole treatment for Spalart Allmaras and k-ω models).
6-37 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005
 Fluent User Services Center Introductory FLUENT Notes
FLUENT v6.2 Mar 2005
www.fluentusers.com

Near Wall Modeling(3):

Two-Layer Zones

The two regions are demarcated
on a cell-by-cell basis:
 Rey > 200
 turbulent core region
 Rey < 200
 viscosity affected region
 Rey = ρk1/2y/µ
 y is shortest distance to nearest
wall
 zoning is dynamic and solution
adaptive

6-38 © Fluent Inc. 5/23/2005