Tutorial 3: Centrifugal Pump SHF

1 NUMECA Software
2 Prerequisites
3 Problem Description
4 Preparation

NUMECA Software
The resolution of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) problems involves three main steps:

spatial discretization of the flow equations,

flow computation,
visualization of the results.

To answer these questions, NUMECA has developed a Flow INtegrated Environment for internal and
Turbomachinery assimilations called FINE™/Turbo. The environment integrates the following tools:

IGG™ is an Interactive Geometry modeler and Grid generator, based on structured multi-block techniques.
AutoGrid5™ is a three-dimensional Automated Grid generation software tool, dedicated to
turbomachinery applications. Similarly to IGG™, it is based on structured multi-block techniques.
Euranus is a state-of-the-art multi-block flow solver, able to simulate Euler and Navier-Stokes equations in
the laminar, transitional and turbulent regimes.
CFView™ is a highly interactive flow visualization and post-treatment software tool.
FINE™ Graphical User Interface is a user-friendly environment that includes the different software. It
integrates the concept of projects and allows the user to achieve complete simulations, going from the grid
generation to flow visualization, without the need of file manipulation.

A turbomachine is a device in which the energy is transferred either to or from a continuously flowing fluid by the
dynamic action of one or more moving blade rows. It plays a major role in particular in aircraft, marine, space
(liquid rockets) and land propulsion systems but also in hydraulic, gas and steam turbine applications. It is also
used in industrial pipeline and processing equipment such as gas, petroleum and water pumping plants. Other
applications can be related to heart-assist pumps, industrial compressors and refrigeration plants, and more.

The turbomachinery field includes turbines, pumps, fans, compressors. A turbomachine is composed of several
basic elements including the blade (also called vane if it is non-rotating), hub, and shroud. Several technological
effects involving clearances, seal leakages and cooling holes among others can complete the machine. Due to the
complexity of the blade shapes, the presence of technological elements and the rotation of machine, the nature of
the flow is strongly three-dimensional, often depicting complex flow paths.

This tutorial is particularly adapted to the simulation of a single blade row centrifugal-flow turbomachine. It makes
use of FINE™/Turbo and describes how to deal with the specific options implemented in FINE™ environment.
In this tutorial you will learn how to:

import CAD files into AutoGrid5™;

define the blade periodicity;
control meridional flow paths;
generate and optimize the blade-to-blade mesh;
control the quality of the mesh in the blade-to-blade and 3D mesh;
manage fluid database;
use preconditioning parameters settings;
set up boundary and initial conditions;
manage numerical process;
select adequate outputs;
launch the calculation process;
check for convergence;
visualize and analyze the results.

Prerequisites
This tutorial does not require any prior experience with the menu structure in FINE™/Turbo.
Problem Description
This problem considers the generic SHF centrifugal pump as shown here below. The pump includes 7 blades,
rotating with a speed of 1,200 RPM. The absolute velocity at inlet is 1.842 m/s and the outlet static pressure is of
320,000 Pa. The flow is assumed to be fully turbulent.

Preparation
Start FINE™/Turbo v9.1-x ("x" symbol corresponds to the current release number):

For LINUX and UNIX systems, you can access FINE™/Turbo v9.1 graphical user interface with the
following command line:

localhost % fine -niversion 91_x -print

For WINDOWS systems, you can access FINE™/Turbo v9.1 graphical user interface from the start
menu by going to /Programs/NUMECA software/Fine91_x/FINE.

Click the Create a New Project icon to create a new project.

 Select your directory of choice to store the project.
Enter the project name in the dialog box as <Tutorial3> <Enter>.
Click on Create Grid File to access the interactive geometry modeler and grid generator IGG™.

Access the menu Modules, select AutoGrid5 and confirm (yes) to enter AutoGrid5™ v9.1.

You are now ready to start the grid generation process and mesh the CENTRIFUGAL PUMP configuration! Click
here to start the mesh generation...
Tutorial 3: Mesh Generation
1 Create Mesh Project
2 Load Geometry
3 Mesh Wizard
4 Mesh Visualization
5 Save Project

The AutoGrid5™ v9.1 graphical user interface includes several windows that enable the simultaneous visualization
of the geometry and the mesh of the turbomachine in the meridional, blade-to-blade and 3D views. The access to
main menu and controls is proposed through a menu bar and a quick access pad, and is completed with
a tool/icon bar. The execution of the different actions undertaken is summarized in the message box at the
bottom of the interface.

A step by step approach is provided in the following lines. It aims at driving you through various steps that need to
be executed from the creation of the mesh project to the validation of the final mesh quality.

Create Mesh Project

1. Select Basic Mode if necessary in the toolbar.

The Basic Mode will give access to a simplified graphical user interface. For most projects the
available parameters in the Basic Mode are sufficient.

2. Close the Open Turbo Project Wizard dialog box.

The Open Turbo Project Wizard dialog box enables the user to retrieve a ".trb" file (with associated
grid) including the data required to regenerate a mesh on an identical or similar geometry. In this
tutorial, these data will be progressively introduced based on the geometry of the project case.

3. Go to File -> New Project.

4. Click yes to close the active project.
5. Choose Start a New Project From Scratch.
Load Geometry
6. Left-click Row Definition −> row 1 in the Quick Access Pad (QAP) to activate the current row, if not done
already.
7. Left-click in the meridional view.
8. Go to Geometry Definition -> Init From an External CAD File.

A graphic window opens, allowing geometry import.

9. Define the hub curve:

Go to File -> Open....

Locate and select the "_geom/hub.dat" file from the file chooser. The geometry is defined in meters.
Left-click on the hub, its color should turn to yellow.
Right-click and select Link to Hub.
 The hub curve is now displayed in the meridional view.

10. Define the shroud curve:

Left-click on File -> Open....

