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Simulating Flow through a Pipe With OpenFOAM

When a fluid moves through an OpenFOAM pipe in parallel layers without causing any disruption between the layers, this type of flow is known as laminar flow, a type of streamlined flow. Here is a list of what you’ll learn in courses with guaranteed jobs.

The viscous forces predominate in the case of laminar flow.

When the flow velocity is low, there is no lateral mixing of the fluid as it moves through the ducts or channels. The molecular diffusion of liquid causes lateral mixing, which refers to the mixing of fluids in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction.

We cannot observe eddies or motion swirling if the fluid is moving, and no cross-flow is perpendicular to the fluid moving direction.

In fluid mechanics, the number of Reynolds is essential for determining whether a flow is laminar or turbulent. The critical Reynolds number for flow through a pipe is 23 hundred.

Laminar flow

  • When a fluid moves in a laminar flow, the motion of the fluid’s particles is regulated, and every particle in the fluid moves in a straight line parallel to the pipe wall.
  • When dealing with large pipe diameters, diffusion mixing at the molecular level is a prolonged process. However, this factor can be pretty significant for pipes of a smaller diameter.
  • In a flow that is axis-symmetric, there will be no change in the direction of the circumference.

The Geometry of Pipes and Their Application in Computing

The computational domain of an axis-symmetric algorithm is a two-dimensional plane. Every aspect of the flow is a function of the radial and axial coordinates, with L standing for one meter.

The Pipe Flow Problem from a Geometric and Computational Perspective

Properties of the physical realm

It is presumed that water always has the same physical properties, with a density of 1000 kg/m3 and a dynamic viscosity of 0.001 kg/m-s, respectively.

The equation that Controls Everything and Boundary Conditions

  • In this investigation, it is presumed that the flow is unchanging, two-dimensional, and incompressible.
  • In this investigation, the effects of viscous dissipation and body forces were not considered.

Vector of Velocities

  • The vectors whose magnitudes correspond to velocities are displayed below.
  • In the flow transition region, the magnitude of the velocity shifts as a result of the development of the flow.
  • The velocity vectors in the laminar flow through the pipe at ReD=100 indicate that the parabolic velocity profile will be found at the outlet of the line.

Pressure fields in laminar flow while the flow is periodic through the pipe.

  • There is a velocity profile for a periodic boundary layer in a laminar flow through the pipe.
  • Radial velocity profile measured at various axial locations, with X equal to 0.1 meters, 0.3 meters, 0.4 meters, and 0.9 meters for lines 01, 03, 4, and 9, respectively.
  • At the centre of the pipe, the axial velocity profile is a straight line.
  • Radial and Axial Velocities in the Pipe for Periodic Flow Radial and axial velocities in a laminar flow through the pipe

Conclusion

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of laminar flow is carried out through the pipe to achieve steady-state axisymmetric flow.

If you are modelling laminar flow through a three-dimensional pipe, the axial variation of the variables will not be significant.

James Morkel

Tech website author with a passion for all things technology. Expert in various tech domains, including software, gadgets, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. Dedicated to simplifying complex topics and providing informative and engaging content to readers. Stay updated with the latest tech trends and industry news through their insightful articles.

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