Flow simulation analysis on a flowbench using SolidWorks (Computational Fluid Dynamics)

Aim:

To perform a flowbench setup with different valve lift distance. also, analyse the massflow rate variation for each configurations of valve lift with plots.

Objective:

1. Create a 3D-model of an engine cylinder and valve setup over wich basic flowbench analysis can be done
2. setup a flow simulation analysis with appropriate boundry conditions
3. perform a grid dependency test to find best mesh size
4. Perform analysis over different valve lift distances

System parameters

Boundry conditions:

1. Total pressure of 35000Pa inside cylinder
2. Static pressure at outlet

Valve lift :

1mm to 8mm (7 discrete valuse in-between)

Surface goals: Mass-flow rate

Cutplots: velocity and pressure

Model:

Analysis results:

Grid dependency test:

Design point 1:

Design point 2:

Design point 3:

Hence, from the above plots it is evident that design point 2 is the best configuration giving better results for velocities and massflow rate.

Mesh configuration:

Nx = 75, Ny = 75, Nz = 30

Parametric study:

Valve lift distances

Design point 1: 0.001mm

Design point 2: 0.00216mm

Design point 3: 0.0033mm

Design point 4: 0.0045mm

Design point 5: 0.0056mm

Design point 6: 0.0068mm

Design point 7: 0.008mm

Design point 1:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

flow trajectories:

Design point 2:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

flow trajectories:

Design point 3:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

flow trajectories:

Design point 4:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

flow trajectories:

Design point 5:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

flow trajectories:

Design point 6:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

flow trajectories:

Design point 7:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

flow trajectories:

Mass flow rates for each design points:

Valve-Lift vs mass flow rate:

Conclusion:

Flow simulation analysis over the flowbench is performed and the results for mass flow rate are found. The velocity and pressure plots are plotted for the best mesh configuration as analysed in the grid dependency test performed.

Hence, from the analysis it is found that the massflow rate increases as the valve lift is increased.