Select the "_geom/shroud.dat" file from the file chooser. The geometry is defined in meters.
Left-click on the shroud, its color should turn to yellow.
Right-click and select Link to Shroud.

The shroud curve and channel are now displayed in the meridional view.
11. Define the blade:

Left-click Row Definition −> row 1 in the Quick Access Pad (QAP) to activate the current row, if not
done already.
Select the menu item File -> Open....
Select the "_geom/blade.dat" file from the file chooser.
Go to Select -> Surfaces.

A message will prompt to select surfaces.

Press key binding <a>.

The binding key <a> acts as a toggle, activating or deactivating all surfaces.

Double right-click to quit the surfaces selection and select Link to Blade.

The blade is now displayed in the meridional view.

12. Define the leading and trailing edge:

Left-click on the blade leading edge curve inside the Import CAD window.
As it turns yellow, right-click and select Link to Leading Edge.
Left-click on the blade trailing edge curve inside the Import CAD window.
As it turns yellow, right-click and select Link to Trailing Edge.

The leading and trailing edges are displayed in the meridional view with inlet and outlet (if the blade
is crossing the hub and shroud).

13. Go to File -> Exit to quit the Import CAD window.

Mesh Wizard
14. Left-click Row Definition −> row 1 in the Quick Access Pad (QAP) to activate the current row, if not done
already.
15. Left-click Row Wizard in the toolbar.

16. Click yes to start the wizard and to reset the mesh generation parameters.

The reset will keep the modifications performed by the user in the Row Wizard but will reset the
parameters modified in Expert Mode to the default value.

The wizard is divided iton 6 steps:

the geometry check (optional),

the machine characteristics definition,
the gap and fillet definition,
the flow path definition,
the blade-to-blade mesh definition,
the end of the initialization.

17. Click yes to confirm the geometry check (step 1).

During the geometry check of a blade, AutoGrid5™ performs the following operations: check blade
definition, check orientation of the blade section curves, detect loop detection into the blade section
curves and between the blade sections. More details in AutoGrid5™ User Manual.

18. Click on Next in the dialog box to define the machine characteristics (step 2).

19. Select SHF Pump as Row type in the Blade row type dialog box.
20. Enter the Periodicity (number of blades). Left-click inside the string input area and type <7>, press
<Enter> to confirm.
21. Select Rotor.
22. Enter <1200> in Rotation Speed (rpm).
 This speed will be transferred to FINE™ graphical user interface and ease the input of boundary
conditions later on.

The sign of the rotational speed is positive (+) when the blade row is rotating in the positive θ-
direction, and negative otherwise.

23. Click Next in the dialog box to start the gap and fillet definition (step 3).
24. Keep all data unchanged (no gap or fillet).
25. Click Next>> in the dialog box to start the flow path definition (step 4).
26. Set Spanwise Grid Point Number set to <33> <Enter> (corresponding to the flow paths number) in
the Layer Control dialog box.

When increasing or decreasing the number of flow paths, the number of flow paths in the gaps and
fillets is automatically updated as well as the percentage of constant cells, leading to an increase or
decrease of the spanwise expansion ratio.

27. Estimate the width of the first cell at the wall:

The width of the first cell close to the wall must be selected with care since the quality of the flow
solution will often depend upon the capture of the flow phenomena inside the boundary layers which
develop along the solid walls.

Depending upon the turbulence model selected, NUMECA recommends to locate the nearest grid point
along the wall, at a distance that corresponds to parietal coordinate y+ ranging from 1-5 (low
Reynolds number models) or 30-50 (high Reynolds number models). Assuming thermal effects must
be modelled accurately, y+ can reach values as low as 0.1.

The relation between the parietal coordinate y+ and width of the first cell close to the wall y is driven
by the Blasius equation, expressed as follows for turbulent flows:

where:

ywall is the distance of the nearest grid point to the wall (in meter);
Vref is a reference velocity of the flow, for instance the inlet velocity (in m/s);
υ is the kinematic viscosity of the fluid (in m2/s), i.e. the dynamic viscosity divided by the
density;
 Lref is a reference length of the test case (in meter);
y+ is a non-dimensional value.

In the present case, one can estimate that Vref=25.13 m/s; Lref=0.4m; υ=1.01e-6 m2/s. Assuming one

wishes to get y+=6 at the wall, it turns out that y = 1 x 10-5 m.

Input the value of the Wall Cell Width = <1e-5> [Meters] <Enter> in the Layer Control dialog box.

28. Click Next>> in the dialog box to start the blade-to-blade mesh definition (step 5).
29. Set the Number of Points (of the 3D mesh) around 400,000 by clicking the << or >> button in the B2B
Control dialog box.

30. Click Preview B2B to plot the blade-to-blade mesh at mid-span: default O4H topology is used with additional
upstream/downstream H-blocks.

The Full Visibility option allows the user to see the mesh moving in the blade-to-blade view when
applying the optimization steps.

The default O4H topology includes 5 blocks:

the skin block is an O-mesh surrounding the blade;

the inlet block is a H-mesh located upstream the leading edge;
the outlet block is a H-mesh located downstream the trailing edge;
the up block is a H-mesh located above the blade section;
 the down block is a H-mesh located under the blade section.

31. Select Skewness or Expansion Ratio to plot the orthogonality or expansion ratio field of the blade-to-blade
mesh at mid-span.

32. Click Finish to end the initialization process (step 6).

33. Click yes to start the 3D mesh generation.

Click no to check the blade-to-blade mesh quality at hub and/or shroud before generating the 3D
mesh.

