FLUENT - Compressible Flow in a Nozzle- Problem Specification

Problem Specification

Consider air flowing at high-speed through a convergent-divergent nozzle having a circular

cross-sectional area, A, that varies with axial distance from the throat, x, according to the
formula
A = 0.1 + x2; -0.5 < x < 0.5
where A is in square meters and x is in meters. The stagnation pressure po at the inlet is
101,325 Pa. The stagnation temperature To at the inlet is 300 K. The static pressurep at the exit
is 3,738.9 Pa. We will calculate the Mach number, pressure and temperature distribution in the
nozzle using FLUENT and compare the solution to quasi-1D nozzle flow results. The Reynolds
number for this high-speed flow is large. So we expect viscous effects to be confined to a small
region close to the wall. So it is reasonable to model the flow as inviscid.

Step 1: Pre-Analysis & Start-up

Since the nozzle has a circular cross-section, it's reasonable to assume that the flow is
axisymmetric. So the geometry to be created is two-dimensional.
Start GAMBIT
Create a new folder called nozzle and select this as the working directory. Add -id nozzle to
the startup options.
Create Axis Edge
We'll create the bottom edge corresponding to the nozzle axis by creating
vertices A and B shown in the problem specification and joining them by a straight line.
Operation Toolpad > Geometry Command Button
>Create Vertex
Create the following two vertices:
Vertex 1: (-0.5,0,0)
Vertex 2: (0.5,0,0)

>Vertex Command Button

Operation Toolpad > Geometry Command Button

> Edge Command Button

>

Create Edge
Select vertex 1 by holding down the Shift button and clicking on it. Next, select vertex 2.
Click Apply in the Create Straight Edge window.
Create Wall Edge
We'll next create the bottom edge corresponding to the nozzle wall. This edge is curved. Since
A = r2
where r( x ) is the radius of the cross-section at x and
A = 0.1 + x2
for the given nozzle geometry, we get
r( x ) = [(0.1 + x2)/]0.5; -0.5 < x < 0.5
This is the equation of the curved wall. Life would have been easier if GAMBIT allowed for this
equation to be entered directly to create the curved edge. Instead, one has to create a file
containing the coordinates of a series of points along the curved line and read in the file. The
more number of points used along the curved edge, the smoother the resultant edge.
The file vert.dat contains the point definitions for the nozzle wall. Take a look at this file. The first
line is
21 1
which says that there are 21 points along the edge and we are defining only 1 edge. This is
followed by x,r and z coordinates for each point along the edge. The r-value for each x was
generated from the above equation for r( x ) . The z-coordinate is 0 for all points since we have
a 2D geometry.
Right-click on vert.dat and select Save As... to download the file to your working directory.
Main Menu > File > Import > ICEM Input ...
Next to File Name:, enter the path to the vert.dat file that you downloaded or browse to it by
clicking on the Browse button.
Then, check the Vertices and Edges boxes under Geometry to Create as we want to create
the vertices as well as the curved edge.

Click Accept.
This should create the curved edge. Here it is in relation to the vertices we created above:

Higher Resolution Image

Create Inlet and Outlet Edges
Create the vertical edge for the inlet:
Operation Toolpad > Geometry Command Button
Edge

> Edge Command Button > Create

Shift-click on vertex 1 and then the vertex above it to create the inlet edge.
Similarly, create the vertical edge for the outlet.

Higher Resolution Image

Create Face
Form a face out of the area enclosed by the four edges:
Operation Toolpad > Geometry Command Button

>Face Command Button

>Form

Face
Recall that we have to shift-click on each of the edges enclosing the face and then
click Apply to create the face.
Save Your Work
Main Menu > File > Save
This will create the nozzle.dbs file in your working directory. Check that it has been created so
that you will able to resume from here if necessary.

Step 2: Geometry
Now that we have the basic geometry of the nozzle created, we need to mesh it. We would like
to create a 50x20 grid for this geometry.
Mesh Edges
As in the previous tutorials, we will first start by meshing the edges.
Operation Toolpad > Mesh Command Button
Edges

> Edge Command Button

> Mesh

Like the Laminar Pipe Flow Tutorial, we are going to use even spacing between each of the
mesh points. We won't be using the Grading this time, so deselect the box next to Grading that
says Apply.
Then, change Interval Count to 20 for the side edges and Interval Count to 50 for the top and
bottom edges.

