Introduction To CFX: Domains and Boundary Conditions

Chapter 3
Domains and
Boundary Conditions
Introduction to CFX
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 3-1 Inventory #002598
Boundary Conditions
Domains Training Manual
Domains are regions of space in which the equations of fluid flow or heat
transfer are solved
Rotor Stator
e.g. A simulation of a copper heating coil in water e.g. To account for rotational motion, the rotor is
will require a fluid domain and a solid domain. placed in a rotating domain.
Only the mesh components which are included in a domain are included
in the simulation

Boundary Conditions
How to Create a Domain (as shown earlier) Training Manual
Define Domain Properties

Right-click on the domain and pick Edit
Or right-click on Flow Analysis 1 to insert a new domain
When editing an item a new tab panel opens

containing the properties. You can switch
between open tabs.
Sub-tabs contain
various different
properties
Complete the required

fields on each sub-tab
to define the domain
Optional fields are

activated by enabling
a check box

Boundary Conditions
Domain Creation Training Manual
General Options panel: Basic Settings

Location: Only assemblies and 3D
primitives
Domain Type: Fluid, Solid, or Porous
Coordinate Frame: select coordinate

frame from which all domain inputs will be
referenced to
Not to be confused with the reference frame,
which can be stationary or rotating
The default Coord 0 frame is usually used
Fluids and Particles Definitions: select

the participating materials

Boundary Conditions
Domain Creation Reference Pressure Training Manual
General Options panel: Domain Models

Reference Pressure
Represents the absolute pressure datum from
which all relative pressures are measured
Pabs = Preference + Prelative
Pressures specified at boundary and initial

conditions are relative to the Reference Pressure
Used to avoid problems with round-off errors which

occur when the local pressure differences in a fluid
are small compared to the absolute pressure level
Pref
Pressure Pressure
Prel,max=100,001 Pa Prel,max=1 Pa
Prel,min=99,999 Pa Prel,min=-1 Pa
Pref
Ex. 1: Preference= 0 Pa Ex. 2: Preference= 100,000 Pa

Boundary Conditions
Domain Creation - Buoyancy Training Manual
General Options panel: Buoyancy

When gravity acts on fluid regions with different
densities a buoyancy force arises
When buoyancy is included, a source term is added

to the momentum equations based on the difference
between the fluid density and a reference density
SM,buoy=( ref)g
ref is the reference density. This is just the datum

from which all densities are evaluated. Fluid with
density other than ref will have either a positive or
negative buoyancy force applied.
See below for more on the reference density
The ( ref) term is evaluated differently depending

on your chosen fluid:

Boundary Conditions
Full Buoyancy Model

Evaluates the density differences directly
Used when modeling ideal gases, real fluids, or
multicomponent fluids
A Reference Density is required
Use an approximate value of the expected domain
density
Boussinesq Model
Used when modeling constant density fluids
Buoyancy is driven by temperature differences
( ref) = - ref (T Tref)
A Reference Temperature is required
Use an approximate value of the average
expected domain temperature

Boundary Conditions
Buoyancy Ref. Density

The Buoyancy Reference Density is used to avoid
round-off errors by solving at an offset level
The Reference Pressure is used to offset the operating

pressure of the domain, while the Buoyancy Reference
Density should be used to offset the hydrostatic
pressure in the domain
The pressure solution is relative to ref g h, where h is
relative to the Reference Location
If ref = the fluid density (), then the solution becomes
relative to the hydrostatic pressure, so when visualizing
Pressure you only see the pressure that is driving the flow
Absolute Pressure always includes both the

hydrostatic and reference pressures
Pabs = Preference + Prelative + ref g h
For a non-buoyant flow a hydrostatic pressure does not

exist

Boundary Conditions
Pressure and Buoyancy Example Training Manual
Consider the case of flow through a tank

The inlet is at 30 [psi] absolute
Buoyancy is included, therefore a 30 psi
hydrostatic pressure gradient exists

The outlet pressure will be approximately
30 [psi] plus the hydrostatic pressure Small pressure
given by g h changes drive the
flow field in the tank
The flow field is driven by small dynamic h
pressure changes
NOT by the large hydrostatic pressure or the
large operating pressure
To accurately resolve the small dynamic

pressure changes, we use the Reference
~30 psi + gh
Pressure to offset the operating
pressure and the Buoyancy Reference
Density to offset the hydrostatic
pressure Gravity, g
Boundary Conditions
Domain Creation Training Manual
General Options panel: Domain Motion

