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FLOWNEX SE (2022)

The latest Flownex® 2022 release brings you a new transient solver, new mixture capabilities, our machine learning-powered reduced order model (ROM) builder and more!  Read our detailed release notes here.

 
The new transient solver is a non-iterative solver that can be selected on the fly and provides the capability of solving transient simulations up to 10 times faster. It is also now possible to create mixtures of mixtures specifically that a liquid and gas mixture can now be defined as consisting of a mixture of gases and a mixture of liquids. Through a new machine learning module, users can now create a ROM of their network which can be exported as an FMU. A built-in video recorder can now be used to record graphs and the screen synchronized with transient solving. Other enhancements include updates to the two-phase heat transfer correlations thereby improving the accuracy of two-phase heat transfer simulations. The latest Flownex® is also natively 4K compatible with an enhanced user experience related to graphs, scripts and other features.

MAJOR ENHANCEMENTS

New Non-Iterative Transient Solver

A new non-iterative transient solver has been implemented in Flownex®. Compared to the customary iterative solver, the non-iterative transient solver increases solve speed substantially during transient events by eliminating the need to iterate within time steps. This becomes very advantageous for networks of all sizes, but especially where large systems need to be modelled over a prolonged time span.

The user can switch between the iterative transient solver and the non-iterative transient solver via the dropdown provided in the Transient solver settings category on the Flow Solver input dialogue. For easy access, a direct toggle between the solvers was added as a tab to the Home ribbon as well.

Fig. 1 - Non-Iterative Transient Solver Toggle on the Home Ribbon.
Fig. 2 - Non-Iterative Transient Solver Selection Option in the Flow Solver.

The non-iterative transient solver retains the implicit pressure-velocity coupling in use for the iterative solver, thereby maximizing numerical stability in typical flow systems. Since the pressure-flow solution is not iterated with respect to the enthalpy solution, the method may be classified as semi-implicit.

Instead of using successive iteration with underrelaxation to obtain a converged solution, all governing equations are fully linearized with respect to the primary variables as well as the temporal variable, using exact and accurate gradients and derivatives without any relaxation. For this reason, all inputs within the Convergence, Relaxation Parameter as well as the Iterations categories become redundant when using the non-iterative transient solver option.

Mixture Generalization

The capability to create a mixture of fluids has been expanded to create mixtures of mixtures for all fluid types, with the exception of two-phase fluids. When a fluid mixture is created, the user now has the option to select more than one liquid and more than one gas when creating mixtures for each of those phases. The below figure shows a Gas and Liquid Mixture, where the user can create a liquid mixture and a gas mixture that consists of multiple liquids and gases within the liquid-gas mixture.

Fig. 3 - Example of a Gas and Liquid Mixture with a Mixture of Gases and a Mixture of Liquids.

Mixing rules for transport properties are applied to the individual phases separately and in the case of a liquid-gas mixture, additional liquid-gas mixing rules are applied when determining the transport properties of the liquid-gas mixture-of-mixtures.

To use the new capability a mixture is configured in the Fluid mixture specification dialog.  The remaining user interface experience has not changed.  Mixture mass fraction boundary conditions are specified as before, with the list of fluid components expanded to include all of the components of the mixture.

Fig. 4 - Specifying Mass Fractions of a Liquid-Gas Mixture which Contains a Liquid Mixture and Gas Mixture.

Similarly, the result property displays the fluid component mass fraction results for the expanded mixture of mixtures, as seen in Figure 5.

Fig. 5 - Mass Fraction Results of a Liquid-Gas Mixture which Contains a Liquid Mixture and Gas Mixture.

As phase transitions in two-phase fluids are significantly impacted by the presence of other two-phase fluids, the new mixture capability does not currently include the possibility to create a mixture of two-phase fluids.  It is however possible to create a Two-Phase Fluid and Gas Mixture where a mixture of gasses can be specified with a single two-phase fluid, as seen in Figure 6.

