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The work submits new release of the FlowVision software designed for automation of engineering calculations in computational fluid dynamics: FlowVision 3.09.05. The FlowVision software is used for solving different industrial problems. Its popularity is based on the capability to solve complex non-tradition problems involving different physical processes. The paradigm of complete automation of labor-intensive and time-taking processes like grid generation makes FlowVision attractive for many engineers. FlowVision is completely developer-independent software. It includes an advanced graphical interface, the system for specifying a computational project as well as the system for flow visualization on planes, on curvilinear surfaces and in volume by means of different methods: plots, color contours, iso-lines, iso-surfaces, vector fields. Besides that, FlowVision provides tools for calculation of integral characteristics on surfaces and in volumetric regions.

The software is based on the finite-volume approach to approximation of the partial differential equations describing fluid motion and accompanying physical processes. It provides explicit and implicit methods for time integration of these equations. The software includes automated generator of unstructured grid with capability of its local dynamic adaptation. The solver involves two-level parallelism which allows calculations on computers with distributed and shared memory (coexisting in the same hardware). FlowVision incorporates a wide spectrum of physical models: different turbulence models, models for mass transfer accounting for chemical reactions and radioactive decay, several combustion models, a dispersed phase model, an electro-hydrodynamic model, an original VOF model for tracking moving interfaces. It should be noted that turbulence can be simulated within URANS, LES, and ILES approaches. FlowVision simulates fluid motion with velocities corresponding to all possible flow regimes: from incompressible to hypersonic. This is achieved by using an original all-speed velocity-pressure split algorithm for integration of the Navier-Stokes equations.

FlowVision enables solving multi-physic problems with use of different modeling tools. For instance, one can simulate multi-phase flows with use of the VOF method, flows past bodies moving across a stationary grid (within Euler approach), flows in rotary machines with use of the technology of sliding grid. Besides that, the software solves fluid-structure interaction problems using the technology of two-way coupling of FlowVision with finite-element codes. Two examples of solving challenging problems in the FlowVision software are demonstrated in the given article. The first one is splashdown of a spacecraft after deceleration by means of jet engines. This problem is characterized by presence of moving bodies and contact surface between the air and the water in the computational domain. The supersonic jets interact with the air-water interphase. The second problem is simulation of the work of a human heart with artificial and natural valves designed on the basis of tomographic investigations with use of a finite-element model of the heart. This problem is characterized by two-way coupling between the “liquid” computational domain and the finite-element model of the hart muscles.

The study of the physiological and pathophysiological processes in the cardiovascular system is one of the important contemporary issues, which is addressed in many works. In this work, several approaches to the mathematical modelling of the blood flow are considered. They are based on the spatial order reduction and/or use a steady-state approach. Attention is paid to the discussion of the assumptions and suggestions, which are limiting the scope of such models. Some typical mathematical formulations are considered together with the brief review of their numerical implementation. In the first part, we discuss the models, which are based on the full spatial order reduction and/or use a steady-state approach. One of the most popular approaches exploits the analogy between the flow of the viscous fluid in the elastic tubes and the current in the electrical circuit. Such models can be used as an individual tool. They also used for the formulation of the boundary conditions in the models using one dimensional (1D) and three dimensional (3D) spatial coordinates. The use of the dynamical compartment models allows describing haemodynamics over an extended period (by order of tens of cardiac cycles and more). Then, the steady-state models are considered. They may use either total spatial reduction or two dimensional (2D) spatial coordinates. This approach is used for simulation the blood flow in the region of microcirculation. In the second part, we discuss the models, which are based on the spatial order reduction to the 1D coordinate. The models of this type require relatively small computational power relative to the 3D models. Within the scope of this approach, it is also possible to include all large vessels of the organism. The 1D models allow simulation of the haemodynamic parameters in every vessel, which is included in the model network. The structure and the parameters of such a network can be set according to the literature data. It also exists methods of medical data segmentation. The 1D models may be derived from the 3D Navier – Stokes equations either by asymptotic analysis or by integrating them over a volume. The major assumptions are symmetric flow and constant shape of the velocity profile over a cross-section. These assumptions are somewhat restrictive and arguable. Some of the current works paying attention to the 1D model’s validation, to the comparing different 1D models and the comparing 1D models with clinical data. The obtained results reveal acceptable accuracy. It allows concluding, that the 1D approach can be used in medical applications. 1D models allow describing several dynamical processes, such as pulse wave propagation, Korotkov’s tones. Some physiological conditions may be included in the 1D models: gravity force, muscles contraction force, regulation and autoregulation.

