CFD simulation for aux fuel kit
CFD simulation for aux fuel kit
(OP)
What I have is an auxiliary fuel kit that is to be installed between the throttle body and the intake manifold. What I want to do is simulate where the atomized fuel would end up in the system at any given air flow rate. Would anyone be able to recommend me a good CFD program to accomplish this? And is this possible just using SolidWorks? Any help would be great!





RE: CFD simulation for aux fuel kit
I have no idea if this will provide the answers you are seeking or even if what you are looking to do is even sensible, but it may be worth a try.
PJGD
RE: CFD simulation for aux fuel kit
Look at nitrous plates that are available at hot-rod shops for the traditional carbureted intake manifolds. Usually they have a tube extending across the width of the opening with holes drilled in it to hopefully distribute the flow more-or-less evenly across the width. I doubt if anyone did any CFD on these ... just old-fashioned ruff calc followed by cut and try.
RE: CFD simulation for aux fuel kit
RE: CFD simulation for aux fuel kit
If you're looking at a simplified method, check the software has the ability for Lagrangian particle tracking. As mentioned, this is a pretty complex case (disperse 2-phase flow, gas/liquid interactions, probably evaporation, etc) - but if you just want to get a feel for fuel distribution, you can use particle tracking as a 'poor man's 2-phase flow'. Instead of solving two lots of the N-S equations for each fluid phase, particle tracking basically just injects particles at a point, and tracks how they flow through the single phase fluid. This can give a reasonable idea on the spread of fuel, but you'll have to check whether you can set 'injection patterns' to mimic injector spray shape, etc.
As I mentioned though, it all depends on how much cash you have - from memory Fluent was a reasonably-priced system, but probably still pretty pricey. Some distributors provide leasing costs though, so you can just hire the licence for as long as you need it. Others offer 'cloud based' versions, so you only use the modeller licence and then pay for server time when you want to run your model. There might be something available for Solidworks (not sure sorry).
RE: CFD simulation for aux fuel kit
Dont forget intermittent flow from the plenum into 6 individual runners - in firing order. The flow/time profile for each runner will be complex and rpm dependant although it could probably be adequately approximated after researching the literature.
je suis charlie
RE: CFD simulation for aux fuel kit
Another thing that I think would be interesting is using some sort of dye on the inside of the ports to give you an idea where the points with most flow friction are. The fuel would “wash” the dye more where those points happen. Of course, I made that idea up as I went along. I have no idea how/if that would work. But it could be possible to allow the fuel to leave evidence wherever it is most concentrated
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