Washing machine simulation using VOF
 

Hi Fluent experts,

I´m trying to simulate a vertical washing machine using VOF.

I´ve done a cylinder with it´s side face rotating at 5 rad/s, created two phases (air and water), I´m using k-e NRG turbulent model, but when I´m solving, it doesn´t converge.

Any tips?? does anyone did something like this?? It´s just a rotating fluid in a cilinder with two phases, but can´t get it to work.

Did you patch the water/air volume fraction? the water phase also need to define a swirl velocity.

yes, I´ve patched the water fraction, the swirl velocity is defined as a boundary condition in the outer face, rotating around a central axis.

only define a velocity boundary is not enough.I advise you define a custom field function about the initial swirl velocity for the water phase,that is good for the convergence.

Are you doing a steady state or transient case? Can you try using the rotating reference frames rather then just wall rotating velocity?

I´ve done a initial swirl function, but stil doesn´t work

i´m running the transient case to see how is the behaviour of the simulation, because the steady one didn´t converge.

My suggestion, check your mesh. Do not necessarily increase cell numbers, but check its structure, how well it is made. In my past, what I figured out if mesh looks "nasty" then sometimes often simulation might not even start.

Felipe,do u have any materials or literature regarding the washing machine simulation?

CFD Analysis of Washing machine Pulsator
 

Hi there,

I am doing the CFD analysis of pulsator of washing machine and using MRF approach. Solution is diverging. I am giving rpm to rotating zone so is there a need to give swirl velocity also? Can anyone please suggest the better way of simulating this problem? I have tried fine mesh too so please suggest the approach.