Higher Resolution Image

Mesh Face
Now that we have the edges meshed, we need to mesh the face.
Operation Toolpad > Mesh Command Button
> Face Command Button
Faces
As before, select the face and click the Apply button.

> Mesh

Higher Resolution Image

Save Your Work
Main Menu > File > Save

Step 3: Mesh
Specify Boundary Types
Now that we have the mesh, we would like to specify the boundary conditions here in GAMBIT.

Operation Toolpad > Zones Command Button

> Specify Boundary Types Command

Button
This will bring up the Specify Boundary Types window on the Operation Panel. We will first
specify that the left edge is the inlet. Under Entity:, pick Edges so that GAMBITknows we want
to pick an edge (face is default).

Now select the left edge by Shift-clicking on it. The selected edge should appear in the yellow
box next to the Edges box you just worked with as well as the Label/Typelist right under the
Edges box.
Next to Name:, enter inlet.
For Type:, select WALL.
Click Apply. You should see the new entry appear under Name/Type box near the top of the
window.

Repeat for the outlet, centerline, and wall edges.

You should have the following edges in the Name/Type list when finished:

Save and Export

Main Menu > File > Save
Main Menu > File > Export > Mesh...

Type in nozzle.msh for the File Name:. Select Export 2d Mesh since this is a 2 dimensional
mesh. Click Accept.
Check nozzle.msh has been created in your working directory.

Step 4: Setup (Physics)

Useful Information
Icon
These instructions are for FLUENT 6.3.26. Click here for instructions for FLUENT 12.
If you have skipped the previous mesh generation steps 1-3, you can download the mesh by
right-clicking on this link. Save the file as nozzle.msh in your working directory. You can then
proceed with the flow solution steps below.
Launch FLUENT
Start > Programs > Fluent Inc > FLUENT 6.3.26 > FLUENT 6.3.26
Select 2ddp from the list of options and click Run.
Import File
Main Menu > File > Read > Case...
Navigate to your working directory and select the nozzle.msh file. Click OK.
The following should appear in the FLUENT window:

Check that the displayed information is consistent with our expectations of the nozzle grid.
Check and Display Grid
First, we check the grid to make sure that there are no errors.

Main Menu > Grid > Check

Any errors in the grid would be reported at this time. Check the output and make sure that there
are no errors reported.
Grid > Info > Size
How many cells and nodes does the grid have?
Main Menu > Display > Grid
Make sure all items under Surfaces is selected. Then click Display. The graphics window
opens and the grid is displayed in it.
Some of the operations available in the graphics window are:
Translation: The grid can be translated in any direction by holding down the Left Mouse
Button and then moving the mouse in the desired direction.
Zoom In: Hold down the Middle Mouse Button and drag a box from the Upper Left Hand
Corner to the Lower Right Hand Corner over the area you want to zoom in on.
Zoom Out: Hold down the Middle Mouse Button and drag a box anywhere from the Lower
Right Hand Corner to the Upper Left Hand Corner.
The grid has 50 divisions in the axial direction and 20 divisions in the radial direction. The total
number of cells is 50x20=1000. Since we are assuming inviscid flow, we won't be resolving the
viscous boundary layer adjacent to the wall. (The effect of the boundary layer is small in our
case and can be neglected.) Thus, we don't need to cluster nodes towards the wall. So the grid
has uniform spacing in the radial direction. We also use uniform spacing in the axial direction.
Look at specific parts of the grid by choosing each boundary (centerline, inlet, etc) listed
under Surfaces in the Grid Display menu. Click to select and click again to deselect a specific
boundary. Click Display after you have selected your boundaries.
Define Solver Properties
Define > Models > Solver...
We see that FLUENT offers two methods ("solvers") for solving the governing equations:
Pressure-Based and Density-Based. To figure out the basic difference between these two
solvers, let's turn to the documentation.
Main Menu > Help > User's Guide Contents ...
This should bring up FLUENT 6.3 User's Guide in your web browser. If not, access the User's
Guide from the Start menu: Start > Programs > Fluent Inc Products > Fluent 6.3
Documentation > Fluent 6.3 Documentation. This will bring up the FLUENT documentation in
your browser. Click on the link to the user's guide.
Go to chapter 25 in the user's guide; it discusses the Pressure-Based and Density-Based
solvers. Section 25.1 introduces the two solvers:
"Historically speaking, the pressure-based approach was developed for low-speed
incompressible flows, while the density-based approach was mainly used for high-speed
compressible flows. However, recently both methods have been extended and reformulated to
solve and operate for a wide range of flow conditions beyond their traditional or original intent."

