Learning Forum

[Celine Lim]

Hi all,

For a project that I am working on I am looking at a transient, quasi-dynamic coupling between Fluent and TRNSYS. In this case, Fluent will intake temperature data from TRNSYS to be inputed as a boundary condition, and the output of Fluent will be used as an input boundary conditino in TRNSYS for the next iteration. However, I am not sure how such cross over simulation between two different numerical platforms would work. 

I did my research and have seen previous studies coupled Fluent and TRNSYS in their projects. However, there is not much details on how such coupling is possible in a transient manner. If anyone here has had any experience dealing with such problem, I would love to hear any guidance/advice on how to tackle this problem.

Thank you, Celine. 

[Rahul]

Hello,

I don't have experience experience dealing with such coupling, but from previous studies I could see that this coupling can be done via a script and results file. TRNSYS controls this whole coupling as it is easier to integrate new components in TRNSYS. 

A script file is a *.in file, created by TRNSYS that is read by FLUENT. It contains the journal file with all the inputs to the CFD simulation: specific models to be used, updated boundary conditions, and which outputs to be produced. A results file is a *.txt file, created by FLUENT containing the outputs from the CFD tool. These outputs can be localised or mean values. 
Check with TRNSYS about generating script file to be used for such coupling.

You can refer to following studies for reference:

• Coupled TRNSYS-CFD simulations evaluating the performance of PCM plate heat exchangers in an Airport Terminal building displacement conditioning system.
• Advances on the coupling between a commercial CFD package and a component-based simulation program.