Go to Mesh Control -> Active B2B Layer to specify the flow path (layer) on which the mesh will be
plotted in the blade-to-blade view. By default, the active view is located at the mid-span of the
machine (Active Layer (%span) set to 50). The layer selected for visualization is defined in
percentage of span, going from hub (0%) to shroud (100%). Enter <0> <Enter> or <100>
<Enter> in order to visualize the mesh at hub or shroud respectively.
Select Update B2B View to regenerate the blade-to-blade mesh on the new specified layer in the
blade-to-blade view.

A detailed analysis of mesh quality can be performed on a blade-to-blade mesh after generation.
Information on orthogonality, aspect ratio and expansion ratio can be outlined in this window by
clicking :

Select quality criteria using the Type pull-down menu.

Left-click Show chart to visualize the distribution of selected criteria in the form of an

histogram. The histogram is drawn for each row.

Left-click part of the histogram to plot the concerned cells in blade-toblade view or

select Display all cells to have an overview on mesh quality.

Left-click More info button to obtain information about minimum and maximum values of the
selected criteria.

Close the quality check box.

After performing the blade-to-blade mesh quality check, the 3D mesh generation can be started by

clicking the Generate 3D button (

).
 Once 3D grid generation is completed, a grid quality check is performed and displayed. Minimum cell
skewness, maximum expansion ratio and aspect ratio are reported, among others. Data is available
for the entire mesh as well as separately for each entity (row, technological effect, bulb). Data related
to the grid quality report is automatically stored in a report file, once the project file is saved.

34. Close the dialog box. The page can be reopened by clicking .

Mesh Visualization
35. Select View -> view 3D Solid Mesh.
36. Left-click the View 3D button in the toolbar to visualize only the 3D view.

By default the 3D solid mesh is plotted on hub and blades. To remove the plot, select View −> hide
3D Solid Mesh.

37. Use the Repetition icon ( ) to toggle the repetition of the channel.
38. Use the View menu in the Quick Access Pad to toggle edge, mesh and/or solid shading.

Check Boundary Conditions & Mesh Quality

39. Check for boundary conditions by clicking .

40. Select UND under the Type pull-down menu and press <Enter> to check that there are no patches in the
patch list that are still set to an undefined type.
 the mesh.

41. Close the dialog box.

42. Left-click in the 3D view to activate the view (red border), if not done already.

43. Check for negative cells by clicking .

44. Click Apply.

be outlined in the mesh by pressing the View neg cells button. Beware that the visualization
started.

45. Click ok and Close the dialog box.

46. Left-click in the 3D view to activate the view (red border), if not done already.

47. Check for grid quality by clicking .

A detailed analysis of the mesh quality on a 3D mesh can only be performed once the 3D mesh has
been generated. Information on orthogonality, angular deviation, aspect ratio, expansion ratio and
cell width can be outlined in this window using the Type pull-down menu.
48. Select block number (0 for all) - <Enter>.
49. Select quality criteria using the Type pull-down menu.

50. Left-click Show chart to visualize the distribution of selected criteria in the form of a histogram. The histogram
is drawn per block (0 = all blocks).

51. Left-click part of the histogram to plot the concerned cells in the 3D view.
52. Left-click the More Info button to obtain information regarding minimum and maximum values of the selected
criteria and block.

53. Close the dialog box.

Save Project
54. Go to File −> Save Project As <tutorial3> and press <Enter> to save the mesh and template files in the
"_mesh" subfolder.

The mesh files (7 files) contain the multiblock mesh topology, geometry and grid points and the
boundary condition types: ".bcs", ".cgns", ".geom" (".xmt_txt" or ".X_T"), ".igg", ".config" and
".qualityReport". The meaning of these files is detailed in the User Manual.

The template files (4 files) contain the parameters and the geometry needed to reproduce the mesh
with AutoGrid5™: ".geomTurbo" (".geom Turbo.xmt_txt" or ".geomTurbo.X_T"), ".trb" and ".info".
The meaning of these files is detailed in the User Manual.

Now that the mesh is saved, click here to set up the computation in FINE™/Turbo interface!
Tutorial 3: Flow Settings

1 Link Mesh & Project

2 Manage Computations
3 Set Flow Configuration
4 Set Boundary Conditions
5 Set Numerical Model
6 Set Initial Conditions
7 Select Outputs
8 Control Computation Steering
9 Save Project & Start Calculation
10 Follow Convergence Steering

The mesh generation process is now completed and one can now go back to the FINE™ graphical user interface in
order to set the various flow settings required before starting the computation. Access to the main menu and
controls is provided through a menu bar and a left-tree, and is complemented with an icon bar.

Access to the FINE™ graphical user interface from the AutoGrid5™ window is provided through
the Modules menu, simply confirm (yes) to enter FINE™ GUI v9.1. You are now back at the FINE™ graphical user
interface!

A step by step approach is provided in the following lines. It aims at driving you through the various steps that
need to be executed from mesh linking to the execution of the calculation.

Link Mesh & Project

55. Click the icon and link the mesh "tutorial3.igg" to the project.
56. Define grid units in Meters as the geometrical data inserted in the "tutorial3.geomTurbo" file is expressed in
meters.
57. Select a Cylindrical and 3 Dimensions configuration.
58. Click OK to close the dialog box.

Manage Computations
59. Rename the default computation "computation_1" as "000_SA" in the Computations area, to indicate that the
calculation will be executed on the fine grid first and will use the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. This can be
achieved by left-clicking the Rename button and replacing "computation_1" by "000_SA".

Similar operations can be executed using the New Computation or Remove buttons, to respectively
create a new computations or remove one.

Set Flow Configuration

60. Go to the tree in the left menu and double left-click the Configuration menu.
 Three sub-menus related to the definition of the working fluid, main flow characteristics and rotating
machinery definition can then be accessed.