You can specify a domain that is rotating about
an axis
When a domain with a rotating frame is specified,
the CFX-Solver computes the appropriate
Coriolis and centrifugal momentum terms, and
solves a rotating frame total energy equation
Mesh Deformation
Used for problems involving moving boundaries
or moving subdomains
Mesh motion could be imposed or arise as an
implicit part of the solution

Boundary Conditions
Domain Types Training Manual
The additional domain tabs/settings

depend on the Domain Type selected

Boundary Conditions
Domain Type: Fluid Models Training Manual
Heat Transfer
Specify whether a heat transfer model is
used to predict the temperature throughout
the flow
Discussed in Heat Transfer Lecture
Turbulence
Specify whether a turbulence model is
used to predict the effects of turbulence in
fluid flow
Discussed in Turbulence Lecture

Boundary Conditions
Reaction or Combustion Models

CFX includes combustion models to allow the
simulation of flows in which combustion
reactions occur
Available only if Option = Material Definition on
the Basic Settings tab
Not covered in detail in this course

Boundary Conditions
Radiation Models
For simulations when thermal radiation is
significant
See the Heat Transfer chapter for more
details

Boundary Conditions
Domain Type: Solid Models Training Manual
Solid domains are used to model regions

that contain no fluid or porous flow (for
example, the walls of a heat exchanger)
Heat Transfer (Conjugate Heat Transfer)

Discussed in Heat Transfer Lecture
Radiation
Only the Monte Carlo radiation model is
available in solids
Theres no radiation in solid domains if it is
opaque!
Solid Motion
Used only when you need to account for
advection of heat in the solid domain
Solid motion must be tangential to its
surface everywhere (for example, an object
being extruded or rotated)
Tubular heat exchanger

Boundary Conditions
Domain Type: Porous Domains Training Manual
Used to model flows where the

geometry is too complex to
resolve with a grid
Instead of including the geometric
details, their effects are
accounted for numerically
Images Courtesy of Babcock and Wilcox, USA

Boundary Conditions
Area Porosity
The area porosity (the fraction of physical
area that is available for the flow to go
through) is assumed isotropic
Volume Porosity
The local ratio of the volume of fluid to the
total physical volume (can vary spatially)
By default, the velocity solved by the code
is the superficial fluid velocity. In a porous
region, the true fluid velocity of the fluid
will be larger because of the flow volume
reduction
Superficial Velocity = Volume Porosity * True Velocity This setting should be
consistent with the
velocity used when
the Loss Coefficients
(next slide) were
calculated

Boundary Conditions
Loss Model
Isotropic: Losses equal in all directions
Directional Loss: For many applications,
different losses are induced in the streamwise dp
U i K loss U i
and transverse directions. (Examples: dxi K perm 2
Honeycombs and Porous plates)

Losses are applied using Darcys Law
Permeability and Loss Coefficients
dp
U i K loss U i
dxi K perm 2
Linear and Quadratic Resistance Coefficients

dp
C R1U i C R 2 U i
dxi

Boundary Conditions
Materials Training Manual
Create a name for the fluid to be used

Select the material to be used in the domain
Currently loaded materials are available in the drop down list
Additional Materials are available by clicking

Boundary Conditions
Materials Training Manual
A Material can be created/edited by right clicking Materials

in the Outline Tree

Boundary Conditions
Multicomponent/Multiphase Flow Training Manual
ANSYS CFX has the capability to model fluid mixtures

(multicomponent) and multiple phases
Multicomponent (more details on next slide) Multiphase

One flow field for the mixture Each fluid may possess its own flow field
Variations in the mixture accounted for by variable mass (not available in CFD-Flo product) or all
fractions fluids may share a common flow field
Applicable when components are mixed at the molecular Applicable when fluids are mixed on a
level macroscopic scale, with a discernible
interface between the fluids.
Creating multiple fluids will

allow you to specify fluid
specific and fluid pair models

Boundary Conditions
Multicomponent Flow Training Manual
Each component fluid may have a distinct set of physical

properties
The ANSYS CFX-Solver will calculate appropriate average values

of the properties for each control volume in the flow domain, for
use in calculating the fluid flow
These average values will depend both on component property

values and on the proportion of each component present in the
control volume
In multicomponent flow, the various components of a fluid share

the same mean velocity, pressure and temperature fields, and
mass transfer takes place by convection and diffusion

Boundary Conditions
Compressible Flow Modelling Training Manual
Activated by selecting an Ideal Gas, Real Fluid, or a General Fluid whose

density is a function of pressure
Can solve for subsonic, supersonic and transonic flows
Supersonic/Transonic flow problems