Verification results of supersonic turbulent jets computational characteristics are presented. Numerical simulation of axisymmetric nozzle operating is realized using FlowVision CFD. Open test cases for CFD are used. The test cases include Seiner tests with exit Mach number of 2.0 both fully-expanded and under-expanded $(P/P_0 = 1.47)$. Fully-expanded nozzle investigated with wide range of flow temperature (300…3000 K). The considered studies include simulation downstream from the nozzle exit diameter. Next numerical investigation is presented at an exit Mach number of 2.02 and a free-stream Mach number of 2.2. Geometric model of convergent- divergent nozzle rebuilt from original Putnam experiment. This study is set with nozzle pressure ratio of 8.12 and total temperature of 317 K.

The paper provides a comparison of obtained FlowVision results with experimental data and another current CFD studies. A comparison of the calculated characteristics and experimental data indicates a good agreement. The best coincidence with Seiner's experimental velocity distribution (about 7 % at far field for the first case) obtained using two-equation $k–\varepsilon$ standard turbulence model with Wilcox compressibility correction. Predicted Mach number distribution at $Y/D = 1$ for Putnam nozzle presents accuracy of 3 %.

General guidelines for simulation of supersonic turbulent jets in the FlowVision software are formulated in the given paper. Grid convergence determined the optimal cell rate. In order to calculate the design regime, it is recommended to build a grid, containing not less than 40 cells from the axis of symmetry to the nozzle wall. In order to calculate an off-design regime, it is necessary to resolve the shock waves. For this purpose, not less than 80 cells is required in the radial direction. Investigation of the influence of turbulence model on the flow characteristics has shown that the version of the SST $k–\omega$ turbulence model implemented in the FlowVision software essentially underpredicts the axial velocity. The standard $k–\varepsilon$ model without compressibility correction also underpredicts the axial velocity. These calculations agree well with calculations in other CFD codes using the standard $k–\varepsilon$ model. The in-home $k–\varepsilon$ turbulence model KEFV with compressibility correction a little bit overpredicts the axial velocity. Since, the best results are obtained using the standard $k–\varepsilon$ model combined with the Wilcox compressibility correction, this model is recommended for the problems discussed.

The developed methodology can be regarded as a basis for numerical investigations of more complex nozzle flows.

The paper presents the results of numerical simulation of different-temperature water flows turbulent mixing in a T-junctions in the FlowVision software package. The article describes in detail an experimental stand specially designed to obtain boundary conditions that are simple for most computational fluid dynamics software systems. Values of timeaveraged temperatures and velocities in the control sensors and planes were obtained according to the test results. The article presents the system of partial differential equations used in the calculation describing the process of heat and mass transfer in a liquid using the Smagorinsky turbulence model. Boundary conditions are specified that allow setting the random velocity pulsations at the entrance to the computational domain. Distributions of time-averaged water velocity and temperature in control sections and sensors are obtained. The simulation is performed on various computational grids, for which the axes of the global coordinate system coincide with the directions of hot and cold water flows. The possibility for FlowVision PC to construct a computational grid in the simulation process based on changes in flow parameters is shown. The influence of such an algorithm for constructing a computational grid on the results of calculations is estimated. The results of calculations on a diagonal grid using a beveled scheme are given (the direction of the coordinate lines does not coincide with the direction of the tee pipes). The high efficiency of the beveled scheme is shown when modeling flows whose general direction does not coincide with the faces of the calculated cells. A comparison of simulation results on various computational grids is carried out. The numerical results obtained in the FlowVision PC are compared with experimental data and calculations performed using other computing programs. The results of modeling turbulent mixing of water flow of different temperatures in the FlowVision PC are closer to experimental data in comparison with calculations in CFX ANSYS. It is shown that the application of the LES turbulence model on relatively small computational grids in the FlowVision PC allows obtaining results with an error within 5%.