61. Double left-click Fluid Model to access the fluid database.

62. Select WATER. Water is now selected as a working fluid.

The fluid database includes a number of pre-defined fluids, covering various approximations in fluid
definition such as perfect gas, ideal (real) gas, incompressible fluids and fluids defined as a set of
thermodynamic tables (optional, subjected to a separate license key).

A default fluid database is provided with FINE™/Turbo. The user is also able to create and modify
his/her own fluids and/or use fluids created by others. More details about these functionalities are
available in the FINE™ User Manual.

63. Double left-click Flow Model to set the flow characteristics.

64. Select Steady to indicate that a steady solution is of interest.
65. Select Turbulent Navier-Stokes to activate the resolution of the RANS equations.
66. Select Spalart-Allmaras as the turbulence model of choice.

A number of turbulence models can be accessed through the interface. They require the additional
resolution of 0-equation to 4-equations, depending upon the model selected. Some of these models
do need a fine resolution near the wall (y+ ranging from 1 to 5), while others use the log-law concept
and can mimic the logarithmic law. More details can be found in the FINE™ User Manual.
67. Set Reynolds Number Related Info:

Set the Characteristic length = <0.4> < Enter>,

Set the Characteristic velocity = <25.13> < Enter>,
Set the Characteristic density = <1001> < Enter>.

Characteristic variables (length, velocity, density) are required to estimate

the Reynolds number. This number is used at few locations inside the flow
solver, in particular inside the damping functions related to the modeling of
turbulence down to the walls.

The impact of the characteristic variables on the flow solution is very

limited, but it is advised to select values in accordance with characteristic
quantities of the geometrical domain and flow conditions. As an example,
the characteristic length may be defined on the basis of a reference
diameter or length at inlet and/or outlet of the computational domain,
and/or the chord of the blade (if any). The characteristic velocity may be set
to the averaged inlet velocity. The characteristic density is fixed as the
average (molecular) fluid density.

68. Double left-click Rotating Machinery to set the rotating machinery definition.
69. Check that the Rotational Speed = <1200>.

In the cylindrical mode, the flow solver resolves the equations by default in a relative frame of
reference. As a consequence, the mesh attached to the blade is rotating at the same speed as the
blade, as far as no rotor-stator interaction is concerned. The rotation speed has been introduced in
AutoGrid5™ and transferred through FINE™, limiting user interventions in the graphical user
interface.

For rotating machinery projects, the axis of rotation must be aligned along the z-direction. In
addition, a unique rotation speed must be considered for the entire computational domain.

Tab pages related to Rotor-Stator and Throughflow Blocks are not required in the frame of this
tutorial. Please consult tutorial 2 for more information about the treatment of rotor-stator interfaces.

Set Boundary Conditions

70. Go to the tree in the left menu and double left-click the Boundary Conditions menu.
 During the grid generation process, AutoGrid5™ defines the type of the boundary conditions to be
applied on each block face. The most common types are INLET, OUTLET, PERIODIC and SOLID
boundary conditions.

PERIODIC boundary conditions are set automatically by the flow solver and must not be modified by
the user.

It is important to confirm each entry by pressing the <Enter> key.

71. Go to Mesh -> View On/Off to load the mesh into the FINE™ GUI.

This toggle menu is used to visualize the grid in FINE™. The parameters area will be overlapped by a
graphics window, and the small control button on the upper-left corner of the graphics window can be
used to resize the graphics area in order to visualize simultaneously the parameters and the mesh.

The selection of patches in the left column outlines the corresponding patch in the graphics area, thus
enabling a fast and easy visualization of the boundary conditions.

72. Go to the INLET tab:

Select Static Quantities Imposed,

Select Angle from Axial Direction type of boundary conditions,

Set Magnitude of Absolute Velocity = <1.842> <Enter>,

Set arctg (Vt / Vz) = <0> <Enter>,
Set arctg (Vr / Vz) = <0> <Enter>,
Set Static Temperature = <293> <Enter>,
Set Turbulence Viscosity = <5e-6> <Enter>.

73. Go to the OUTLET tab:

Select Pressure Imposed,

Activate Static Pressure Imposed,
Set Static Pressure = <320000> <Enter>.
74. Go to the SOLID tab:

For each row, patches including the keyword "hub" are by default collected in a unique group named
as "row_*_hub_(r.p.m.*)". Patches including the keyword "shroud" are grouped in "row_*_shroud".
Finally, patches of the blade are grouped in "row_*_blade_(r.p.m.*)". If part of the row is rotating,
the suffix _(r.p.m. rot_speed) is added to the group name. The presence of a tip gap is
automatically taken into account in the blade group, thus minimizing user intervention in
the definition of the boundary conditions. For a rotor, which is defined in AutoGrid5™, it is assumed
that the hub and the blade are fully rotating. The rotation speed takes the value introduced during the
mesh generation process. The shroud is assumed to be a fixed entity, with no rotation speed
assigned.

Left-click the "row_1_hub_(r.p.m.1200)" group.

The rotation speed is usually considered as a constant for the entire patch (group). However, FINE™
integrates the possibility to define that only part of a patch is rotating (e.g. part of the hub). This
applies to the SHF pump project, where only part of the hub is considered as a rotating body.

Keep Adiabatic.
Left-click Area Defined Rotation Speed.

A schematic sketch is proposed in the page. It enables the definition of some geometrical windows on
the selected patch (or group). The window is defined according to 4 quantities related to the abscissa
(z) and radius (r) in the meridional plane. Solid walls included in the window will be considered as
rotating, with rotation speed 2, while portions of solid walls located outside of the window will rotate
with a speed equal to rotation speed 1. In this manner, it is feasible to define rotating parts
independently from the mesh.
Set Rotational Speed1 = <0> <Enter>.
Set Rotational Speed2 = <1200> <Enter>.
Set Lower Radius Limit = <0.01> <Enter>.
Set Higher Radius Limit = <0.2> <Enter>.
Set Lower Axial Limit = <-0.15> <Enter>.
Set Higher Axial Limit = <0.02> <Enter>.
Check the Compute force and torque button.

