[jvc]

I need to compute the mass flow rate for a compressible unsteady flow through an arbitrary plane in my computational domain at each time step. I can compute the mass flow rate at a boundary fairly easily using

patchName = runTime.controlDict().lookupOrDefault<word>("inlet Name","inlet");
label patchIn = mesh.boundaryMesh().findPatchID(patchName);
scalar massflow = Foam::sum(rhoPhi.boundaryField()[patchID]);
Foam::reduce(massflow, sumOp<scalar>());

My problem is how to find the cells in the domain that I want without having a patch. Is there a way to define a "fake" patch just for post-processing? I'm running a solver that is based on interPhaseChangeFoam.

Thanks for the help.

[fredo490]

A while ago I did this with EnSight but is was a post-treatment.

[jvc]

Since I need the mass flow rate every time step (or at least every few time steps) I was hoping there would be a way to do it without post-processing.

[fredo490]

As far as I know, many people have asked the same question (for years) and none has found a solution. If you really want to do it, you will have to code it from scratch

Otherwise you can try to create an "interior patch" like Fluent has.

EnSight can do it with a little effort and I guess once it is set up, it will work for all time steps.

[gelbebanane]

Hi,
i solved it that way:
Install "swak4foam"
and then add this to your "controlDict"

functions
(
  //MASSENDURCHSATZ
  massFlow

   {

      type patchMassFlow;

     functionObjectLibs

       (

         "libsimpleFunctionObjects.so"

       );

     verbose true;

     patches

       (

         inlet

         outlet

       );

     factor 1.;

   }

edit the patches and you are done. You will get a post processing folder containing a file with the mass flows for each timestep live.

[fredo490]

Originally Posted by jvc

I need to compute the mass flow rate for a compressible unsteady flow through an arbitrary plane in my computational domain at each time step. I can compute the mass flow rate at a boundary fairly easily using
....

The problem remain the same... Your code only works for a "patch".

[jherb]

Have a look at this thesis:
http://brage.bibsys.no/uis/bitstream...unn%20Elin.pdf
and search for createSampledSurface
There is a special section about sampling on surfaces (if I understood it correctly also inside the flow domain).