Hello everybody,

I need to simulate the whole thermal cycling bench we use to test or products (heat exchangers), in order to investigate flow behavior around the tested parts. Indeed, we suspect some flow recirculation in the bench.

You can find a description of the bench here: http://www.uploadimages.com/myalbum/7652

Here are my main questions: 1. the fans: how would you guys set up a simplified model of the fan? I just have no experience at all when it comes to fan modeling. after checking Fluent help /tutorials, it seems that several strategies are available (moving frame, fan model ...). I think it is important in my model to get a fairly good idea of the swirl.

2. the grills: as you can see in the legend, the grills are not homogeneous. I'm afraid this could affect the flow patterns pretty badly (specially the one the fan rings are welded on! Is there a simple way to account for that? a porous media, I would guess? Is there a standard method to calibrate such a thing?

Thanks in advance for your help.

/JB Leydet

i would appreciate some piece of advice...

thanks