The convergence of both axial thrust and torque can be monitored in the computational steering, to
make sure that both quantities have reached stable values at the end of the convergence process.
Both values are also available from the *.mf file located in the computation directory. The torque can
also be used for the calculation of the efficiency of the machine. It is common practice to enable force
and torque calculation on rotating patches only

Left-click the "row_1_shroud_(r.p.m.1200)" group.

Keep Adiabatic.
Left-click Area Defined Rotation Speed.
Set Rotational Speed1 = <0> <Enter>.
Set Rotational Speed2 = <1200> <Enter>.
Set Lower Radius Limit = <0.01> <Enter>.
Set Higher Radius Limit = <0.2> <Enter>.
Set Lower Axial Limit = <-0.0643> <Enter>.
Set Higher Axial Limit = <-0.01> <Enter>.
Check the Compute force and torque button.
 Left-click the "row_1_blade_(r.p.m.1200)" group.
Keep Adiabatic.
Left-click Constant Rotation Speed.
Set Rotational Speed1 = <1200> <Enter>.
Check the Compute force and torque button.

75. Go to Mesh -> View on/Off to toggle the mesh visualization, if needed.

Set Numerical Model

76. Go to the tree in the left menu and double click-left on the Numerical Model menu.

This menu gives access to the most frequently used numerical parameters, including the Courant
Friedrichs Lewy (CFL) number and the selection of the grid level on which the simulation will apply. It
is important to confirm each entry by pressing the <Enter> key.

77. Keep CFL unchanged = <3>.

The CFL number drives the pseudo-time step selected to reach a steady state solution using the time-
marching method integrated in the flow solver. In combination with the 4-step Runge-Kutta
integration scheme included in the flow solver, it has a theoretical stability limit close to 2.8. However,
the additional implicit smoothing scheme can increase this value slightly, which justifies the default
value of 3.

The default value for CFL number is adequate in most cases, but can be decreased in some
circumstances, in particular at off-design conditions.

78. Define the grid level on which the simulation will apply:

The flow solver is based on an explicit time integration technique, which is accelerated by means of
dedicated multi-grid methods. To this end, several levels of intermediate grids must be generated
started from the finest one. This is achieved by taking one node over 2 in each I-, J- or K-directions,
starting from the finer grid level.

It is strongly advised to enable the definition of at least 3 grid levels, by carefully selecting the
number of nodes on every edge forming the patches and blocks. More details can be found in the
IGG™, AutoGrid5™ and FINE™ User Manuals.

In the FINE™ terminology, the finest grid level a user can access will be called 000, while the
intermediate and coarsest ones will be named the 111 and 222 level respectively, assuming 3 grid
levels can be selected.
 Hybrid grid levels can theoretically be defined (e.g. 010 or 211). It is however not advised to use such
hybrid levels since it deforms the mesh in a preferential direction and thus possibly increasing the
aspect ratio. Consequently, the quality of the resulting mesh can be decreased.

Make sure that Current Grid Level = <0 0 0>,

Keep Number of Grid(s) = <3>,
Keep the Coarse Grid Initialization active,

In addition to the multi-grid acceleration technique, the number of iterations to convergence can be
significantly reduced activating the coarse grid initialization process. In that case, the simulation
starts on the coarsest grid level available, leading to fast convergence. Once done, the flow solver
automatically interpolates the current flow solution on the intermediate levels before the iterative
process is restarted. A similar process occurs up as long as the expected finest grid level is reached.
The iterative process is then pursued up as far as the convergence criteria is not reached or the
maximum number of iterations is exceeded. More details can be found in the FINE™ User Manual.

Activate Expert Mode to access expert parameters for coarse grid initialization,
Change the Maximum number of cycles per grid level = <400> <Enter>.

79. Define preconditioning parameters: keep default parameters.

Preconditioning is applied at low speed flows and/or modeling incompressible fluids. At low Mach
numbers, the convergence rate of the iterative process can be largely slowed down due to the
numerical formulation selected in the flow solver. The equations are then preconditioned to recover a
satisfactory rate of convergence. Preconditioning is controlled in the Hakimi method through a user
controlled parameter ß*.

This parameter ß is imposed by the user through a coefficient ß* and the characteristic velocity Uref
such that:

ß² = ß* . Uref²

Uref is the representative value of the maximum velocity in the flow field. For the user's convenience,
the constant Uref is however always set equal to the reference velocity specified in the Flow Model
page and used in the calculation of the Reynolds Number. In that case, Uref must be carefully
selected since it influences the convergence.

Set Initial Conditions

80. Go to the tree in the left menu and double left-click the Initial Solution menu.
81. Left-click the ROWS group.

The group is automatically created when the mesh is loaded into the FINE™ GUI. In complex projects,
hybrid initial solutions can be useful. In that case, a constant initial solution per block can be selected
for some groups, while others can for instance benefit from an initial solution from Turbomachinery.
Limitations related to the use of hybrid initial solutions are described in the FINE™ User Manual.
82. Select for turbomachinery to access the initial solution menu for turbomachinery.

Initial conditions can be selected in different forms, going from constant values per block to
throughflow based solutions. When running a rotating machinery project case, it is common practice
to select the initial solution for Turbomachinery. Based on a 1D estimation of the flow solution, the
initial solution for Turbomachinery often enables a drastic reduction in the number of iterations in
running 3D simulations. Inputs ("best estimation") related to static pressure at inlet and rotor-stator
interfaces (if it applies) are requested.

83. Left-click the inlet patch ("row_1_flux_1_Main_Blade_upStream_inlet").

The presence of an inlet condition is mandatory for use with the initial solution for turbomachinery.