The reentry vehicle of the transportation spacecraft that is being created by RSC Energia in regular mode makes soft landing on land surface using a parachute system and thruster devices. But in not standard situations the reentry vehicle also is capable of executing a splashdown. In that case, it becomes important to define the hydrodynamics impact on the reentry vehicle at the moment of the first contact with the surface of water and during submersion into water medium, and to study the dynamics of the vehicle behavior at more recent moments of time.

This article presents results of numerical studies of hydrodynamics forces on the conical vehicle during splashdown, done with the FlowVision software. The paper reviews the cases of the splashdown with inactive solid rocket motors on calm sea and the cases with interactions between rocket jets and the water surface. It presents data on the allocation of pressure on the vehicle in the process of the vehicle immersion into water medium and dynamics of the vehicle behavior after splashdown. The paper also shows flow structures in the area of the reentry vehicle at the different moments of time, and integral forces and moments acting on the vehicle.

For simulation process with moving interphases in the FlowVision software realized the model VOF (volume of fluid). Transfer of the phase boundary is described by the equation of volume fraction of this continuous phase in a computational cell. Transfer contact surface is described by the convection equation, and at the surface tension is taken into account by the Laplace pressure. Key features of the method is the splitting surface cells where data is entered the corresponding phase. Equations for both phases (like the equations of continuity, momentum, energy and others) in the surface cells are accounted jointly.

The paper presents results of experimental, computational and analytical study of the effect of nonequilibrium chemical activation of air-fuel mixture on effectiveness of Diesel process. The generation of a high-voltage multi-streamer discharge in combustion chamber at the compression phase is considered as the method of the activation. The description of electrical discharge system, results of measurement and visualization are presented. The plasma-chemical kinetics of nonequilibrium ignition is analyzed to establish a passway for a proper reduction of chemical kinetics scheme. The results of numerical simulation of gas dynamic processes at presence of plasma-assisted combustion in a geometrical configuration close to the experimental one are described.

The results of verification carried out for investigations of hydrodynamic effect on reentry conicalsegmental space vehicle are presented in the paper. The program complex Flow Vision is used for this analysis. The purpose of the study is verification of using Flow Vision program complex for problem solving mentioned above on the base of comparison between calculated and experimental data, obtained on the Apollo landing models and new development reentry spacecraft of manned transporting spaceship designed by RSC Energia. The comparison was carried out through the data of pressure values on spacecraft model surfaces during its water landing and inertia center motion parameters.

The results of study show good agreement between experimental and calculated data of force effects on vehicle construction during water landing and its motion parameters in the water medium. Computer simulation sufficiently well reproduces influence of initial velocities & water entry angles variations on water landing process.

Using of computer simulation provides simultaneous acquisition of all data information needed for investigation of water landing peculiarities during construction design, notably, hydrodynamic effects for structural strength calculations, parameters and dynamics of center mass motion and vehicle revolution around center mass for estimation water landing conditions, as well as vehicle stability after landing.

Obtained results confirm suitability of using Flow Vision program complex for water landing vehicle investigations and investigations of influence of different landing regimes through wide initial condition change range, that permits considerably decrease extent of expensive experimental tests and realize landing conditions which are sufficiently complicated for realizing in model physical experiments.

The paper describes an analytical study of hydrodynamic processes taking place in the course of coolant flow through a fuel assembly of the core of a fast neutron sodium-cooled reactor. Within the framework of the study, a procedure and an analytical model were developed based on program complex FlowVision of computational fluid dynamics, which, using proved simplifications, permits to obtain a coefficient of rod lifting margin of a fuel assembly and to study hydrodynamic characteristics of processes taking place in the course of simulation of different initial events influencing motion of a reactor core fuel assembly.

For analytical justification a fuel assembly model was developed, which is equivalent by hydraulic resistance values and permits not to simulate explicitly a complicated full-scale fuel assembly design, thus, decreasing a number of computational cells in the model and, as a result, reducing computational and time resources.