"In both methods the velocity field is obtained from the momentum equations. In the densitybased approach, the continuity equation is used to obtain the density field while the pressure
field is determined from the equation of state."
"On the other hand, in the pressure-based approach, the pressure field is extracted by solving a
pressure or pressure correction equation which is obtained by manipulating continuity and
momentum equations."
Mull over this and the rest of this section. So which solver do we use for our nozzle problem?
Turn to section 25.7.1 in chapter 25:
"The pressure-based solver traditionally has been used for incompressible and mildly
compressible flows. The density-based approach, on the other hand, was originally designed for
high-speed compressible flows. Both approaches are now applicable to a broad range of flows
(from incompressible to highly compressible), but the origins of the density-based formulation
may give it an accuracy (i.e. shock resolution) advantage over the pressure-based solver for
high-speed compressible flows."
Since we are solving a high-speed compressible flow, let's pick the density-based solver.
In the Solver menu, select Density Based.
Under Space, choose Axisymmetric. This will solve the axisymmetric form of the governing
equations.

Click OK.
Define > Models > Viscous
Select Inviscid under Model.

Click OK. This means the solver will neglect the viscous terms in the governing equations.
Define > Models > Energy
The energy equation needs to be turned on since this is a compressible flow where the energy
equation is coupled to the continuity and momentum equations.
Make sure there is a check box next to Energy Equation and click OK.

Define > Materials

Select air under Fluid materials. Under Properties, choose Ideal Gas next to Density. You
should see the window expand. This means FLUENT uses the ideal gas equation of state to
relate density to the static pressure and temperature.

Click Change/Create. Close the window.

Define > Operating Conditions

We'll work in terms of absolute rather than gauge pressures in this example. So set Operating
Pressure in the Pressure box to 0.

Click OK.
It is important that you set the operating pressure correctly in compressible flow calculations
since FLUENT uses it to compute absolute pressure to use in the ideal gas law.
Define > Boundary Conditions
Set boundary conditions for the following surfaces: inlet, outlet, centerline, wall.
Select inlet under Zone and pick pressure-inlet under Type as its boundary condition.
Click Set.... The Pressure Inlet window should come up.
Set the total pressure (noted as Gauge Total Pressure in FLUENT) at the inlet to 101,325 Pa
as specified in the problem statement. For a subsonic inlet,Supersonic/Initial Gauge
Pressure is the initial guess value for the static pressure. This initial guess value can be
calculated from the 1D analysis since we know the area ratio at the inlet. This value is 99,348
Pa. Note that this value will be updated by the code. After you have entered the values,
click OK to close the window.

Check that under the Thermal tab, the Total Temperature is 300 K. Click OK.
Using the same steps as above, pick pressure-outlet as the boundary condition for
the outlet surface. Then, when the Pressure Outlet window comes up, set the pressure to
3738.9 as specified in the problem statement. Click OK.

Set the centerline zone to axis boundary type.

Make sure that wall zone is set to wall boundary type.

Step 5: Solution
Useful Information
Icon
These instructions are for FLUENT 6.3.26. Click here for instructions for FLUENT 12.
Now we will set the solve settings for this problem and then iterate through and actually solve it.
Solve > Control > Solution
We'll just use the defaults. Note that a second-order discretization scheme will be used.
Click OK.
Set Initial Guess
Main Menu > Solve > Initialize > Initialize...
As you may recall from the previous tutorials, this is where we set the initial guess values for the
iterative solution. We'll set these values to be the ones at the inlet. Selectinlet under Compute
From.

