Thermal Coupling — Convection

Use a Thermal Coupling — Convection simulation object to model convective heat transfer between a primary and secondary set of elements. Depending on the type of convection coupling that you create, this simulation object can model convection between:

• The fluid in a 1D duct network and a set of surfaces in contact with the fluid. You must set the Type option to Convection Coupling, Duct Node Convection Coupling, Forced Convection Coupling, or Free Convection Coupling.

• Two sets of surfaces that each contact an implicit convecting fluid but do not contact each other. You must set the Type option to Across Gap Convection Coupling.

Applications of Thermal Couplings — Convection

Use Thermal Coupling — Convection to model convection between a specified fluid and the walls of the ducts, pipes, and channels that contain it. In conjunction with 1D flow simulation of duct networks or duct with mass flow networks, a Thermal Coupling — Convection creates a true multiphysics solution without the computational overhead of 3D flow modeling.

If the fluid temperatures and velocity are not of interest, you can also model convective heat transfer between specified surfaces via an implicit fluid. This option can be useful for modeling applications such as insulating cavities and electronics assemblies. Both natural and forced convection correlations are provided.

Specifying convecting surfaces for a Thermal Coupling — Convection

When you create a Thermal Coupling — Convection, specify a convecting surface by selecting:

• A face meshed with 2D elements or the 2D elements themselves.

• A face of a body meshed with 3D elements.

• An edge or curve meshed with 1D elements or the 1D elements themselves.

• A point meshed with a 0D element or the 0D element itself.

• Any combination of these. However, for example, you cannot mix edges with polygon faces in your selection.

Supported variables and functions

The following table lists the independent variables and auto-generated expressions for the Thermal Coupling — Convection quantities that you can define using fields and expressions.

Type	Quantity	Variables	Auto-generated expressions
Convection Coupling****Duct Node Convection Coupling	Heat Transfer Coefficient	TimeTemperatureSpatial variablesTime, spatial variablesTemperature, spatial variables	fluid_temperature heat_flow_rate mass_flow_rate nx ny nz pressure radius rotational_speed temperature temperature_difference thermal_capacitance thickness time volume_flow_rate x y z
Forced Convection Coupling	Multiplier	TimeTemperatureMass flow rateTemperature differenceVolume flow rate
Free Convection Coupling	Multiplier	TimeTemperatureTemperature difference
Across Gap Convection Coupling	Multiplier	TimeTemperatureTemperature difference

In expressions, you can also use all built-in functions that are listed in Mathematical functions in expressions and most built-in functions that are listed in Thermal-flow functions in expressions.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Command Finder	Thermal Coupling — Convection
Simulation Navigator	Right-click the Simulation Objects node→New Simulation Object→Thermal Coupling — Convection

How do I

Create a Thermal Coupling — Convection

Define a convection coupling between duct nodes and solid faces

Learn more

Thermal Coupling — Convection types

Across gap coupling convection correlations

Duct Convection Correction modeling object

Inputs to expressions

Free convection correlations

Forced convection correlations

Specifying a Coupling Resolution

Using the Only Connect Overlapping Elements option

Using the Overlap Projection Direction option

Look up more details

Duct Node Convection Coupling options

Auto-generated expressions

Thermal Coupling — Convection dialog box

Quick links

Simcenter 3D Thermal/Flow, Electronic Systems Cooling, and Space Systems Thermal boundary conditions

Thermal/Flow, Electronic Systems Cooling, and Space Systems Thermal

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials

Browse Simcenter 3D help by product area

Thermal Coupling — Convection, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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