Hydraulic parameters of the equivalent fuel assembly model in program complex FlowVision were analyzed in two stages. At the first stage, to determine the minimum rod lifting margin coefficient of a fuel assembly, steady-state analyses were performed, where various flowrate values were assigned at the model inlet and forces acting upon the assembly were analyzed. A series of dynamic mode analyses was performed at the second stage. Jump-like pressure increase being the initial event which could occur hypothetically in the fast neutron sodium cooled reactor plant was assigned in these modes. Hydrodynamic parameters and forces acting upon the fuel assembly were determined.

The results of the first stage of the analytical study proved the minimum coefficient of rod lifting margin of a fuel assembly of the fast neutron reactor justified in reactor plant design documentation. As a result of the second stage of the study, conclusions were made on impossibility for the fuel assembly to move at the initial event associated with jump-like pressure increase in the reactor pressure chamber.

The article presents the results of a numerical study of the flow structure in a two-dimensional flat diffuser. A feature of diffusers is that they have a complex anisotropic turbulent flow, which occurs due to recirculation flows. The turbulent RANS models, which are based on the Boussinesq hypothesis, are not able to describe the flow in diffusers with sufficient accuracy. Because the Boussinesq hypothesis is based on isotropic turbulence. Therefore, to calculate anisotropic turbulent flows, models are used that do not use this hypothesis. One of such directions in turbulence modeling is the methods of Reynolds stresses. These methods are complex and require rather large computational resources. In this work, a relatively recently developed two-fluid turbulence model was used to study the flow in a flat diffuser. This model is developed on the basis of a two-fluid approach to the problem of turbulence. In contrast to the Reynolds approach, the two-fluid approach allows one to obtain a closed system of turbulence equations using the dynamics of two fluids. Consequently, if empirical equations are used in RANS models for closure, then in the two-fluid model the equations used are exact equations of dynamics. One of the main advantages of the two-fluid model is that it is capable of describing complex anisotropic turbulent flows. In this work, the obtained numerical results for the profiles of the longitudinal velocity, turbulent stresses in various sections of the channel, as well as the friction coefficient are compared with the known experimental data. To demonstrate the advantages of the used turbulence model, the numerical results of the Reynolds stress method EARSM are also presented. For the numerical implementation of the systems of equations of the two-fluid model, a non-stationary system of equations was used, the solution of which asymptotically approached the stationary solution. For this purpose, a finite-difference scheme was used, where the viscosity terms were approximated by the central difference implicitly, and for the convective terms, an explicit scheme against the flow of the second order of accuracy was used. The results are obtained for the Reynolds number Re = 20 000. It is shown that the two-fluid model, despite the use of a uniform computational grid without thickening near the walls, is capable of giving a more accurate solution than the rather complex Reynolds stress method with a high resolution of computational grids.

Nowadays, active development of 4th generation nuclear reactors with liquid metal coolants takes place. Therefore, simulation of their elements and units in 3D modelling software are relevant. The thermal-hydraulic analysis of reactor units with liquid metal coolant is recognized as one of the most important directions of the complex of interconnected tasks on reactor unit parameters justification. The complexity of getting necessary information about operating conditions of reactor equipment with liquid-metal coolant on the base of experimental investigations requires the involvement of numerical simulation. The domestic CFD code FlowVision has been used as a research tool. FlowVision software has a certificate of the Scientific and Engineering Centre for Nuclear and Radiation Safety for the nuclear reactor safety simulations. Previously it has been proved that this simulation code had been successfully used for modelling processes in nuclear reactors with sodium coolant. Since at the moment the nuclear industry considers plants with lead-bismuth coolant as promising reactors, it is necessary to justify the FlowVision code suitability also for modeling the flow of such coolant, which is the goal of this work. The paper presents the results of lead-bismuth eutectic flow numerical simulation in the heat exchange tube bundle of NPP steam generator. The convergence studies on a grid and step have been carried out, turbulence model has been selected, hydraulic resistance coefficients of lattices have been determined and simulations with and without $k_\theta^{}$-$e_\theta^{}$ model are compared within the framework of fluid dynamics and heat exchange modeling in the heat-exchange tube bundle. According to the results of the study, it was found that the results of the calculation using the $k_\theta^{}$-$e_\theta^{}$ turbulence model are more precisely consistent with the correlations. A cross-verification with STAR-CCM+ software has been performed as an additional verification on the accuracy of the results, the results obtained are within the error limits of the correlations used for comparison.