Is it possible to make a partly-symmetric model in FLUENT/CFX?

Time4Tea · July 31, 2018, 14:28

Hi,

I'm wondering if there is any way in either FLUENT or CFX to construct a model that is partly-symmetric - i.e. symmetric only in one particular local region?

For example, I am currently trying to model internal flow in a valve, where in the center, the fluid is flowing outwards through a diffuser that consists of a cylindrical component with hundreds of radial holes. Trying to model all of those holes individually will be computationally very expensive; however, I expect the flow field through each one to be largely similar. Although, the flow through the rest of the valve beyond that is not radially symmetric (it only has half-symmetry), so it would not be accurate to model the entire valve as radially-symmetric.

So, is there some way in either of these packages that I could model this cylindrical diffuser as a symmetric component - i.e. just mesh and solve one hole or one slice of the cylinder - but then extrapolate and reconstruct the combined flow field for the whole diffuser and apply that to the flow field in the rest of the valve geometry?

I hope my question is clear enough, if not then I will try to clarify further.

LuckyTran · August 3, 2018, 14:53

Yes but you have to become very skillful at creating interfaces. And usually it is much faster to solve the full non-simplified model than learning how to create these interfaces.

Time4Tea · August 3, 2018, 15:28

Ok, thanks for the advice, LuckyTran. Out of interest, is that possible in both FLUENT and CFX, or just CFX?

July 31, 2018, 14:28	Is it possible to make a partly-symmetric model in FLUENT/CFX?	#1
Time4Tea Senior Member Lee Strobel Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 133 Rep Power: 9	Hi, I'm wondering if there is any way in either FLUENT or CFX to construct a model that is partly-symmetric - i.e. symmetric only in one particular local region? For example, I am currently trying to model internal flow in a valve, where in the center, the fluid is flowing outwards through a diffuser that consists of a cylindrical component with hundreds of radial holes. Trying to model all of those holes individually will be computationally very expensive; however, I expect the flow field through each one to be largely similar. Although, the flow through the rest of the valve beyond that is not radially symmetric (it only has half-symmetry), so it would not be accurate to model the entire valve as radially-symmetric. So, is there some way in either of these packages that I could model this cylindrical diffuser as a symmetric component - i.e. just mesh and solve one hole or one slice of the cylinder - but then extrapolate and reconstruct the combined flow field for the whole diffuser and apply that to the flow field in the rest of the valve geometry? I hope my question is clear enough, if not then I will try to clarify further.

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August 3, 2018, 14:53		#2
LuckyTran Senior Member Lucky Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 5,672 Rep Power: 65	Yes but you have to become very skillful at creating interfaces. And usually it is much faster to solve the full non-simplified model than learning how to create these interfaces.

August 3, 2018, 15:28		#3
Time4Tea Senior Member Lee Strobel Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 133 Rep Power: 9	Ok, thanks for the advice, LuckyTran. Out of interest, is that possible in both FLUENT and CFX, or just CFX?