Learning Forum

[cakal]

Hi,

I have the following 3D solid block coil geometry in Fluent 2021 R2. It has a higher thermal conductivity in the direction normal to the excitation plane compared to in-plane thermal conductivities. For example, for portion 1,  the thermal conductivity is higher in the z-direction. For portion 2, thermal conductivity is higher in the z-y direction. Since the excitation plane changes direction at different parts of the coil, the coil has a varying thermal conductivity in XYZ directions along its path.

Can you help me to define this anisotropic changing thermal conductivity for this geometry in ANSYS Fluent?

 

Thanks! 

 

[SRP]

Hi,

To define anisotropic thermal conductivity for a solid material, select anisotropic for Thermal Conductivity in the Create/Edit material dialog box.

For more details, please refer to user's guide: 8.5. Thermal Conductivity (ansys.com)

If you are not able to access the link, please refer to this forum discussion: Using Help with links (ansys.com)

Hope you find this useful.

Thank you

 

[Rob]

In the above you can use UDFs but the easier approach will be to create a few different materials, and split the solid into separate volumes based on the direction. 

It's a problem I've seen a few times, and one I can't easily answer here. However, it's also a nicely drawn up specification to pass onto the Product team. 

[Rob]

 

In this case can you use

Then turn on the material orientation in the solid cell zone. 

 

 

[cakal]

Hi Rob,

Thank you for your answer. Creating different materials based on the direction would solve the problem. 

You suggested turning on the material orientation in the solid cell zone. How do I do that?

Thanks!

[Rob]

Use the cyclic option in the material and then there's an option in the solid cell zone panel for orientation. If it's not there have a look in 2023R1