Fig. 6 - Two-Phase Fluid and Gas Mixture.

ROM Builder

The Flownex® ROM (Reduced Order Model) Builder generates a multi-platform enabled FMU (Functional Mock-up Unit) containing a Neural Network that was trained on sensitivity analysis data. The user is guided from specifying the input and result properties, creating sample data in a sensitivity analysis, specifying the Neural Network hyperparameters, evaluating the trained Neural Network to exporting the FMU ROM using one convenient dialog. The ROM Builder Configuration dialog can be seen in the image below:

Fig. 7 - ROM Builder Configuration.
Fig. 8 - ROM Builder training a Neural Network

Video Recorder

The capability has been added to record graphs and the screen synchronized with transient solving. The video recording options are added to the properties of each graph. When “Record graph as video” is set to “Yes”, a new video is recorded for each transient run. From the Video Recorder task properties (under Solvers), Flownex® can be configured to record the whole screen.

Fig. 9 - Recording a graph to the Videos folder.

Two Phase Flow Heat Transfer

The two-phase fluid generator has been updated to include Steiner and Taborek normalized coefficients and includes an updated radiation model specification. In previous versions the Steiner and Taborek normalized coefficients were effectively hardcoded and were only available for a limited number of two-phase fluids.  These coefficients have now been moved to the two-phase fluid data files and the fluid generator therefore required updating to allow the user to provide the appropriate values for generated fluids.  The latest two-phase data file format also provides for the selection of the radiation participation model to be used for the generated fluid.

Fig. 10 - Two-Phase Fluid Importer with Saturated Boiling and Radiation Model Specification.

MINOR ENHANCEMENTS

User Interface Framework

Higher resolution (4K) compatibility has been added to the Graphical User Interface.

Actions

The capability to specify a Ramp action has been added. When a Ramp action is created, the user can specify the duration and final value for the action rather than the coefficients for a straight line.

Fig. 11 - Ramp Action.

Units

  • The mils unit has been added that is used for vibration.
  • Added the capability for a user to reset the unit of a property to the current selected unit system default. This option is available on the context menu on a property, as seen below.
Fig. 12 - Reset Unit Option.

Graphs

  • Added a property to change point symbols to be solid or hollow.
  • Added a ThinCross symbol type.
Fig. 13 - ThinCross Symbol Type and Solid Symbol Option Properties added to Graphs.
  • Grouping line items with the same unit group onto one Y-axis is now possible. The “Display multiple Y-Axis” property has been replaced with ”Axes displayed” property.
Fig. 14 - Axes Displayed Property.
Fig. 15 -Axes Displayed Property.

Component Characteristic Graphs

  • An option to view all Angles on Compressor Component Characteristic Graph has been added.
  • Angles are now available to be checked/unchecked from the graph legend.
  • All four dimension’s values of the chart are displayed in the chart tooltip.
  • Only plotting the closest lines functionality is still available by setting a new property: “Show closest background lines” to “Yes”. Property is below “Background lines”.
  • By default, all lines with check boxes will be displayed for new graphs and graphs from older projects.

Scripting

  • The Script component has been updated such that the “Initialise” function is called only once before Steady State and “Cleanup” is called once after Steady State. This is done if any or all of the options are active for Before, During and After Steady State. Previously it was called multiple times during Steady State if more than one of the options were active.
  • The Iterative Script’s “Initialise” and “Cleanup” functions now works similar to a normal Script and is called before and after every steady state and called before and after every transient.
  • The font of the code editor was changed to a monotype font in order for spacing to align better.
  • A repository was added that allows for easy sharing of values between scripts. The repository of values can also be loaded and saved as needed.
    • The repository is used in the following manner:
      • To add or change a value:

IPS.Scripting.SharedValueRepository.AddOrUpdateDoubleValue(“MyVal”, 10.0);

