Comsol-Pressure drop fluid flow in rectangular channel problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a pressure drop problem in a rectangular channel using COMSOL software. Participants explore issues related to solver errors encountered when setting various inlet velocities and discuss potential solutions and modeling strategies.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Arun describes encountering a solver error when setting the inlet velocity to 0.5 m/s, while lower velocities do not produce the same issue.
  • One participant suggests ramping the velocity gradually to avoid sudden changes that could destabilize the solver.
  • Another recommendation includes changing the boundary conditions to total pressure at the inlet and static pressure at the outlet for improved stability.
  • Arun reports success after modifying the model to a time-dependent setup, which resolved the solver crash issue.
  • A later reply elaborates on the importance of normalizing mean flow at the initial time to prevent discontinuities that could lead to high flux and unstable solutions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of gradual changes in velocity and appropriate boundary conditions to enhance solver stability. However, there are no explicit consensus points on the best approach, as different strategies are suggested.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the potential for solver instability due to sudden changes in flow conditions and the need for careful modeling practices. Specific assumptions about boundary conditions and flow normalization are noted but not resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for users of COMSOL facing similar issues with fluid flow simulations, particularly in relation to solver stability and boundary condition settings.

baranii2000
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Dear all,

I am trying to solve a simple model with Comsol to find the pressure drop in a rectangular channel W=5mm, h=0.6mm, L=10mm. When i try to set the inlet velocity to 0.5m/s the solver shows the error message "Maximum number of Newton iterations reached". The solver works fine if i set the input velocity to lower velocity(eg., 0.005m/s). when i increase the velocity to 0.05 m/s the solver ends up with the error message. I even tried to increase the height of the channel, still get the same error sequence.

I am using a Stationary, Direct (Pardiso)solver.

Any comments or help is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Arun
 
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I'm not familiar with COMSOL, but here are a couple things you can try. First, try ramping the velocity up. Solvers hate suddenly seeing a flow.

Also, you can try changing the boundary condition to total pressure at the inlet, and static at the outlet for a first cut. These tend to be more well posed than others and can have better stability.
 
Thanks Minger,

Actually your comment on the solver crash on seeing sudden high velocity at inlet was very useful. I remodelled as a time dependent file and now it works fine...

Many thanks

Arun
 
Right, just to clarify a little more on what happens. Unless you normalize your mean flow at t=0 to some value, at that time 0, you suddenly impose a velocity at the inlet. One point inwards your trying to either take a derivative or calculate an integral with a discontinous flow.

You will calculate an artificially high flux at that point, which will then give you an artificially high time derivative. This will just continue until your solution blows up.
 

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