Set the heat transfer option to Total Energy
Generally more difficult to solve than subsonic/incompressible flow problems,
especially when shocks are present
Click to load a
real gas library

Boundary Conditions

Boundary Conditions
Defining Boundary Conditions Training Manual
You must specify information on the dependent (flow) variables at the

domain boundaries
Specify fluxes of mass, momentum, energy, etc. into the domain.
Defining boundary conditions involves:

Identifying the location of the boundaries (e.g., inlets, walls, symmetry)
Supplying information at the boundaries
The data required at a boundary depends upon the boundary

condition type and the physical models employed
You must be aware of types of the boundary condition available and

locate the boundaries where the flow variables have known values or
can be reasonably approximated
Poorly defined boundary conditions can have a significant impact on your
solution
Boundary Conditions
Available Boundary Condition Types Training Manual
Inlet
Velocity Components -Static Temperature (Heat Transfer)
Normal Speed -Total Temperature (Heat Transfer)
Mass Flow Rate -Total Enthalpy (Heat Transfer) Outlet
Total Pressure (stable) -Relative Static Pressure (Supersonic)
Static Pressure -Inlet Turbulent conditions
Wall
Outlet Inlet
Average Static Pressure -Normal Speed
Velocity Components -Mass Flow Rate
Static Pressure
Opening
Opening Pressure and Dirn -Opening Temperature (Heat Transfer)
Entrainment -Opening Static Temperature (Heat Transfer) Symmetry Opening
Static Pressure and Direction -Inflow Turbulent conditions
Velocity Components
Wall
No Slip / Free Slip -Adiabatic (Heat Transfer)
Roughness Parameters -Fixed Temperature (Heat Transfer)
Heat Flux (Heat Transfer) -Heat Transfer Coefficient (Heat Transfer)
Wall Velocity (for tangential motion only)
Symmetry
No details (only specify region which corresponds to the symmetry plane

Boundary Conditions
How to Create a Boundary Condition Training Manual
Right-click on the domain to insert BCs
After completing
the boundary
condition, it
appears in the
Outline tree
below its domain

Boundary Conditions
Inlets and Outlets Training Manual
Inlets are used predominantly for regions where inflow is expected;

however, inlets also support outflow as a result of velocity specified
boundary conditions
Velocity Specified Condition Pressure or Mass Flow Condition
Inlet Inlet
Inflow Inflow
allowed allowed
Outflow
allowed
Velocity specified inlets are intended for incompressible flows

Using velocity inlets in compressible flows can lead to non-physical results
Pressure and mass flow inlets are suitable for compressible and
incompressible flows
The same concept applies to outlets
Boundary Conditions
Openings Training Manual
Artificial walls are not erected with the opening type boundary, as
both inflow and outflow are allowed
You are required to specify information that is used if the flow
becomes locally inflow
Do not use opening as an excuse for a poorly placed boundary
See the following slides for examples
Pressure Specified Opening
Inlet
Inflow
allowed
Outflow
allowed

Boundary Conditions
Symmetry Training Manual
Used to reduce computational effort in problem.
No inputs are required.
Flow field and geometry must be symmetric:

Zero normal velocity at symmetry plane
Zero normal gradients of all variables at symmetry plane
Must take care to correctly define symmetry boundary locations
Can be used to model slip walls in viscous flow
symmetry
planes

Boundary Conditions
Specifying Well Posed Boundary Conditions Training Manual
Consider the following case in which contain separate air and fuel
supply pipes
Air
Three possible approaches
in locating inlet boundaries: 1
1 Upstream of manifold
Can use uniform profiles
since natural profiles will
develop in the supply pipes
2
Requires more elements 3
2 Nozzle inlet plane
Requires accurate velocity
profile data for the air and
fuel
3 Nozzle outlet plane
Requires accurate velocity Nozzle
1 Manifold box
profile data and accurate
profile data for the mixture
fractions of air and fuel
Fuel

Boundary Conditions
If possible, select boundary Upper pressure boundary modified to

ensure that flow always enters domain.
location and shape such that
flow either goes in or out
Not necessary, but will typically
observe better convergence
Should not observe large

gradients in direction normal to
boundary
Indicates incorrect boundary
condition location
This outlet is poorly located. It should

be moved further downstream

Boundary Conditions
Boundaries placed over recirculation zones

Poor Location: Apply an opening to allow inflow
Opening
Better Location: Apply an outlet with an accurate velocity/pressure profile

(difficult)
Outlet
Ideal Location: Apply an outlet downstream of the recirculation zone to allow

the flow to develop. This will make it easier to specify accurate flow conditions
Outlet