      • To access a value from a different script:

double val = IPS.Scripting.SharedValueRepository.GetDoubleValue(“MyVal”);

    • The repository supports the following functions:
      • void AddOrUpdateDoubleValue(string Name, double Value);
      • void AddOrUpdateIntegerValue(string Name, int Value);
      • void AddOrUpdateBooleanValue(string Name, bool Value);
      • void AddOrUpdateStringValue(string Name, string Value);
      • void AddOrUpdateValue(string Name, System::Object^ Value);
      • double GetDoubleValue(string Name);
      • int GetIntegerValue(string Name);
      • bool GetBooleanValue(string Name);
      • string GetStringValue(string Name);
      • System::Object^ GetValue(string Name);
      • bool HasValue(string Name);
      • void SaveRepository(string FileName);
      • void LoadRepository(string FileName);

Drawing

  • An application setting has been added so that new pages have the viewport in the middle of the page. This setting is false by default.
Fig. 16 - Viewpoint in Center for New Pages Setting.

Snaps

  • Added an application wide setting: “Turn snap before run on by default”. This option is false by default, but a user can make it true, then it will be on for all new projects.
Fig. 17 - Turn Snap Before Run on by Default Option.

PCF Importing

  • Added a default import mapping that imports components other than only pipes as applicable.
Fig. 18 - Import Configuration Dialog.

Data Transfer Links

  • Implemented bi-directional data transfer capability for Data Transfer Links. The user can drag and drop from the left or the right side of the Data Transfer Link Setup dialog. The direction of the transfer is indicated by the arrows. Bi-directional transfers show arrows at both sides, as seen below.
Fig. 19 - Bi-Directional Data Transfer Capability for Data Transfer Links.
  • The letters F and C are displayed on a Data Transfer Link when a factor (F) or constant (C) is used.
Fig. 20 - F and C Displayed on Drawing Page.

Flow Path Graphs

  • Added the ability to plot Flow Path Graphs along the Rotating Annular Gap length and length increments of the Rotating Channel.

Two Phase Pressure Loss

  • Added output for Lockhart-Martinelli two-phase pressure loss calculations and the parameters that are used in its calculation as results.

Heat Transfer

  • Reynolds and Prandtl Number results have been added to convective subdivision element results.
  • Errors have been implemented to prevent Composite Heat Transfer element to Composite Heat Transfer element connection via a solid Node with non-adiabatic boundary conditions, since these are non-physical configurations.

Relap Coupling

  • Added an option to Relap simulation to save every transient step’s output file.
  • Fixed the problem where the minor edits were deleted in Relap files.
  • Allow users to add additional inputs or outputs to the Flow solver coupling. This is especially useful to extract additional results from the Relap simulation.

Command Logging

  • Flownex® logs many of the user actions now to a file. This log is useful to keep track of what was changed in a project and when.
  • The command log files are located in the project folder in the sub folder CmdRec\Logs.
  • Each new Flownex® session starts a new log with the date and time of the session. The user, operating system and computer name are recorded at the top of each file.
  • The following user actions are recorded to the file:
    • Interaction with the drawing canvas (e.g. adding, deleting, selecting components).
    • Interaction with pages (opening, closing, selecting pages).
    • Interaction with snaps (saving, loading).
    • Setting component inputs.
    • Solving commands (solve steady state, transient, stopping etc.).
Fig. 21 - Command Logging Text File.

FMI

  • Exported Flownex® FMUs now launch a separate console that communicates with the Flownex® instance that is launched. This is done to enable the FMU binary to be unloaded by the master simulator. The binary was previously locked until the master simulator process shuts down due to the CLR being loaded as part of the binary. All CLR code is now loaded in the separate console process.
  • The locked binary gave a warning or error when the FMU was unloaded, even though the FMU functioned correctly.

NIST Importer

  • The NIST fluid importer was updated to list all the available fluids and mixtures in NIST.

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