Defining a Volume Flow Rate Inlet

You can create a flow inlet that specifies the volume of fluid that enters the fluid domain in a specified time period.

See Also
About Inlets
Defining the Fluid Physics of a Flow Simulation
In Other Guides
Editing Simulation Features
  1. From the Boundaries section of the action bar, click Volume Flow Rate .
  2. Optional: Customize the default Name of the inlet.
  3. Select the surface where fluid enters the domain.
  4. Specify the Volume Flow Rate of the fluid flowing into this inlet in a specified time period.

    If you want to apply a scale factor or amplitude to the flow rate values, click , then specify either or both of the following:

    OptionDescription
    Scale factor A multiplier that is applied to the magnitude of the flow rate component in each step.
    Amplitude Name of the amplitude curve that defines the magnitude of the flow rate during the step.
  5. Specify the Temperature of the fluid flowing into this inlet.

    If you want to apply a scale factor or amplitude to the temperature values, click , then specify either or both of the following:

    OptionDescription
    Scale factor A multiplier that is applied to the magnitude of the flow rate in each step.
    Amplitude Name of the amplitude curve that defines the magnitude of the flow rate during the step.
  6. Describe the turbulent flow at this inlet by selecting a Turbulence specification and customizing its settings. The following turbulence specifications are available:
    OptionDescription
    Viscosity ratio Define turbulence by specifying the eddy viscosity ratio.
    Intensity - Length scale Define turbulence by specifying the turbulence intensity, characteristic length scale, and velocity scale.
    Turbulent viscosity Define turbulence by specifying the kinematic eddy viscosity.

    The specific turbulence customization settings that appear depend on your specification choice and on the turbulence model you chose in the physics definition. For a full description of all available turbulence settings, see Initial Turbulence Options.

  7. For multispecies flow analyses, you can also specify the mass fraction of the materials flowing through the inlet. For more information, see Defining Mass Fractions at an Inlet.
  8. For a multiphase simulation using the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method, you can also specify the material distribution flowing through the inlet. In addition, gravity waves can be specified as part of the material distribution. For more information, see Defining Volume Fractions at an Inlet
  9. If surface-to-surface radiation is enabled in the fluid physics, you can specify the radiation behavior at the inlet. For more information, see Defining Surface-to-Surface Radiation Behavior at an Inlet.
  10. If particle physics are active, you can specify how the particles interact with the inlet. For more information, see Defining a Particle Boundary.
  11. Click OK.