Computational Fluid Dynamics With SolidWorks

Laminar Flow in a Pipe

Laminar flow in a pipe is determined by the Reynolds number. The Reynolds number has to be less than 2000 for laminar flow conditions to exits.

where is the density of the fluid v is the velocity of the fluid d is the pipe diameter is the dynamic viscosity of the pipe.

In this study SolidWorks will be used to investigate the flow of water in a straight pipe. The pipe has an internal diameter of 25 mm and an external diameter of 28mm. The surface roughness of the pipe is 8 m. The fluid properties of water are:
Table 1 Fluid properties of water

Property Density Dynamic Viscosity

Symbol

Value 1000 1.002x10-3

Units kg/m3

The Reynolds number for this analysis is to be 1000. This would be achieved with a velocity of 0.0401m/s.

SolidWorks
The first stage of the analysis is to define the geometry in SolidWorks.

Create a New Part. Choose Extrude Boss/Base from the Features menu. On the Right Plane draw two circles with their centres at the origin. Dimension the circles with one at 25 mm diameter and the other at 28mm. Exit the sketch. Extrude by 300mm Right Click on Boss-Extrude1 and select Change Transparency from the resulting menu. Save the part

To start a fluid flow analysis the part must be saved. The pipe has been made transparent so that the internal portion can be seen. This helps with selection and result viewing. The flow simulation can now begin.

Tools Add-Ins... Tick the SolidWorks Flow Simulation 2011 Active Add-ins box [OK]

A Flow Simulation tab should appear above the graphics window. The problem domain needs to be defined. For a analysis of internal flow SolidWorks needs to have surfaces to define where the fluid flows from and where it flows to. This is achieved by creating Lids at all entry and exit positions. In this case a lid is required at either end of the pipe.

Select the Flow Simulation Tab Select the Lids icon Select the two flat surfaces at either end of the pipe Accept the selection

The screen should now appear as in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Pipe with lids

The details of the problem can now be defined using the flow Wizard.

Select the Wizard icon The project configuration dialogue box appears. Change the Configuration name: to Laminar-Pipe In the Comments: box add Re=1000

[Next>]

As the pipe dimensions are in millimetres:

Select NMM (mm-g-s) as the Unit system: [Next>]

As the flow is internal and the reference axis is X the default settings can be accepted. [Next>]

The fluid used for the simulation needs to be defined. SolidWorks provides a database of properties of fluids and gases. Expand the [+] Liquids entry. Scroll down the list to the bottom Select Water [Add]

The surface roughness of the pipe is added at this stage. Change Roughness to 8 micrometers [Next>]

This results in the Initial Conditions dialogue box. The default initial conditions are fine for this analysis.

[Next>]

[Finish] The slider for the results resolution increases the fineness of the grid. For this initial analysis the default analysis will be chosen. Note that increasing the results resolution will lengthen the analysis considerably.

In the property manager an additional tab has appeared. This is the Flow Simulation Analysis tree. The next stage of the analysis is to apply the boundary conditions. The inlet flow conditions can be set to fluid velocity, mass flow rate or Right click Boundary Condition Insert boundary conditions... Highlight the Faces to apply boundary conditions box and select the inner face of the lid at the domain origin. Select Inlet Velocity from the Type list In the Flow Parameters enter the velocity (40.1mm/s) in the V box on the flow simulation tree

Select OK

Note that there is an option for fully developed flow conditions to exist in the pipe. In this case this has not been chosen and the results will be examined to check if the pipe is long enough for the flow to develop fully. At the other end of the pipe the fluid will exit at a static pressure. The static pressure will be ambient pressure. Right click Boundary Condition Insert boundary conditions... Highlight the Faces to apply boundary conditions box and select the inner face of the lid at the opposite end of the pipe from the origin. Select Pressure Openings In the Type options select Static Pressure The default values of pressure and temperature are shown for the static pressure. These are the values to be used for this analysis. Select OK on the flow simulation tree

A goal now has to be set. The goal is the value of one of the unknowns being calculated which is to be used to determine when the solution has converged. In this case the solution will cease when the average static pressure at the outlet has converged.

Right Click Goals

in the flow analysis tree

Select Insert Global Goals...

Tick the Av (average) box on the Static P(ressure) row. Select OK

The analysis set-up is now complete. The analysis can now be run.

Select the Run icon Select [Run]

A solver dialogue box now appears.

It shows information as to how the analysis is

progressing. A message will appear at the bottom of the dialogue box when the solver has finished. The results can now be reviewed. SolidWorks offers a whole range of different options for view fluid flow results.

Right click Cut Plots

Insert... Click on the Contours icon (to deselect it)

Click on the Isolines icon Change Pressure to Velocity Change the number of levels to 30 Select OK

This shows a series of lines of constant velocity. It can be seen from the plot that the velocity profiles changes from the inlet to the outlet. This is because the flow has not fully developed all the way along the pipe. It can be seen that towards the outlet end of the pipe the contours seem to be indicating that fully developed flow may have been achieved. It can be seen from the scale that the fluid velocity is higher along the centre of the pipe and reduces towards the wall of the pipe. This would be expected as the velocity at the wall would normally be considered to be zero.

The profile of the velocity at any cross section can be viewed. Right Click Cut Plot 1 Hide

Right Click Cut Plots Insert... Set the view so that the screen shows the front plane. Select the Normal to screen, Vertically icon A line appears on the screen and a box (Vertical Position) with a value of 500. Changing this value moves the line on the screen to the left or the right. Set the value so that the line in near the exit of the pipe In the Contour box change Pressure to Velocity

Select the 3D profile icon Select OK

This shows the velocity profile at the section.