Click Init. The above values of pressure, velocity and temperature are now assigned to each
cell in the grid. This completes the initialization. Close the window.

Set Convergence Criteria

FLUENT reports a residual for each governing equation being solved. The residual is a measure
of how well the current solution satisfies the discrete form of each governing equation. We'll
iterate the solution until the residual for each equation falls below 1e-6.
Main Menu > Solve > Monitors > Residual...
Change the residual under Convergence Criterion for continuity, x-velocity, yvelocity and energy to 1e-6.
Also, under Options, select Plot. This will plot the residuals in the graphics window as they are
calculated.

Click OK.
Iterate Until Convergence
Main Menu > Solve > Iterate...
In the Iterate Window that comes up, change the Number of Iterations to 500. Click Iterate.
The residuals for each iteration is printed out as well as plotted in the graphics window as they
are calculated.
Save case and data after you have obtained a converged solution.

Step 6: Results
Useful Information
Icon
These instructions are for FLUENT 6.3.26. Click here for instructions for FLUENT 12.

Velocity Vector
Let's first look at the velocity vector in the nozzle.
Display > Vectors...
Select Velocity under Vectors of and Velocity... under Color by. Set Scale to 0.4

Click Display.

Higher Resolution Image

We see that the flow is smoothly accelerating from subsonic to supersonic.
To include the lower half of nozzle, do the following:
Icon
Display > Views...
Select centerline and click Apply
White Background on Graphics Window

Icon
To get white background go to:
Main Menu > File > Hardcopy
Make sure that Reverse Foreground/Background is checked and
select Color in Coloring section. Click Preview. Click No when prompted "Reset graphics
window?"

Mach Number Contour

Let's now look at the Mach number
Display > Contours
Select Velocity... under Contours of and select Mach Number. Set Levels to 30.

Click Display.

Higher Resolution Image

For 1D case, mach number is a function of x position. For 1D case, we are supposed to see
vertical contour of mach numbers that are parallel to each other.
For 2D case, we are seeing curving contour of mach number. The deviation from vertical
indicates the 2D effect.
Do note that 1D approximation is fairly accurate around the centerline of nozzle.
Pressure Contour Plot
Let's look at how pressure changes in the nozzle.
Display > Contours...
Select Pressure... and Static Pressure under Contours of. Use Levels of 30

Click Display.

Higher Resolution Image

Notice that the pressure decreases as it flows to the right.

Total Pressure Contour Plot

Let's look at the total pressure in the nozzle
Display > Contours...
Select Pressure... and Total Pressure under Contours of. Select Filled. Use Levels of 100.

Click Display.

Higher Resolution Image

Around the nozzle outlet, we see that there is a pressure loss because of the numerical
dissipation.
Temperature Contour Plot
Let's investigate or verify the temperature properties in the nozzle.
Display > Contours...
Select Temperature... and Static Temperature under Contours of. Use Levels of 30.

Click Display.

Higher Resolution Image

As we can see, the temperature decreases from left to right in the nozzle, indicating a transfer of
internal energy to kinetic energy as the fluid speeds up.
Total Temperature Contour Plot
Let's look at the total pressure in the nozzle
Display > Contours...
Select Temperature... and Total Temperature under Contours of. Select Filled.
Use Levels of 100.

Click Display.

Higher Resolution Image

Looking at the scale, we see that the total temperature is uniform 300 K throughout the nozzle.
The contour abnormality at the outlet of the nozzle is due to the round off errors.
Pressure Plot
Let's look at the pressure along the centerline and the wall.

Plot > XY Plot

Make sure that under Y-Axis Function, you see Pressure... and Static Pressure.
Under Surfaces, select centerline and wall. Click Plot.

