Using reference frame motion or mesh motion?

jiejie · July 26, 2013, 00:44

Dear fluent user

I am new to the Fluent to simulate a rotating propeller with the full geometry of the propeller. I have gone through the tutorial with mixing plane model and sliding mesh. In both cases, only a fraction of the propeller was modelled. I am just wondering whether it is possible to simulate the rotating propeller by rotating the entire domain. Here is the attempt I used so far:

1. load the propeller geometry into ICEMCFD and build a cylindrical flow domain (fluid zone) around the propeller
2. load the mesh into Fluent, set the "fluid zone" with "Frame motion" in the cell zone conditions with the appropriate rotational speed.
3. set the propeller and hub as stationary wall in the boundary conditions since they are rotating with the "fluid zone"
4. set the "side wall" of the domain as moving wall with absolute speed of zero (followed the mixing plane tutorial).
5. run the case with the standard k-e model.

I am just wondering whether this is the appropriate approach to perform a full rotating domain simulation?

Thanks a lot.

delaneyluke · July 30, 2013, 15:37

For pumps/fans/props, the need for dynamic mesh motion is required only for positive displacement i.e there is a change in volume. Else, the reference frame method is what you can use.
Regards
Luke

jiejie · July 30, 2013, 19:21

Thanks for the reply Luke =)

Another question regarding to the pathline plot. If I want to plot the pathline not in the reference frame motion, should I turn on "Relative Pathline" or not? When I plot the pathline with "Relative Pathline" option on, all the pathlines at the upstream of the propeller rotate as well.

Cheers,

Jie

devanson · August 7, 2013, 15:49

Hi JieJie,
I am currently doing the same analysis. The CFD simulation of flow through propeller (UAV). Which approach you used? Which one gave use appropriate result and had you got pathline plot?

jiejie · August 7, 2013, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by devanson

Hi JieJie,
I am currently doing the same analysis. The CFD simulation of flow through propeller (UAV). Which approach you used? Which one gave use appropriate result and had you got pathline plot?

Hi Devanson

I am using the reference frame approach.

Cheers

vasava · August 8, 2013, 01:29

I have been practicing the mixing problem for some time now. I have tried both dynamic mesh as well as the MFR. The dynamic mesh is turning out to be more time expensive and it requires a proper setup of the 'dynamic mesh' parameters.

July 26, 2013, 00:44	Using reference frame motion or mesh motion?	#1
jiejie Senior Member Jie Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 134 Rep Power: 16	Dear fluent user I am new to the Fluent to simulate a rotating propeller with the full geometry of the propeller. I have gone through the tutorial with mixing plane model and sliding mesh. In both cases, only a fraction of the propeller was modelled. I am just wondering whether it is possible to simulate the rotating propeller by rotating the entire domain. Here is the attempt I used so far: 1. load the propeller geometry into ICEMCFD and build a cylindrical flow domain (fluid zone) around the propeller 2. load the mesh into Fluent, set the "fluid zone" with "Frame motion" in the cell zone conditions with the appropriate rotational speed. 3. set the propeller and hub as stationary wall in the boundary conditions since they are rotating with the "fluid zone" 4. set the "side wall" of the domain as moving wall with absolute speed of zero (followed the mixing plane tutorial). 5. run the case with the standard k-e model. I am just wondering whether this is the appropriate approach to perform a full rotating domain simulation? Thanks a lot. rusham likes this.

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July 30, 2013, 15:37		#2
delaneyluke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indiana, US Posts: 186 Rep Power: 17	For pumps/fans/props, the need for dynamic mesh motion is required only for positive displacement i.e there is a change in volume. Else, the reference frame method is what you can use. Regards Luke

July 30, 2013, 19:21		#3
jiejie Senior Member Jie Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 134 Rep Power: 16	Thanks for the reply Luke =) Another question regarding to the pathline plot. If I want to plot the pathline not in the reference frame motion, should I turn on "Relative Pathline" or not? When I plot the pathline with "Relative Pathline" option on, all the pathlines at the upstream of the propeller rotate as well. Cheers, Jie

August 7, 2013, 15:49		#4
devanson New Member Dinesh Babu Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 23 Rep Power: 15	Hi JieJie, I am currently doing the same analysis. The CFD simulation of flow through propeller (UAV). Which approach you used? Which one gave use appropriate result and had you got pathline plot?

August 8, 2013, 01:29		#6
vasava Senior Member Paritosh Vasava Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lappeenranta, Finland Posts: 732 Rep Power: 22	I have been practicing the mixing problem for some time now. I have tried both dynamic mesh as well as the MFR. The dynamic mesh is turning out to be more time expensive and it requires a proper setup of the 'dynamic mesh' parameters.