Create a duct flow network and model heat transfer using 2D shells

This example shows how to create a duct network with 1D duct elements and heat transfer of the duct walls using 2D shells. You can also use this procedure for 1D duct with mass flow elements, duct axisymmetric elements, and duct with mass flow axisymmetric elements.

Create surfaces and curves that run along the centerlines of the ducts. These curves are meshed and used to model fluid flow.

Make sure that there are no duplicate nodes at the point where two curves join. You can use mesh mating conditions between the adjoining parts.

1. Display the FEM file.

2. Choose Home tab→Properties group→Mesh Collector , and for each segment of the network with a consistent duct cross-section, create one mesh collector.

3. In the Mesh Collector dialog box, from the Type list, select Duct.

4. From the Material list, select a fluid material.

5. From the Section list, select a solid cross section area. Note: Hollow cross sections are interpreted differently between in the Duct, and Duct with Thick Walls types.

6. Click OK.

7. Choose Home tab→Mesh group→1D mesh to create a 1D mesh on the duct curves.

8. Select the Auto Chain Selection check box to ensure that all the duct elements point in the same direction.

9. Select the Merge Node check box to ensure that there are no duplicate nodes.

10. Assign the meshes to the mesh collectors according to their cross sections.

11. Choose Home tab→Mesh group→2D mesh to create a 2D mesh on the duct surfaces.Ensure you define the 2D mesh collector using a thermal material, thickness, and thermo-optical properties if required.

12. On the Simulation Navigator, right-click the FEM node, and choose Display Simulation→Simulation file.

13. Choose Home tab→Loads and Conditions group→Duct Flow Boundary Conditions , and create as many boundary conditions as required by your model.

14. Choose Home tab→Loads and Conditions group→Thermal Coupling — Convection to couple the duct and the walls.

15. On the Simulation Navigator, right-click the Solution node, and choose Edit.

16. In the Solution dialog box, on the Ambient Conditions page, set ambient values including the gravity vector.

Solve and post process your model.

How do I

Create a duct flow network

Create a thick wall duct flow network

Create a pressureless duct network

Create a duct flow network and model heat transfer using 3D solid elements

Connect the duct network to the 3D flow domain

Create a standard cross section

Learn more

1D duct flow networks

Duct analysis workflow

Duct Flow Boundary Conditions

1D meshing

Ensuring consistent 1D element orientation during mesh creation

Look up more details

Modeling ducts with 1D elements

Modeling ducts and their walls with 1D elements

Modeling ducts with 1D elements and their walls with 2D elements

Modeling the interface between ducts and 3D fluid elements

Modeling ducts inside 3D solid elements

Understanding ducts and area definition

Solver calculation for duct elements

Solver calculation for duct with mass flow elements

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Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

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

Create a duct flow network and model heat transfer using 2D shells, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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