A general simulation methodology for rigid buoyant objects in multi-phase flows using ANSYS-CFX

• Main Authors: Pantua, Conrad Allan Jay R., Lopez, Neil Stephen A., Marfori, Isidro V., Seva, Rosemary R., Chua, Alvin
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2014
• Subjects: Computational fluid dynamics; Buoyant ascent (Hydrodynamics); Mechanical Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/9246
• Institution: De La Salle University

The study will discuss the development of a computational fluid dynamics model for the simulation of buoyant effects on a rigid body immersed in a multiphase fluid using ANSYS-CFX. Consequently, the study will be significant as it will provide a new simulation methodology in the design of different floatation devices. The researchers identified four main challenges in developing the model: addressing the negative volume element error, minimizing calculation cost, defining fluid composition in a multiphase fluid domain, and formulating a meshing strategy that is easily adaptable to a variety of geometries. Different options and methodologies explored to address the challenges were discussed in this paper. The model underwent simulation on two different geometries for adaptability. The researchers' were able to setup an air-water fluid interface for the model. Convergence errors occurred in the simulation when geometries have un-rounded edges. Mesh deformation was prevented if the time step was reduced from a range of 0.01 to 0.001 seconds. Mesh independence was also achieved when mesh size was adjusted to fine levels. A floating body was successfully simulated using the strategies mentioned.