84. Set Estimated Static Pressure = <101325> <Enter>.

Select Outputs
85. Go to the tree in the left menu and double left-click the Outputs menu.
86. Double left-click Computed Variables.

Quantities of interest in the simulation must be pre-selected in this menu. They will be stored in the
solution file (*.cgns) once the iterative process will be finished and/or during intermediate steps.
Quantities can be accessed both in the 3D field (Computed Variables) and/or in the meridional
plane (following circumferential averaging, see Azimuthal Averaged Variables). Additional data can
be selected on the solid walls and/or on predefined surfaces (Surface Averaged Variables).

The adequate selection of outputs of interest will reduce the size of the solution file. This is in
particular important when projects involving very fine meshes and/or unsteady capabilities are
managed.

87. Activate Static, Total Absolute and Total Relative Temperature if not yet active.
88. Activate Static, Total Absolute and Total Relative Pressure if not yet active.
89. Activate Density, Entropy, Rothalpy and Dynamic viscosity if not yet active.
90. Left-click the Velocities tab page.
91. Activate Vxyz in absolute velocities section if not yet active.
92. Activate Wxyz in relative velocities section if not yet active.

Vxyz and Wxyz are the velocity vector fields in respectively the absolute and relative frame of
reference. The examination of solution quantities in the relative frame of reference is particularly
useful to observe the flow angles relative to the blade close to leading and trailing edge.

93. Left-click the Solid data tab.

94. Activate Static pressure, Static temperature, Cf, Relative velocity and y+ (in first inner cell) if not yet
active.

Cf is known as the friction coefficient.

The parietal coordinate y+ is a direct function of the distance from the wall. Therefore, y+ = 0 at the
wall and takes a non-zero value at the center of the first cell close to the wall (also called "inner cell").
As a consequence, the examination of y+ "at the wall" should be understood as the examination
"in the first inner cell". Although it is not correct theoretically speaking, this concept is very often used
to ease the post-treatment and benefit from the existing solid surfaces.

95. Left-click the Turbulence tab.

96. Activate Wall distance and Turbulent Viscosity ratio if not yet active.

The analysis of the Turbulent Viscosity ratio field is often of major interest to ensure that the turbulent
quantities are computed accurately, according to the turbulence model and mesh refinement selected.

Running k-epsilon related models gives access to additional quantities in particular related to the
production term, the kinetic energy and dissipation rate fields. It is strongly advised to activate these
fields for post-treatment.

97. Double left-click Azimuthal Averaged Variables.

98. Go through the various tab pages and select the quantities as selected under Computed Variables.

Additionally, outputs can be re-directed using the PLOT3D format, using various formats. More details
can be found in the FINE™ User Manual.
Control Computation Steering
99. Go to the tree in the left menu and double left-click the Computation Steering menu.
100. Double left-click Control Variables.
101. Set Maximum Number Of Iterations = <2000> <Enter>.
102. Keep Save Solution Every = <100> <Enter>.
103. Keep Convergence Criteria = <-6> <Enter>.

Depending upon the quality of the initial solution, the density of the mesh (number of nodes) and the
complexity of the underlying flow field, a few hundred to a few thousand iterations are typically
required to reach convergence. The iterative process is stopped once the convergence criteria
is reached over the entire domain or the maximum number of iterations is exceeded on the finest grid
level (000).

The ability to select Minimum output offers the possibility to minimize the size of the solution files.
In this case, the flow solution is stored only once the iterative process is finished, and limited
information is provided during the intermediate storage. This limited information allows the user to
perform a restart procedure from an existing flow solution, but cannot be visualized within CFView™.

Static memory allocation is enabled inside the flow solver. A best estimate of the memory required to
run and save the flow solution is calculated and proposed as a default. However, in some
circumstances, the estimation may be too short and it is then require to manually increase the
number of reals or integers required to drive the solution to success. In that case, click Set the
requested memory and increase the inputs accordingly.

104. Select Expert Mode, verify that the expert parameter TORRO = <1> <Enter>.

In Expert Mode, the user has the ability to define the advanced options and set the expert
parameters.
 When using an area defined rotation speed, the expert parameter TORRO can be used to
compute the force and torque only on the rotating part of the patches with area defined
rotation speed (TORRO=1).

Save Project & Start Calculation

105. Open the File menu and Save the project.

The project parameters are stored in the *.iec file. This file includes the entire set of parameters
required to reproduce the project, excluding the mesh.

106. Press the icon and click Start Flow Solver in the dialog box to start the calculation: a task manager
window will appear.
 The calculation will start in serial mode (1 processor) on the local machine. FINE™ includes multi-
processor capabilities and the ability to manage computations through a task manager and/or in batch
mode. More details can be found in the FINE™ User Manual.

Follow Convergence Steering

107. Double left-click Convergence History.

The evolution of averaged residuals on the entire domain can be observed during the convergence
process. Similarly, the evolution of the mass flow balance (in/ out) and/or global quantities (isentropic
efficiency, torque and axial thrust on solid walls selected in the boundary conditions page, pressure
ratio) can be displayed.

Local and global quantities may also be added for follow-up during the convergence process.
However, their representation in the graphical area will be effective only once they will be added, and
past history will not be available. More details can be found in the FINE™ User Manual.

The examination of residuals per block and/or for a given primitive variable can be achieved accessing
the monitorTurbo tool. The tool is included in the FINE™ package and can be accessed through the
adequate command line. More details can be found in the FINE™ User Manual.

108. Once the calculation has converged or reaches the maximum number of iterations allowed on the finest grid
level, the flow solver stops. The final solution is then stored in the solution file (*.cgns) and the task manager
window is closed.

