Gravity (g) Influence on Simulation Results
 

Hi, thank you in advance for your taking time and energy to give me your valuable proposals. The problem is as follows.

When we solve N-S equation to obtain the velocity and pressure fields, if gravity g has influence on the final simulation results?

If the answer is 'yes', how do we reflect gravity(g)'s influence on the results using Fluent? Or what should we do using Fluent to consider g's influence?

Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

Re: Gravity (g) Influence on Simulation Results
 

You have to specify gravity acceleration in the Define->Operating conditions panel.

There, you can define along which axis gravity acceleration is aligned, or insert its components along the axes, if it's not aligned with one of them.

Hi :)

ap

Re: Gravity (g) Influence on Simulation Results
 

Hi, AP,

Thank you for your kind response. The problem I met is the simulation results seem not to change with the gravity levels (g=0, g=2, and g=9.81 m/s2) although I made the same specifications as you suggested. Therefore I wonder if I should specially add g in source term with Fluent.

Hope your further suggestions.

Re: Gravity (g) Influence on Simulation Results
 

If you use FLUENT internal models you don't need to add a source term for gravity, but you just have to specify gravity acceleration as you have already done.

Which model are you using?

Exactly, which parameters don't change in your simulations?

Hi :)

ap

Re: Gravity (g) Influence on Simulation Results
 

I used a k-e turbulent model to calculate a simple channel flow. For this channel flow the inlet and outlet are periodic boundary conditions with constant pressure gradient.

The fluid properties are constant. I changed the gravity levels from g=0 to g=9.81. But it seems the velocity field and pressure field didn't make a difference at all.

So I wonder where the problem may be.

Re: Gravity (g) Influence on Simulation Results
 

Hi Colin,

what kind of problem are you trying to solve. Do you think that your problem is strongly buoyancy dependent (buoyancy driven flow). If not, there is no reason to make your task more complex than necessary (do not impose gravitational acceleration).

Hope it helps.

Re: Gravity (g) Influence on Simulation Results
 

I don't know the configuration of the system you are trying to model, but maybe it's not deeply influenced by gravity acceleration.

Anyway, activa

Is your channel horizontal or nearly horizontal? Or are there significant variation in quote?

Hi :)

ap

Re: Gravity (g) Influence on Simulation Results
 

Hi, Vladimir and AP,

Your advices are quite reasonable and lightening. I should announce more clearly when I presented an "asking help" here.

Actually the phenomenon studied is a vertical upward flow in a circular tube. The gravity should play a role (although not very important here). But from simulation results, I can not expect this. Today I plan to check again if there is something wrong with Fluent Setting, I found somebody also met the similar problem.

Thanks for your taking the time and effort to give me your kind help.

Re: Gravity (g) Influence on Simulation Results
 

Hi, ap and Vladimir,

I think I find out where is the problem. This can be said a bug of Fluent. If the gravity is wanted in simulation, the fomer procedure is just as ap said:

define---->operating conditions---->gravity

this is not enough. Further work should be done as follows:

Specified Operating Density should also be checked, and add Zero to Operating Density.

Then the gravity is added. For vertical upward or inclined flow in a tube, gravity should play a kind of role in results. For horizontal flow, it doesn't make a difference.

Re: Gravity (g) Influence on Simulation Results
 

hi, colin, I think that you make operating density to zero need think it over.if the problem you simulate occurs in the air(my estimation),and it should be 1.225 or some value else(if not in the air).and i want to know what you do about with the operating density in the former simulations occuring the errors? I did a simulation like yours recently and didn't do the cases you have done and thanks for your making me aware the problem

Re: Gravity (g) Influence on Simulation Results
 

Hi, Richard,

I would like to suggest you try the following two cases: (1)Horizontal pipe laminar flow (2)Vertical pipe laminar flow

For all these two cases, a theoretical pressure drop or velocity profile can be drived. You can make a comparsion between your simulation results with analytical results.

Use different operating density in your simulation work, then you would make your own conclusions.

gravity or not in vertical pipe
 

Hi

I am trying to simulate a vertical. I have done a simulation without considering gravity or operating density value. Should I considered gravity value in order to Fluent considered the different heigth between 2 points. I am using water. Should I use any special density?

Tnahks

very good!
 

thank you, Colin!
your answer helps me so much.