Workshop 09

Tank Flush
14.5 Release

Introduction to ANSYS
CFX
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

December 17, 2012

Release 14.5

Introduction
Workshop Description:

This workshop models a water tank filling and then

emptying through a siphon. The problem is transient and
solved as a two-fluid, multiphase case (air + water).
An initial water level is set in the tank. The water supply is
turned on for the first second of the simulation and then
shut off for the rest of the simulation. The water level rises
until water flows out the U-tube generating a siphoning
effect which effectively empties the tank.
Learning Aims:
This workshop introduces several new skills:
Setting up and post-processing a transient
simulation
Setting up a multiphase simulation
Using if statements to initialize physics

Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
2

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Mesh Import
1. Start Workbench, add a CFX Component System and edit Setup to
start CFX-Pre
2. Right-click on Mesh > Import Mesh > ICEM CFD
3. Set the Mesh Units to cm
For some mesh formats it is important to know the units used to generate
the mesh

4. Import the mesh called flush.cfx5

Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
3

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Define Simulation Type

The first step is to change the Analysis Type to Transient:
1. Edit the Analysis Type object in the Outline tree
2. Set the Option for Analysis Type to Transient

3. Set the Total Time to 2.5 [s]

4. Set the Timesteps to 0.01 [s] and click OK
The simulation will have 250 timesteps

Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
4

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Edit Default Domain

1. Edit Default Domain from the Outline tree

2. Delete Fluid 1 under Fluid and Particle

Definition
3. Click on the New icon

4. Name the new fluid Air

5. Set the Material to Air at 25C and the
Morphology to Continuous Fluid

6. Create another fluid named Water

7. Set the Material to Water and the Morphology
to Continuous Fluid
Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
5

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Edit Default Domain

8. Turn on Buoyancy and set the (X, Y, Z) gravity
components to (0, -g, 0)

Use the expression icon to enter -g ( g is a built-in

constant )

9. Set the Buoy. Ref. Density to 1.185 [kg m^-3]

This is the density of Air at 25 C. In this simulation

there is a distinct interface between the two fluids,
rather than one being dispersed in the other. For a
free-surface model such as this, the buoyancy
reference density is set to that of the less dense fluid.
The hydrostatic head then appears in the pressure field
of the more dense fluid, which is more natural. Also the
momentum source is added to the fluid with the
greater inertia, making the solution more stable.
Search the help for Buoyancy in Multiphase Flow
(including the quotes in the search) for more details.
Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
6

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Edit Default Domain

10. Switch to the Fluid Models tab
11. Under Multiphase enable the Homogeneous
Model
This makes the simplifying assumption that both
phases share the same velocity field

12. Set the Free Surface Model Option to

Standard
This changes some solver numerics to resolve the free
surface interface better

13. Under Heat Transfer enable the

Homogeneous Model toggle and set the
Option to None
14. Set the Turbulence Model Option to k-Epsilon
Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
7

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Edit Default Domain

15. Switch to the Fluid Pair Models tab
16. Enable the Surface Tension Coefficient toggle
and set the coefficient to 0.072 [N m^1]
17. Under Surface Tension Force set the Option to
Continuum Surface Force
18. Set the Primary Fluid to Water

For liquid-gas, free-surface flows the primary

fluid should be the liquid

19. Under Interphase Transfer set the Option to

Free Surface
20. Click OK to complete the changes to the
domain
Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
8

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Create Boundary Conditions

Start by creating an Opening boundary at the top of the tank to allow
air to escape as the tank is filled:
1. Insert a new boundary named Ambient
2. Set the Boundary Type to Opening and the Location to AMBIENT
3. On the Boundary Details tab set the Mass and Momentum Option
to Opening Pres. And Dirn with a Relative Pressure of 0 [Pa]
4. On the Fluid Values tab set the Volume Fraction of Air to 1 and the
Volume Fraction of Water to 0
5. Click OK to create the boundary

Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
9

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Create Boundary Conditions

Now create the outlet and symmetry boundaries. Since recirculation may occur at
the outlet this boundary will be specified as an Opening to allow flow both into and
out of the domain:
1. Insert a new boundary named Outlet of the Boundary Type, Opening, and
the Location set to OUTLET

2. In the Boundary Details use Opening Pres. And Dirn with a Relative
Pressure of 0 [Pa]
3. In the Fluid Values set the Volume Fraction of Air to 1 and the Volume
Fraction of Water to 0

4. Click OK to create the boundary

5. Insert a Symmetry boundary named Sym1 on the Location SYM1
6. Insert a Symmetry boundary named Sym2 on the Location SYM2
Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
10

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Inlet Water Flow Function

Water flows into the tank at a rate of 0.2 [kg s^-1] for 1 [s], after which time it is
shut off. Therefore the inlet flow rate is a function of time. You will write an
expression using the if() function to define this behavior on the inlet boundary:
1. Right-click on Expressions in the Outline tree and select Insert > Expression
2. Enter the Name as flowProfile
3. Enter the Definition as: if(t<1 [s], 0.2 [kg/s], 0 [kg/s]) and click Apply

4. Insert a new boundary named Inlet

5. Set the Boundary Type to Inlet and the Location to INLET
6. In Boundary Details set Mass and Momentum Option to Bulk Mass Flow Rate

7. Set the Mass Flow Rate to the expression flowProfile

8. In the Fluid Values, set the Volume Fraction of Air to 0 and the Volume
Fraction of Water to 1. Click OK
Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
11

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Define Expressions
Next you will create expressions to define the initial water height and
hydrostatic pressure field. These expressions must define the correct initial
flow field because the transient simulation is started cold (it is not started
from a converged steady-state simulation).

