Forced convection with OF
 

Hi,

I would like to simulate a forced convection heat transfer problem using OF. The flow is incompressible and turbulent.

Any hints for the choose of the right solver, BCs and other settings are welcome.

Thanks,

Andrea

For heat transfer problems with incompressible flow, take a look at bouyantBoussinesqSimpleFoam and buoyantBoussinesqPimpleFoam, for steady state and transient calculations respectively. There are a couple of tutorials included in OpenFOAM

Hi Roman,

thank you for your reply.
These solvers are suitable only for buoyant flows, or are still valid in case of forced convection?

yes, they are also valid for forced convection. The "buoyant" part of the name just states that they use the boussinesq approximation for buoyancy, where small changes in density are modeled through a temperature difference. but other than that the density is constant.

Ok, their names are a little bit misleading.
I'll have a look to the source code and run some test cases.

Thank you for the infos.

Andrea

Hej,

it doesn't really matter that the buoyant part this is in the solver, since in forced convection your change in density and the buoyancy forces associated with it will be minimal (the flow will not be affected by it). Therefore, the solvers can be used for forced convection and for natural convection.

Hi Andrea,

I am also simulating forced convection over a solar panel in the atmospheric boundary layer. I am using buoyantBoussinesqPimpleFoam. Based on nOuterCorrectors you can switch between Pimple and Piso. Also, I am using 0 gravity which makes p and p_rgh same. However, I am facing bounding problem with omega specially (using SST k omega), trying different limited schemes, no luck yet.

But, to test the solver, I ran a simulation with forced convection over a flat plate with high Re and found a good match with the turbulent boundary layer correlation in theory. Also, I think to solve forced convection correctly, boundary layer has to be resolved completely (y+<1) without using wall functions.

Jubayer

Hi Jubayer,
Unfortunately I had to stop my testing with OF in forced convection because right now I'm pretty busy with other undertakings; however I would be glad if you can attach your convection over a flat plate case.

Thanks in advance,

Andrea

You can download it from here


Jubayer

Thank you so much

Andrea