Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis on Globe Valve using 3DEXPERIENCE Fluid Dynamics Engineer Role – Lesson 2

In the previous lesson, we learned about setting up the globe valve model for simulation and creating scenarios such as fluid physics and boundary conditions along with meshing using 3DEXPERIENCE fluid dynamics engineer. The process of running the simulation in cloud was also shown in the first lesson. Following those, the postprocessing and results analysis is studied in this lesson with different options such as section plots, streamlines, sensors, formula editor etc.

As soon as the simulation is complete, click on ‘close’ in the simulation status dialogue box. Please check that a green tick has come to the left of ‘simulate’ in the assistant. Now, please click on ‘results’ in the assistant which will take you to the plots dialogue box directly.

In the plots dialogue box, you can view different plots by changing the plots options. Please view the gauge pressure and velocity plot by doing the same. The legend of the plot, where the values for various colours in the plot are shown, can be observed right to the corresponding plot.

The pressure is maximum at inlet, and minimum at outlet which proves that the direction of flow is perfectly enabled from inlet to outlet (Higher to lower pressure drop).

The velocity of flow is almost zero at outer walls of the fluid domain, which ensures that no-slip boundary conditions are perfectly employed (no-slip is enabled by the tool default). However, to visualize the velocity distribution we may need a section plot which shows the flow path from inlet to outlet. To create a section plot, assign the right plane view and then click on the model and then on the section plot as shown below.

Change the plot to velocity and observe the section plot below.

We have already seen that; pressure is maximum at inlet and minimum at outlet. For conservation of energy, the kinetic energy should be balanced accordingly. In other words, velocity should be higher at the outlet which is visible from above plot (according to Bernouli’s principle). Now to ensure that the flow direction is from inlet to outlet, let’s velocity vectors as seen below.

The velocity vector direction is shown from inlet to outlet as shown in above figure.

The streamlines plots are very important in any CFD problem since it shows the presence of any recirculation zones inside the flow path. Hence, go to assistant and under ‘results’ select ‘streamlines’ as shown in figure and then select the lighting sign (automatic).

In the streamlines dialogue box, enter number of seed as 10, and then click ok.

Now, observe the generated streamlines. It is clearly visible that at bottom half of valve, a recirculation zone is present.

The critical design consideration factor in a globe valve is pressure drop. The pressure drop different applications of globe valve can be different. Hence, it is vital to determine the pressure drop in globe valve for given flowrate conditions.

In 3DEXPERIENCE fluid dynamics engineer, there is an option called ‘sensors’ is present. This allows you to calculate any parameters value such as pressure, velocity, density, force etc. at a particular point or surface or body from the field or history output request that has been created. In lesson 1, we learned how to create output request and we had requested average gauge pressure at inlet and outlet as history output. Based on those, we will create pressure sensors at inlet and outlet. Click on ‘sensors’ in the action bar and then click on ‘sensor’.

In the sensors dialog box, select history, and then select area-averaged surface gauge pressure from the variable list. Select ‘mass flow inlet’ as the support from the 3 dots symbol next to ‘support’. Then select maximum and click ok.

Similarly, create another sensor for outlet pressure.

Now, you can view the sensor and values from the simulation tree by expanding results and then sensors.

The calculation of pressure drop can be done by the use of the option ‘formula’ in ‘tools’ section of action bar. Click on ‘formula’ from ‘tools’ section of action bar.

From the ‘parameters and relations’ dialogue box opened, click on the arrow mark next to the real and change it to pressure (click on more if ‘pressure’ is not available).

Change the name to pressure drop as shown below.

The ‘pressure drop’ is created as a parameter in the list now. Click on the three vertical dots icon next to it and then select ‘edit formula’ as shown below.

From the ‘formula editor’ dialogue box select pressure as members of parameters and then select sensor 1. Then put minus (-) and then select sensor 2. Clicking ‘ok’ will give you the pressure drop.

The pressure drop can be observed from the simulation tree under parameters which is under results as shown below.

It is determined that around 0.161 MPa pressure drop is occurring in the globe valve with respect to the given flow conditions.

Save and close the model.

Lesson-2 is finished.

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