1. Insert the following expressions:

waterHt = 6 [cm]
waterVF = if(y<waterHt,1,0)*if(y>-0.01 [m],1,0)* if(x>-0.028 [m],1,0)
waterDen = 998 [kg m^-3]
HydroP = waterDen * g * (waterHt - y) * waterVF
waterHt is the initial height of the water in the tank. waterVF provides the
initial volume fraction distribution in the tank (see next slide). waterDen is the
density of water. HydroP provides the initial pressure distribution due to the
hydrostatic pressure of water.
Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
12

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Define Expressions
x = - 0.028

The expression for waterVF contains three if()

function terms multiplied together. The first
function, if(y<waterHt,1,0), returns 1 when
y < waterHt. In other words the volume fraction
of water is 1 below the y = waterHt line shown
to the right.
The second if() function returns 1 when y > 0.01[m]. The third function returns 1 when x > 0.028 [m].

y = waterHt
y = - 0.01

The result is that the volume fraction of water is

equal to 1 only in the shaded area shown to the
right. This defines the initial water volume
fraction.

Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
13

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Define Initial Conditions

Now set the initial conditions using these expressions:
1.

Right-click on Flow Analysis 1 in the Outline tree and select Insert > Global
Initialisation

2.

Set all Cartesian Velocities Components to 0 [m s^-1]

3.

Set the Relative Pressure to the expression HydroP

4.

On the Fluid Settings tab set the Volume Fraction for Water to the
expression waterVF. Set the Volume Fraction for Air to the expression 1 waterVF

5.

Click OK to set the initial conditions

Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
14

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Define Transient Results

By default results are only written at the end of the simulation. You must
define transient results to view the intermediate solution:
1. Edit the Output Control object in the Outline tree
2. On the Trn Results tab create a new Transient Results object, accepting the
default Name
3. Set the Option to Selected Variables
This reduces the file size by only writing out selected variables

4. In the Output Variables List, use the icon and the Ctrl key to pick
Air.Volume Fraction, Velocity, and Water.Volume Fraction
5. Under Output Frequency, set the Timestep Interval to 2 and click OK
Transient results will be written every second timestep, thus creating a total of
125 Transient Results files

Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
15

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Create Monitor Point

Next create a monitor point to track the volume of water in the domain during
the solution:
1. Insert a new expression named waterVol with the Definition set to:
volumeInt(Water.Volume Fraction)@Default Domain
This is the volume integral the water volume fraction in the domain

2. Edit the Output Control object in the Outline tree

3. On the Monitor tab, toggle Monitor Options, insert a new Monitor Point
named Water Volume
4. Set the Option to Expression and enter the Expression Value as waterVol,
then click OK

Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
16

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Run Solver
1. Close CFX-Pre and save the project as TankFlush.wbpj
2. In the Project Schematic, Edit the Solution object to start the CFX-Solver
Manager
3. Start the run from the CFX-Solver Manager
You can monitor the volume of water in the domain during the simulation on the
User Points tab
The simulation will take about 30 minutes to complete. Therefore results files
have been provided with this workshop

4. After a few timesteps stop your run from the Project Schematic by rightclicking on the Solution cell and selecting Interrupt Update
5. Select File > Monitor Finished Run in the CFX-Solver Manager
6. Browse to the results file provided with the workshop

Note the shape of the Water Volume curve (User Points) and see that less water is in the
domain at the end of the run than at the beginning
Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
17

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Post-Process Results

1. Using Windows Explorer, locate the

results file supplied, TankFlush_001.res,
and drag it into an empty region of the
Project Schematic
2. A new CFX Solution and Results cell will
appear. Double-click on the Results
object to open the file in CFD-Post

Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
18

Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Post-Process Results
1. Click on Z-axis to align view and turn on Visibility for
Sym1

2. On the Color tab set the Variable to Water.Volume

Fraction and the Color Map to White to Blue
3. Use the Timestep Selector
to load results from
different points in the simulation
4. With the first Timestep loaded open the Animation
tool
5. Select the Quick Animation toggle and select
Timesteps as the object to animate
6. Turn off the Repeat Forever button

7. Enable the Save Movie toggle and then click the

Play icon to animate the results and generate an
MPEG

Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
19

Note that Air (white) becomes

entrained in Water (blue)
Results

Summary
Release 14.5

Summary
A tank flush has been simulated using a transient simulation with multiphase
flow. Due to the nature of transient simulations, they tend to take longer to
solve and post-process.

The results show that a significant amount of air became entrained in the water.
As the Homogeneous multiphase model was used and the fluids shared the
same velocity field, it was not possible for the air to separate out from the water
as a result of buoyancy. In order for this to have happened, the Inhomogeneous
multiphase model would have been required. Each phase would then have had
its own velocity field and the entrained air bubble could have risen relative to the
water.
When running the Inhomogeneous model the entrained phase should be set as
a Dispersed Phase in CFX-Pre.

Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

Setup
December 17, 2012

Solution
20

Results

Summary
Release 14.5