Universidad de San Buenaventura

Programa de Ingeniería Aeronáutica FI

Taller N° 2 CFD de hidráulica

CFD PROJECT

It is required to stablish the pressure losses within an elbow as is shown in the Figure 1. By doing so,
each engineering group must analyze the viscous effects at the boundary layer, closer to the duct
wall. Based on the results found, the group must give a solution to reduce flow losses across the
elbow. With the aim to provide reliable results, it is required to undertake a mesh independency
study and Y plus analysis. The following activities will have to be explained:

1. Based on the topics seen in class, each group must determine the following parameters of duct
and fluid:
a. Calculate and explain the length and diameter of the duct. The angle and type of elbow is
given by the lecturer.
b. Calculate and explain the flow characteristics, within it should be calculate pressure,
velocity, temperature, fluid viscosity and density at the inlet of the duct.
c. Calculate theoretically the length of the duct based on the type of elbow.

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3-5 Group 4

Figure 1. Elbow with different angle

2. Once the duct and fluid parameter have been calculated and explained, the following activities
of mesh study must be done:
a. Explain the initial mesh, showing number of blocks, type of association and refinement.
b. Calculate and explain the number of nodes and elements. By doing so, each group must
demonstrate the number of mesh required for the mesh independence analysis. A table will
be shown with the increment factor, number of nodes and elements.
c. Each mesh must be explained individually based on the mesh density, increment factor,
quality factor (2x2x2x, aspect ratio, etc.), number of nodes and elements.

3. Once the number of mesh and explanation have been done individually, a y plus factor must be
demonstrated:
a. Based on the fluid inlet conditions have been stablished, the group must calculate and
explain the boundary layer refinement based on the y plus principle.
b. The thickness of the boundary layer must calculate base of the Reynolds number and by
using the y plus calculator application.
c. Once the layer thickness has been calculated, each mesh must be refined
4. Based on the y plus study, boundary layer thickness calculation, number of meshes and inlet
boundary conditions, the group must undertake a mesh independence study, calculating and
showing the following parameters:
a. Explain all the simulation parameters such us boundary conditions, solver, turbulence
method, etc.
b. Calculate and explain a rake-line to undertake the mesh independency study downstream
of the elbow. The distance of the study line show be explained in detail.
c. For the mesh independence study, plot and explain the following xy graphs:
- Temperature and number of nodes (depends upon the number of meshes)
- Velocity and number of nodes
- Pressure and number of nodes
- Velocity profile
- Y plus
- kinematic viscosity
d. Plot and explain the following contours:
- Temperature
- Pressure
- Velocity
- Turbulence vectors
-
5. Based on the mesh independency study, Y+ study and mesh selected, calculate, and determine:
a. Pressure drop along the elbow and downstream
b. Velocity profile and wall shear stress
c. Calculate and explain the hydrodynamic region and region of fully developed flow
d. Calculate and explain the friction factor (take into consideration the deflection angle if
needed)
e. Calculate the and explain the flow rate (take into consideration the deflection angle if
needed)
f. Calculate and explain the pump requirement (take into consideration the deflection angle
if needed)
g. Calculate and explain the head losses (take into consideration the deflection angle if
needed)
h. Calculate the maximum and average velocity. Then compare it with the results obtained
from fluent. Explain you results and comparation.

The groups are defined as follows:

Groups 1: Diego Cepeda

Groups 2: Isabella Ferreira

Groups 3: Kevin Abreu

Groups 4: Esau Gonzalez

Groups 5: Cristian Salazar

Youtube references.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSWxKMrfAjo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPYB_YZXeYs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LTayj8Xcmo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF06grv299A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p-qbEArdYw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjOBhaL55n4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iHMyVPvgFs