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Non Newtonian Transitional Flow Simulations Fluent Eccentric Annulus PDF
Non Newtonian Transitional Flow Simulations Fluent Eccentric Annulus PDF
Introduction
The purpose of this tutorial is to illustrate the setup and solution of a 3D, turbulent flow
of a non-Newtonian fluid.
Turbulent non-Newtonian flows are often encountered in the oil and gas industry. These
fluids are used in the drilling of oil wells to transport the cuttings to the surface, and
to keep solids in suspension during stationary periods. In directional drilling, where an
eccentric annulus is often used, there is a tendency for the cuttings to accumulate in
the narrowest gap where the velocity is lowest. Since turbulence tends to suppress such
accumulation, knowledge of the velocity profiles in the annulus are essential in the design
and operation of these drills.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to:
• Set up the material for non-Newtonian viscosity and switch to turbulence formula-
tion for the same using text user interface (TUI) commands.
Prerequisites
This tutorial assumes that you have little experience with FLUENT but are familiar with
the interface.
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Non-Newtonian Transitional Flow in an Eccentric Annulus
Problem Description
A periodic section of the eccentric annulus arrangement is considered (Figure 8.1). The
inner and outer cylinders diameters are 20 mm and 40.3 mm respectively. The inner
cylinder is rotating with speed of 300 rpm whereas the outer one is stationary. The
viscosity is governed by the Power law as:
µ = K × γ (n−1)
where,
n = power law index = 0.75
K = consistency index = 0.044
γ = local shear rate
The flow is considered to be in transitional regime with Re = 9000.
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Preparation
1. Copy the following files to your working directory:
• annulus.msh
• non-dimensional.scm
• axial-p1.xy
• axial-p2.xy
• axial-p3.xy
• tangential-p1.xy
• tangential-p2.xy
• tangential-p3.xy
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The color for each periodic boundary is Cyan and for each wall it is White. FLUENT
will automatically color each boundary based on its type.
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To capture the sharp gradients near the walls correctly, the grid adjacent to the
walls is made finer compared to the central region. In addition, as the problem is
turbulent it is essential to meet the correct Y+ conditions as per the wall treatment
to be used.
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Step 2: Models
The flow has Reynolds number of 9000, and it needs to be modeled as turbulent. The
k − ω model can be used for such low Reynolds number, turbulent, or transitional flows.
ρ × Ub × dh
Re = (8.1)
µ
In this case, the mass flow rate = 2.615 kg/s. Therefore, the bulk velocity can be
M assf low 2.615
calculated as: Bulkvelocity = Density×Area = 1000×0.00961
Where,
ρ = density of the fluid = 1000 kg/m3
Ub = bulk velocity = 2.72 m/s
dh = hydraulic diameter (Do-Din) = 20.3 × 10−3
µ = viscosity at the wall = 6 × 10−3 (measured experimentally [1])
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Step 3: Materials
1. Change the material properties.
Define −→Materials...
(a) There is no model that can be used for viscosity as we need non-Newtonian
power law. To enable the model, issue the text user interface command as:
define/models/viscous/turbulence-expert/turb-non-newtonian
Enable turbulence for non-Newtonian fluids? [no] yes
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(e) Click NO when FLUENT asks Change/Create mixture and overwrite air?
(f) Close the materials panel.
FLUENT automatically enables the energy equation as non-Newtonian power
law formulation is being used. You can disable it from the solution afterwards.
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Step 4: Units
1. Change the units for angular-velocity to rpm.
Define −→Units...
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Step 7: Solution
1. Set the solution controls.
Solve −→ Controls −→Solution...
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Retain the default activated Write Binary Files option so that you can write a binary
file. The .gz option will save zipped files, this will work on both, Windows as well
as UNIX platforms.
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(a) Under Discretization, select QUICK for Momentum, Turbulence Kinetic Energy,
and Specific Dissipation Rate.
(b) Click OK.
Convergence can be detected by monitoring some key parameter during the
iterations. In this case you will monitor turbulence kinetic energy over central
plane of the domain. To do so, create an isosurface at the corresponding
location in the domain.
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7. Create an isosurface.
Surface −→Iso-Surface...
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11. Save the case and data files (annulus2.cas.gz and annulus2.dat.gz).
File −→ Write −→Case & Data...
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Step 8: Postprocessing
1. Create an isosurface.
The flow is translationally periodic along Z direction. Create an isosurface along Z
direction to view the results.
Surface −→Iso-surface...
(a) Select Grid... and Z-Coordinate in the Surface of Constant drop-down lists.
(b) Click Compute.
Min and Max values will get updated as per the domain extents.
(c) Under Iso-Values, enter 0.005.
(d) Enter New Surface Name as z=0.005.
(e) Click Create and close the panel.
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(a) Select Properties... and Molecular Viscosity in the Contours of drop-down lists.
(b) Under Options, enable Filled.
(c) Under Surfaces, select z=0.005.
(d) Click Display and close the panel.
Observe the shear thinning behavior of the fluid. The viscosity is less near
walls (high shear regions) and it is high in the central part (low shear regions).
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It is important to know the pressure drop in any flow system. FLUENT updates
the pressure gradient value after every iteration in the Periodic Conditions panel.
Multiply the value reported of pressure gradient by the length of periodic section to
get the pressure drop value.
In literature, the results are available at three lines P1, P2 and P3 as shown in
Figure 8.1. We can create them on the z= 0.005 surface.
5. Create another isosurface to view the results.
Surface −→Iso-surface...
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6. Create isoclips.
Surface −→Iso-Clip...
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8. Display all three surfaces that you have created (Figure 8.8).
Display −→Grid...
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11. Read the xy files, provided with this tutorial, that contains the experimental data.
Plot −→XY Plot...
(a) Click Load File...
This opens a Select File dialog box.
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Figure 8.9: FLUENT Results vs Experimental Data for Axial Velocity Component at p-1
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Figure 8.10: FLUENT Results vs Experimental Data for Tangential Velocity Component
at p-3
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(d) Similarly, compare remaining results as shown in Figures 8.11 and 8.12.
Figure 8.11: FLUENT Results vs Experimental Data for Axial Velocity Component at
p-2 and p3
Figure 8.12: FLUENT Results vs Experimental Data for Tangential Velocity Component
at p-1 and p2
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Summary
This tutorial demonstrated a similarity between the axial and tangential velocity profiles
predicted by FLUENT and the experimental data. You also studied, the performance of
k −ω model in transitional regime along with the non-Newtonian formulation of viscosity.
The use of monitors for detecting convergence is highlighted.
References
1. J. M. Nouri and J. H. Whitelaw, Flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids in
an eccentric annulus with rotation of inner cylinder, International Journal of Heat
and Fluid Flow 18:236-246, 1997
Exercises/ Discussions
1. How will the results vary if:
(a) The direction of rotation of inner cylinder is reversed.
(b) The inner cylinder rotates with higher RPM.
(c) The outer cylinder is made to rotate in the same direction as that of inner cylinder.
(d) The flow is simulated as inviscid.
2. Will the same grid work if the mass flow across the periodic boundaries is increased 10
times from the existing value? What changes would you suggest in the case set-up?
3. What other situation can be simulated using the same mesh file.
• http://www.clarkson.edu/subramanian/ch301/notes/nonnewtonian.pdf
• http://www.mdpi.org/entropy/papers/e6030304.pdf
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