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Basic pipeflow
Posted 8 nov. 2010, 12:40 UTC−5 6 Replies
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I started using Comsol to solve fluid mechanic cases recently, using the incompressible laminar flow module. However, when I try to compare the velocity profile with analytical solution, I have approximately 3-4% difference in the maximum velocity. The case is water laminar pipe flow(3D) and I'm looking into the developed velocity at center line;its analytical solution can be found in all fluidmechanics textbooks.
I think for such a simple case the error shouldn't be as large as that(3-4%), and wonder if I should do any particular implement for this type of problem?
Thank you.
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- insufficient mesh, i.e. use boundary mesh and finer meshes
- low tolerance
- artificial diffusion used
if you upload your example file we can help maybe better.
--
Comsol 4.0a
Ubuntu 10.04.1
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The example file is attached. I treat -pz*(r^2)/4/viscosity as analytical velocity at center line of the pipe.
Many thanks.
Attachments:
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Regards, John
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About the radial mesh and sweep azimuthally, I couldn't find it in the mesh lists. Are you also using Comsol 3.5a?
Best regards
Cheng
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Thank you John. The mesh was truely too coarse near the wall. I tried to adopt boundary layer mesh for the 2D cross section, and extrude it to a 3D pipe, and that works. The problem is that, to achieve a accurate result for such a simple structure, I've adopted 800,000 DOFs and must use a server machine with 96GB memory. That's absolutely not a wise way to build complicated models. I'm considering use linear elements to reduce the # of DOF, but that might result in larger error.
About the radial mesh and sweep azimuthally, I couldn't find it in the mesh lists. Are you also using Comsol 3.5a?
Best regards
Cheng
That was my first impression with the model too. Mesh was too coarse. Nevertheless, if you use streamline diffusion you can use first order elements theoretically. Also, use symmetry in your model, this way you will have 1/2 of your elements.
--
Comsol 4.0a
Ubuntu 10.04.1
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Anyway, I think it's rare to solve more than 500,000 DOFs on most PCs and error exists for many cases. I want to know how is the estimated error for common fluid problems that you have dealt with?
Many thanks.
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