Cylindrical Heat Source , Ansys Fluent Analyse

Comprehension of Cylindrical Heat Source Simulation

Project Overview

Using ANSYS Fluent software, this simulation looks at the steady heating process of airflow inside a cylindrical form.  Aiming to study the thermal behavior and flow dynamics in the presence of a volumetric heat source by means of comprehensive CFD analysis.

Geometry and Meshing

Model Design

Using Design Modeler software, the geometry of the model is meticulously developed, stressing correct representation of the cylindrical configuration.

Meshing Details

Using ANSYS Meshing tool, the model is meshed using an unstructured mesh of 1,600,000 cells to guarantee resolution of important thermal and flow characteristics.

Cylindrical Heat Source Methodology

Heat Source Definition

The simulation uses cell zone condition to build a cylindrical heat source.  This heat source represents a constant volumetric heat generation rate of 252,972 W/m³ from the solid aluminum cylinder, continuously distributed across the domain.

Results and Conclusion

Simulation Outcomes

At the end of the simulation, contour plots for temperature, velocity, and pressure are generated.  Attributed to the reduced cross-sectional flow area, the entrance average of 0.00878484 m/s to the outflow of 0.0353417 m/s shows an increase in velocity.

Thermal Analysis

Corresponding to a computed heat transfer rate of 3.4 W/m², the air temperature moves from 300 K at the entrance to 1758 K at the outlet.  A temperature profile along the axial direction also shows a gradual rise in fluid temperature, with the most notable increase close to the model's start areas, hence stressing areas of maximum thermal activity.