Fast, nonlinear network flow solvers for fluid and thermal transient analysis

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to present a fast nonlinear solver for the prediction of transients in network flows. Design/methodology/approach -Broyden method-based nonlinear solvers are developed to solve the system of conservation equation for fluids by judiciously exploiting physical coupling among the equations. Findings -To demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of the solvers, two test cases of practical engineering interest were solved. The results obtained by the solvers were verified against analytical results for a simplified case. The performance of the solvers was found to be comparable or better than existing solvers. Originality/value -The proposed solver enables predictions of fluid and thermal transients in complex flow networks feasible in reduced computational time.