To check the convergence of the computation, NUMECA recommends observing the evolution of
multiple criteria including (a) an adequate decrease in residuals (minimum 3 orders of magnitude);
(b) complete stabilization of global performances; (c) stabilization of mass flow in/out, with
satisfactory correspondence (usually less than 0.5% difference between in/out).

Now that the iterative process is over, click here to start the visualization of the solution within the
post-treatment tool CFView™ integrated in FINE™/Turbo.
Tutorial 3: Post Processing
1 Select Surfaces
2 Select Representation
3 3D Analysis
4 Blade-to-Blade View
5 Turbomachinery Mode

The iterative process is now over and the flow solution is stored in the ".cgns" file. The number of nodes in a
typical mesh usually ranges from few hundred thousands to several millions, which makes visualization delicate in
most cases. As part of the FINE™ environment, NUMECA proposes the use of the home-made visualization and
post-treatment tool CFView™. CFView™ is entirely integrated in the environment and includes numerous tools
which are particularly best suited for the analysis of turbomachinery configurations.

Access to CFView™ from the FINE™ graphical user interface is provided through the Modules menu, or

alternatively by pressing the icon.

A step by step approach is provided in the following lines. It aims at driving you through the various steps that
need to be executed from reading the solution to the extraction of the main results. CFView™ automatically opens
the ".run" file associated with the active computation.

After running turbomachinery computation and assuming some variables have been selected in
the Azimuthal Averaged Variables section of the FINE™ graphical user interface output page, CFView™
proposes the user to open the azimuthal averaged solution first. Otherwise, the full 3D solution will be opened.

109. Activate View the azimuthal averaged solution.

110. Left-click Start CFView.

You will now enter CFView™ !

Select Surfaces
111. <Ctrl> + left-click "domain1", "domain2" and "domain3" in the Surfaces area, then click-right
and choose Select in the pop-up menu to activate them.

Select Quantity
112. Go to the Quantity menu.
113. Enter the Field Data -> Basic Quantities sub-menu.
114. Select quantity Absolute Total Pressure.

All quantities selected in the FINE™ graphical user interface are transferred to CFView™. However,
additional derived output can be accessed directly from the visualization and post-treatment tool,
including vector components, gradients, divergence and curl of selected quantities. New quantities,
defined as an arithmetic combination of existing quantities possibly combined with regular operations
(trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions,...) can furthermore be created.
Select Representation
115. Access the Representation menu.
116. Select Color Contour -> Smooth.

Once the candidate quantity for visualization is selected, the user must to choose a representation
mode. Representation is typically executed in the form of color contours (smoothed or stripped)
and/or isolines. CFView™ also includes the possibility to interrogate the flow field locally ("local
value") and create 1D Cartesian plots. Advanced capabilities involving curve and/or
surface integration can also be accessed. More details can be found in the CFView™ User Manual.

117. Left-click "domain3" in Surfaces area.

118. Right-click to access the contextual menu and press Select.
119. Open the Representation menu.
120. Select Cartesian Plot -> Along Grid Line.
121. Change Index from i to j.
122. Change Value to <17> <Enter>.
123. Click the Apply button.
 A 1D Cartesian plot has been created at about 50% span, extracting the evolution of the Absolute
Total Pressure along the streamwise direction along a grid line (I-direction). Data can be extracted
along boundary, solid boundary, grid line or along a user defined section. More details can be found in
the CFView™ User Manual.

124. Click the Close button.

125. Left-click somewhere in the Cartesian plot window to activate it (red border).
126. Right-click and select Show H Grid Lines.
127. Right-click and select Show V Grid Lines.

128. Left-click the curve.

129. Right-click and select Curve Type.
130. Change Thickness from 2 to <1>.
131. Go to the Marker tab.
132. Change Symbol to Circle.
133. Change Size from 0.4 to <0.3>.
134. Change the color to <red>.
135. Click Apply.
136. Left-click the Close button.
137. Left- click anywhere inside the Cartesian plot window.
138. Go to the View menu.
139. Select Maximize.

CFView™ offers the possibility to create and arrange Cartesian plots in different manners, with
numerous options related to the type, thickness and colors of the lines and symbols. The
manipulations are done interactively, mainly with the help of contextual menus. In addition, CFView™
includes a powerful project and windows based management, giving the user the possibility to open
multiple projects and manage several windows simultaneously. More details can be found in the
CFView™ User Manual.

3D Analysis

In the previous section, attention has been focused on the management and creation of plots in the
meridional plane, by means of the azimuthal averaged view. The creation of 3D plots is based on the
same concept of quantity selection and representation explained in the above sections. However,
since the plane of drawing is no longer two-dimensional, there is a need to select and/or create a
surface for representation first.

140. Go to the File menu.

141. Select Quit CFView to quit CFView™ and choose yes to confirm.

142. Access CFView™ again from the FINE™ GUI by pressing the icon.
143. Deactivate View the azimuthal averaged solution.
144. Click Start CFView.
You will now enter 3D analysis mode in CFView™ !

145. Access the Geometry menu.

146. Select Boundary to deactivate boundary representation.

Boundary activation/deactivation is used as a toggle and acts on all selected surfaces. Fast access is
ensured using the binding key <b>.

147. Double left-click the check box "row1_shroud_(r.p.m.1200)" inside the Surfaces area to deactivate the set of
patches that defines the entity shroud. Groups "row1_hub_(r.p.m.1200)" and "row1_blade_(r.p.m.1200)" are the
only entities that remain active at this moment.

Selection of surfaces for representation is controlled through the Surfaces area. Alternatively,
identical operations can be executed from the Geometry menu.

