Simulation Electrical Heating of a Channel Flow using a Scott Circuit with four Rod Electrodes
In this case study we consider a simulation of a channel flow heated by four rod electrodes using a Scott circuit. Here the rod electrodes are not computed as solid bodies, i.e. their geometric shell is the boundary of the channel model. The electrical potential is applied to the rod electrode boundary. Since this Scott circuit involves two separate (phase-shifted) circuits, two separate electric fields have to be computed in this simulation. Depending on the flow rate and the arrangement of the electrodes, the electrical resistance in the fluid sets a specific temperature distribution in the fluid.
Figure 1: CAD created in NOGRID's COMPASS
Figure 2: Electrical potential circuit A
Figure 3: Electrical power circuit B
Figure 4: Temperature after 360 seconds
Figure 5: Fluid velocity field including velocity vectors
Figure 6: Temperature distribution including electrical current field vectors for circuit A
If you want to perform a simulation 'electrical heating of a channel flow by using a Scott circuit with four rod electrodes' you can use the CFD software NOGRID points. Based on the geometrical model which can either be imported from your CAD or created with our CAD preprocessor COMPASS you can generate a computer model of a specific geometry in a very short time (compared to mesh-based methods) and see its thermal characteristics in advance.
The following equation is used within NOGRID points to solve the electrical potential u in liquids and solids:
u electrical potential u = u (x, y, z)
σ electrical heat conductivity
q source term
In the field of electrostatics, the electrical potential does not change with time and the valid differential equation for the electrical potential u is the Poisson equation
Conduction in solids and liquids is described by Ohm's law, which states that current is proportional to the applied electric field. The current density (current per unit area) j in an area is directly proportional to the electric field E and the proportionality factor is the electric conductivity σ:
The electric field E can be calculated directly from the electric potential u by
In this simulation, the Navier-Stokes equations together with the temperature equation and the Poission equation for electrical potential are computed. Due to the Scott circuit, two phase-shifted circuits are required, i.e. the above equations are solved twice in the simulation. The temperature in the flow is influenced by the magnitude of the electrical current, the arrangement of the rod electrodes and the temperature-dependent electrical resistance of the fluid. If, for example, the viscosity of the fluid depends on the temperature, the temperature distribution naturally has a direct influence on the flow in the channel.
NOGRID points helps to understand the flow by visualization of the mass, momentum and heat transfer of single and multiple phases. You receive integral quantities which you can use to analyze the heat exchange efficiency. NOGRID unites abilities to handle free surface flow and moving parts in the domain and allows the simulation of any conceivable geometry and operation modes such as
- computation is in full 3D solving complete Navier-Stokes-Equations
- easy and intuitive setup also for FSI (Fluid-Structure-Interaction) cases
- free definable material properties by equations or curves
- coupled solutions for electrical heating and fluid mechanic cases
- open or closed domains including inflow and outflow areas (non-batch mode)
- moving of parts and flexible thermal contact behaviour
Nogrid's strengths
Easy and fast modelling: Build geometry, mesh boundary, setup the case and start computation
What is CFD from NOGRID?
CFD solves the fundamental equations that define the fluid flow process. With CFD software from NOGRID every engineer makes better decisions by predicting, analyzing and controlling fluid flow, heat and mass transfer or chemical reaction. By using NOGRID software for flow modeling you receive information on essential flow characteristics as for example flow distribution. Using it additional to testing and experimentation NOGRID software helps to improve the evaluation of your design – resulting in better construction and operation parameters, increasing planning security and money savings due to faster time to the marketplace for your product or process.
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