CFD - Modelling and simulation of flow through a Flowbench
Modelling and simulation of a flow through a flowbench
Objective
To model a flowbench in solidworks and run a flow simulation to study the mass flow rate,velocity and pressure according to the various valve lift parameters of the flowbench valve.
Procedure
- The Flowbench is modelled in approximated dimensions on solidworks.
- The valve is constrained in such a way that the lift is varied between 8 design points specified.
- Flow simultation is setup with the inlet , outlet and wall boudary conditions and other related constraints are added.
- Air is given at the inlet at 10m/s.
- The Mesh are defined to a suitable value to get a very accurate description
- Global goals are setup for mass flow rate, velocity and pressure around the valve geometry.
- The Grid dependecy test is set up for mass flow rate, total pressure and velocity the varying heights of the valve
- The flow simulation is run
- The post processing data is obtained and the cut plots for velocity are derived.
Fig : The flowbench geometry made in solidworks
The various Cut Plots obtained from the flow simulation result:
Given below are the various velocity cut plots for the grid dependecy test for the various design point of valve lift parameters. Taken between a total of 8 values and the results are compared.
Design point 1
Design point 2
Design point 3
Design point 4
Design point 5
Design point 6
Design point 7
Design point 8
Given below are the various comparison results for the grid dependecy test showing the mass flow rate, velocity and total pressure around the valve geometry for different valve lift parameters.
Conclusion
As the valve lift increases the mass flow rate also increases and the velocity of air is proprortion to the increase in mass flow rate thus decrease in pressure. In our study we see a steady increment till design point 5 and then a drop in velocity because of drop in pressure due to a fully open valve thus satisfying bernoulli's theorem.
P.s The entire project window seems to have a weird orientation/layout once i preview or publish the project please take that into connsideration