Symmetry problem
 

Hello

I conducted a simulation un natural convection for an annular finned tube heat exchanger and because the model was in the shape of an horizontal cylinder I used a vertical symmetry plan.

My question is if the obtained results should be doubled or not.

If anyone can answer this question I would really appreciate it and thank you.

Depends, what values are you looking at? If it is something like Cd then that should be fine as it is related to the area, however if you are looking at forces (drag for instance) then yes.

Thank you very much for the quick reply.

The parameter I'm looking for is heat flux rate on the outer surface which is submitted to a Pressure outlet boundary condition. Can you tell me if I use the obtained value as it is or I should doubled it.

I forget to mention that I used the values as it is and I did a comparison with multiple correlation and the results were in an agreement.

and thank you so much again for the help and sorry about my english.

Is the value dimentional or non-dimentional? When you say heat flux is that normalized or measured in Watts or J/s?

If your comparison uses experimental data then go with whatever the corrolation suggests, whether it be double or not. Apologies as I am unsure of what you meant by comparison with multiple correlation.

Hope this helps,

Tait

I meant by multiple that I used 2 experimental correlations and the value is measured in W.

and thank you for the help I really appreciate it a lot.

If your experimental values match up with 2x your half-simulation, and it is dimentional then yess you should multiply it by 2.

My pleasure, hope it works. Feel free to ask anything else you need on this thread if something else occours.

Tait