CVBEM and FVM Computational Model Comparison for Solving Ideal Fluid Flow in a 90-Degree Bend

Colin Bloor,Bryce Wilkins,Howard Mcinvale,Theodore V Hromadka Ii

doi:10.4236/ojfd.2016.64031

Abstract

While finite volume methodologies (FVM) have predominated in fluid flow computations, many flow problems, including groundwater models, would benefit from the use of boundary methods, such as the Complex Variable Boundary Element Method (CVBEM). However, to date, there has been no reporting of a comparison of computational results between the FVM and the CVBEM in the assessment of flow field characteristics. In this work, the CVBEM is used to develop a flow field vector outcome of ideal fluid flow in a 90-degree bend which is then compared to the computational results from a finite volume model of the same situation. The focus of the modelling comparison in the current work is flow field trajectory vectors of the fluid flow, with respect to vector magnitude and direction. Such a comparison is necessary to validate the development of flow field vectors from the CVBEM and is of interest to many engineering flow problems, specifically groundwater modelling. Comparison of the CVBEM and FVM flow field trajectory vectors for the target problem of ideal flow in a 90-degree bend shows good agreement between the considered methodologies.

Highlights

Such difficulties can be overcome in groundwater flow models when the groundwater equipotentials are coupled with streamlines [2], an approach that is embedded in the complex variable boundary element method (CVBEM)
A CFD computer program utilizing a finite volume methodology, known as EasyCFD, is used to develop a flow field vector outcome in a 90-degree bend which is compared with a similar vector flow field outcome that is developed by the Complex Variable Boundary Element Method (CVBEM)
The finite volume methodologies (FVM) velocity vectors and streamlines are displayed in red, overlaid on the CVBEM potential isocontours and vector field

Summary

Introduction

A CFD computer program utilizing a finite volume methodology, known as EasyCFD, is used to develop a flow field vector outcome in a 90-degree bend which is compared with a similar vector flow field outcome that is developed by the CVBEM. Such a CVBEM vector flow field is a direct result of the CVBEM approximation function for the conjugate component. The flow field vector outcome from EasyCFD is used to verify and validate the development of flow trajectory vectors by the CVBEM for ideal flow problems

Methods

Results

Conclusion