Fluid/rigid Body Interaction In Complex Industrial Flows

Abstract

Fluid-mechanism interactions occur in a wide range of flow meter categories including turbine and positive displacement systems as well as many flow control devices. This paper outlines computational methods for calculating the dynamic interaction between moving parts and the flow in a flow meter system. The method allows coupling of phenomena without need for access to the source codes and is thus suitable for use with commercially available codes. Two methods are presented; one with an explicit integration of the equations of motion of the mechanism and the other with implicit integration. Both methods rely on a Navier-Stokes equation solver for the fluid flow. The more computationally expensive implicit method is recommended for mathematically stiff mechanisms such as piston movement. The methods are proved against analytical solutions for classical interaction situations and the methods are applied to model real flow meter behaviour. The advances in mesh technology including deforming meshes with non-matching internal sliding interfaces opens up this new field of application for Computational Fluid Dynamics and mechanical analysis in flow meter design.