Higher Resolution Image

It is good to write the data into a file to have greater flexibility on how to present the result in the
report. At the same XY Plot windows, select Write to File. Then clickWrite... Name the file
"p.xy" in the directory that you prefer.
Open "p.xy" file with notepad or other word processing software. At the top, we see:
(title "Static Pressure")
(labels "Position" "Static Pressure")
First line tells us the properties we are comparing. For our case, we are looking at Static
Pressure.
Second line tells us about the x and y label.
There is a header at the beginning of each the data sets so that we can differentiate which data
sets we are looking at. For our case, we have "centerline" and "wall" data sets.
Following is an example of two data sets (centerline and wall).

((xy/key/label "centerline")
-0.5

97015.3

-0.48

96949.9

.
.
.
0.5

6012.92

((xy/key/label "wall")
-0.5

100853

-0.480911

100496

.
.
.
0.5

2874.7

)
Try copy the appropriate data sets to excel and plot the results.

Mach Number Plot

Let's plot the variation of Mach number in the axial direction at the axis and wall. In addition, we
will plot the corresponding variation from 1D theory. You can download the file
here: mach_1D.xy.Plot > XY PlotUnder the Y Axis Function, select Velocity... and Mach
Number.

Also, since we are going to plot this number at both the wall and axis,
select centerline and wall under Surfaces.
Then, load the mach_1D.xy by clicking on Load File....

Click Plot.

Higher Resolution Image

How does the FLUENT solution compare with the 1D solution?
Is the comparison better at the wall or at the axis? Can you explain this?
Save this plot as machplot.xy by checking Write to File and clicking Write....
Step 7: Verification & Validation
Solve the nozzle flow for the same conditions as used in class on a 80x30 grid. Recall that the
static pressure p at the exit is 3,738.9 Pa. The grid for this calculation can be downloaded here.
(a) Plot the variation of Mach number at the axis and the wall as a function of the axial
distance x. Also, plot the corresponding results obtained on the 50x20 grid used in class and
from the quasi-1D assumption. Recall that the quasi-1D result for the Mach number variation
was given to you in the M_1D.xy file. Note all five curves should be plotted on the same graph
so that you can compare them. You can make the plots in FLUENT, MATLAB or EXCEL.

(b) Plot the variation of static pressure at the axis and the wall as a function of the axial
distance x. Also, plot the corresponding results obtained on the 50x20 grid used in class and
from the quasi-1D assumption. Calculate the static pressure variation for the quasi-1D case
from the Mach number variation given in M_1D.xy.
(c) Plot the variation of static temperature at the axis and the wall as a function of the axial
distance x. Also, plot the corresponding results obtained on the 50x20 grid used in class and
from the quasi-1D assumption. Calculate the static temperature variation for the quasi-1D case
from the Mach number variation given in M_1D.xy.
Comment very briefly on the grid dependence of your results and the comparison with the
quasi-1D results.
Problem 1
Consider the nozzle flow problem solved using FLUENT in the tutorial. Recall that the nozzle
has a circular cross-sectional area, A, that varies with axial distance from the throat, x,
according to the formula:
A = 0.1 + x2
where A is in square meters and x is in meters. The stagnation pressure poand stagnation
temperature To at the inlet are 101,325 Pa and 300 K, respectively.
Using the quasi-1D flow assumption, determine the static pressure at the nozzle inlet and outlet
for the following conditions:
(a) Sonic flow at the throat, and supersonic, isentropic flow in the diverging section.
(b) Sonic flow at the throat, and subsonic, isentropic flow in the diverging section.
(c) Sonic flow at the throat and normal shock at the exit.
Problem 2
Change the exit pressure to 40,000 Pa while keeping all the other boundary conditions the
same. What flow regime do you expect for this exit pressure based on the quasi-1D results
in problem 1? Re-run the FLUENT calculation with this exit pressure on the 50x20 grid.
(a) Plot contours of the Mach number and static pressure for this case. Is the flow regime as
predicted by quasi-1D theory? Explain briefly the possible causes for any similarities or
disparities.
(b) Plot the static and stagnation pressures at the axis as a function of the axial distance. Also,
plot the corresponding values from the case where the exit pressure is 3,738.9 Pa. (These four
curves should be on the same graph.) Explain briefly the salient features of this plot.
(c) Plot the static and stagnation temperatures at the axis as a function of the axial distance.
Again provide a brief explanation for the salient features.