Simulation of Laminar flow inside

a pipe
 Problem description
The purpose of this project is to illustrate the setup and solution of a 2D
laminar fluid flow in a pipe using Fluent. This project will consider the
flow inside a pipe (10m*0.15m). Air enters from the inlet boundary with 1
m/s . The flow Reynolds number is 8500 for laminar flow.

centerline

inlet outlet

The objectives of this study are examining the results, such as velocity
profile and visualize the flow using animation tool.
 Theoretical Analysis
The problem that will be discussed is a two-dimensional single phase
forced convection flow in a pipe. To obtain the equations that govern the
current problem, the following assumption are made for the analysis;
Steady flow
Constant transport properties of fluid
Incompressible fluid flow
Newtonian fluid
Continuum fluid

Governing equations:
1. Continuity equation:
+ . = 0
2. Momentum equation in x direction:
1


+ . = + + 2

 Numerical simulation
Grid view using fluent

The problem is solved in steady state using pressure based solver.

Definition of viscous model are those, where the laminar (2 eqn.)
selected for laminar problem.
 Input parameters
Material Temperature Viscosity (kg/m-s) Density (kg/m3)
Air 288.3k 0.002 1

Solver parameters

Type Velocity Time 2D space

formulations
Pressure based Absolute Steady Axis symmetric

Boundary Conditions

Centreline Inlet Inlet surface outlet pipe wall

body
Axis Velocity inlet Velocity inlet Pressure outlet Velocity inlet
 Meshing parameters
Mesh size (mm) No of elements No of nodes Mesh type
4.98 1111 1000 Coarse
 Results & Discussions
Solution method
The CFD calculation is carried out using the simple algorithm for pressure-
velocity coupling and the second order upwind differencing scheme for
momentum equation. These settings are shown in solution controls window
figure

Fig: Settings of algorithm for pressure-velocity coupling

 Velocity profiles
The convergence data are plotted to represent the fully developed velocity
profile at outlet and maximum velocity at centerline.
 Convergence Curve
Solution has been converge after 75 iteration with time step 1
 Flow behaviour

Fig: Flow Behaviour at the centreline and inlet body surface

 Conclusions
Velocity is maximum at centreline and velocity
profile is parabolic at the outlet.
Equation has been converged after 75
iteration .