Boundary Conditions
Turbulence at the Inlet

Nominal turbulence intensities range from 1% to 5% but will depend
on your specific application.
The default turbulence intensity value of 0.037 (that is, 3.7%) is

sufficient for nominal turbulence through a circular inlet, and is a good
estimate in the absence of experimental data.
For situations where turbulence is generated by wall friction, consider

extending the domain upstream to allow the walls to generate
turbulence and the flow to become developed

Boundary Conditions
External Flow
In general, if the building has height H and width W, you would want your
domain to be at least 5H high, 10W wide, with at least 2H upstream of the
building and 10 H downstream of the building.
You would want to verify that there are no significant pressure gradients
normal to any of the boundaries of the computational domain. If there are,
then it would be wise to enlarge the size of your domain.
w
5h
Concentrate mesh in
regions of high
h
gradients
10w
At least 2H 10H
Boundary Conditions
Symmetry Plane and the Coanda Effect

Symmetric geometry does not necessarily mean symmetric flow
Example: The coanda effect. A jet entering at the center of a

symmetrical duct will tend to flow along one side above a certain
Reynolds number
Coanda effect not

allowed
No Symmetry Plane Symmetry Plane

Boundary Conditions
When there is 1 Inlet and 1 Outlet

Most Robust: Velocity/Mass Flow at an Inlet; Static Pressure at an Outlet.
The Inlet total pressure is an implicit result of the prediction.
Robust: Total Pressure at an Inlet; Velocity/Mass Flow at an Outlet. The

static pressure at the Outlet and the velocity at the Inlet are part of the
solution.
Sensitive to Initial Guess: Total Pressure at an Inlet; Static Pressure at an

Outlet. The system mass flow is part of the solution
Very Unreliable: Static Pressure at an Inlet; Static Pressure at an Outlet.

This combination is not recommended, as the inlet total pressure level and
the mass flow are both an implicit result of the prediction (the boundary
condition combination is a very weak constraint on the system).

Boundary Conditions
At least one boundary should specify Pressure (either Total or Static)

Unless its a closed system
Using a combination of Velocity and Mass Flow conditions at all boundaries
over constrains the system
Total Pressure cannot be set at an Outlet

It is unconditionally unstable
Outlets that vent to the atmosphere typically use a Static Pressure =

0 boundary condition
With a domain Reference Pressure of 1 [atm]
Inlets that draw flow in from the atmosphere often use a Total
Pressure = 0 boundary condition (e.g. an open window)
With a domain Reference Pressure of 1 [atm]

Boundary Conditions
Mass flow inlets result in a uniform velocity profile over the inlet
Fully developed flow is not achieved
You cannot specify a mass flow profile
Mass flow outlets allow a natural velocity profile to develop based on

the upstream conditions
Pressure specified boundary conditions allow a natural velocity

profile to develop


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Chapter 3

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Define Domain Properties

When editing an item a new tab panel opens

Complete the required

Optional fields are

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

General Options panel: Basic Settings

Domain Type: Fluid, Solid, or Porous

Coordinate Frame: select coordinate

Fluids and Particles Definitions: select

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

General Options panel: Domain Models

Pressures specified at boundary and initial

Used to avoid problems with round-off errors which

Ex. 1: Preference= 0 Pa Ex. 2: Preference= 100,000 Pa

General Options panel: Buoyancy

When buoyancy is included, a source term is added

ref is the reference density. This is just the datum

The ( ref) term is evaluated differently depending

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Full Buoyancy Model

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Buoyancy Ref. Density

The Reference Pressure is used to offset the operating

Absolute Pressure always includes both the

For a non-buoyant flow a hydrostatic pressure does not

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Consider the case of flow through a tank

hydrostatic pressure gradient exists

To accurately resolve the small dynamic

General Options panel: Domain Motion

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

The additional domain tabs/settings

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Reaction or Combustion Models

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Solid domains are used to model regions

Heat Transfer (Conjugate Heat Transfer)

Tubular heat exchanger

Used to model flows where the

Images Courtesy of Babcock and Wilcox, USA

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Honeycombs and Porous plates)

Linear and Quadratic Resistance Coefficients

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Create a name for the fluid to be used

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

A Material can be created/edited by right clicking Materials

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

ANSYS CFX has the capability to model fluid mixtures

Multicomponent (more details on next slide) Multiphase

Creating multiple fluids will

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Each component fluid may have a distinct set of physical

The ANSYS CFX-Solver will calculate appropriate average values

These average values will depend both on component property

In multicomponent flow, the various components of a fluid share

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Activated by selecting an Ideal Gas, Real Fluid, or a General Fluid whose