Patches flagged as solids are selected as the default surfaces for representation. Groups created in
the boundary condition area inside FINE™ are transferred directly to CFView™, so that the selection of
surface entities can be performed just in a few clicks.
 Fast selection of a group of surfaces in a large list including numerous surfaces, which are partly
checked/unchecked, can be done by first left-clicking (combined with <Ctrl> or <Shift> to select
multiple surfaces) the target surface(s) desired for representation, followed by a right-click to access
the contextual menu and choosing Select.

148. Go to the Geometry menu.

149. Select Boundary again to activate boundary representation on active surfaces.
150. Go to the Geometry menu once more.
151. Select Grid to display the surface mesh on active surfaces.

Fast access to mesh representation is ensured using the binding key <g>.

152. Access the Render menu.

153. Select Shading -> Gouraud to shade active surfaces.

154. Make use of the Viewing buttons to modify the representation mode and locate the pump to outline the
blade and hub in a clear way.
155. Press the binding key <g> to deactivate the mesh on active surfaces.
156. Go to the Geometry menu.
157. Select Repetition Number.
158. Set the number of repetition to <6> <Enter>.

159. Right-click to quit.

160. Open the Geometry menu.
161. Select Repetition on/off.

162. Go to the File menu.

163. Select Print ... .

Pictures can be printed in different formats, either on the active or graphics windows. Information can
be introduced in a banner, possibly with current date of execution. Options related to picture
definition can also be modified.
164. Select Active View.
165. Set banner to <SHF PUMP> and press <Enter>.
166. Set the format to PNG.

167. Click OK.

168. Set the picture name and appropriate location.
169. Click Save.

The selection of Graphics Window is recommended to insert several pictures in a unique file, as they
appear on the graphical window (WYSIWYG = what you see is what you get mode).

The ".png" format is often the preferred choice for printing.

170. Go to Update -> Delete -> All.

171. Go to Geometry -> Repetition on/off.
172. Select Quantity -> Solid Data -> y+.
173. Choose Representation -> Color Contour -> Strip.
174. Select Representation -> Scalar Range -> Colormap Optimum Range.

The parietal coordinate y+ is now enabled on active surfaces (hub and blade). The range of
representation has been adapted automatically to variations on the selected surfaces, so as to outline
details as efectively as possible.
175. Make use of the Viewing buttons to modify the representation mode and find a suitable viewpoint.

176. Access the Representation menu.

177. Select Isolines -> Isolines....
178. Activate increment mode.
179. Change Value to <0.5> <Enter>.
180. Set min range to <0> <Enter>.
181. Set max range to <8> <Enter>.
182. Activate Color Uniform.
183. Click Apply.
184. Close the dialog box.

Gradients are clearly observed nearby the leading and trailing edge of the blade, consequently locally
driving y+ values up to about 7. The combination of color contours and isolines representation allows
the main characteristics of the flow to be outlined in a clear and elegant manner.
Blade-to-Blade View
185. Go to Update -> Delete -> All.
186. Go to Representation -> Colormap to remove the colormap.
187. Open the Render menu.
188. Select Shading -> Gouraud.
189. Go to Geometry menu.
190. Select Blade to Blade Surface ... .
191. Set Surface type to Blade to blade.
192. Set S to <0.5> <Enter> (section located 50% spanwise).
193. Click the Apply button.

194. Click the Save button.

195. Click Close to quit the dialog box.

CFView™ integrates the possibility to create cuts at constant spanwise position (also called "blade-to-
blade" planes). This capability is especially useful when the endwalls are not planar. The surface for
representation at constant spanwise position is then created based on linear interpolation between
the endwalls.

Pressing the Save button in the dialog box creates an additional surface for representation in
the Surfaces area, enabling quantity selection and representation as discussed in the previous
sections.

196. Left-click CUT1 in the Surfaces area.

197. Right-click to access the contextual menu.
198. Choose Select in order to select CUT1 as the only active surface for representation.
199. Go to the Quantity menu.
200. Select Field Data -> Field Data -> Basic Quantities -> Absolute Total Pressure.
201. Open the Representation menu.
202. Select Color Contour -> Smooth.
203. Open the Representation menu again.
204. Now, select Scalar Range -> Colormap Optimum Range.

Colormap Optimum Range restricts the bounds of the colormap to those related to active surfaces
instead of the complete 3D domain. This capability is useful to outline a number of details in a clearer

manner. It can also be accessed by pressing the icon.

205. Left-click the colormap.

206. Right-click and select Move or Resize.
207. Drag and drop the colormap to an appropriate location.
208. Move the mouse to a corner of the colormap to adjust the size.

It is advised to put the colormap at a location where it does not interfere with the representation, to
avoid any difficulty in the interpretation of the results.

209. Left-click the colormap.

210. Right-click and select Smooth Only.

211. Access the Quantity menu.

212. Select Field Data -> Basic Quantities -> Wxyz.
213. Go to the Representation menu.
214. Click Vector Type ... .
215. Choose Tangent Component in Representation Type.
216. Select Color Uniform under Vector Size.
217. Click Apply.
218. Click the Close button to quit the dialog box.
219. Go to Representation -> Vector On Grid Nodes.
220. Make use of the Viewing buttons to modify the representation mode and zoom in near the leading edge of
the blade.

The representation of velocity vectors in relative frame of reference (Wxyz) outlines the quality of the
flow impinging the blade. Ideally, these vectors should be aligned with the blade. In off-design
conditions, the alignment may not be adequate, possibly leading to flow separation.

Turbomachinery Mode
221. Open the File menu.
222. Select Turbomachinery.
223. Choose Load Flow Solver Pitch Average under Meridional Average.
224. Click Ok.
You have now entered the Turbomachinery mode! It gives simultaneous access to meridional,
meridional average, blade-to-blade and 3D views.

Actions required for surface representation, quantity selection and representation apply similarly to
those described in the previous sections. More details can be found in the CFView™ User Manual.