Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y

Eléctrica

Laboratorio de Combustión

Producto Integral de Aprendizaje

Análisis térmico de una cámara de combustión
 Introduction
In this activity we will develop a thermal analysis in ANSYS Workbench 18.1, the
purpose of this activity is to be able to interact not only with 2D structures but also
with 3D structures, to know different tools to facilitate the process of drawing and to
know how the different temperatures change along our model. The material to be
used in this practice will be the structural steel for experimental purpose, so we will
know if this material could be used for a combustion chamber.

Conceptual Framework
The ANSYS Workbench platform is the framework upon which the industry’s
broadest and deepest suite of advanced engineering simulation technology is built.
An innovative project schematic view ties together the entire simulation process,
guiding the user through even complex multiphysics analyses with drag-and-drop
simplicity. With bi-directional CAD connectivity, an automated project level update
mechanism, pervasive parameter management and integrated optimization tools,
the ANSYS Workbench Platform delivers unprecedented productivity, enabling
simulation driven product development.

The ANSYS Workbench environment is an intuitive up-front finite element analysis

tool that is used in conjunction with CAD systems and/or DesignModeler. ANSYS
Workbench is a software environment for performing structural, thermal, and
electromagnetic analyses. The class focuses on geometry creation and optimization,
attaching existing geometry, setting up the finite element model, solving, and
reviewing results. The class will describe how to use the code as well as basic finite
element simulation concepts and results interpretation.

What is the difference between ANSYS Mechanical APDL and

ANSYS Workbench? What advantages am I getting over one
another during analysis (structural)?
The difference is how much control you have over the model. APDL stands for
ANSYS Parametric Design Language. That means you are writing the program,
often in batch mode, as opposed the point and click operations in a GUI as you would
be doing in Workbench. You can also use a combination approach by setting up
general things that are much easier to do in a GUI and then applying APDL
commands to do more complicated things that are not standard in the Workbench
environment.

Edit: I said you often write the

APDL program in batch mode,
but I should clarify. You often
EDIT the program to include
more complicated and
sophisticated commands and
run it in batch mode. It can be
difficult to write the entire
program by sitting in front of
your text editor and going
through the APDL command
reference so you usually use
individual commands and GUI
functionality to set up the
simple things in Mechanical
APDL and then take the log file
which shows everything you
did in command form. You then
take this log file and make that
the basis of your program to
which you append your higher-
level modifications.
 Model.

In our case, we designed a 3-layer annular combustion chamber (the combustion

base, and two layers that retain heat), in addition to adding circular radiators along
the base plate in order to increase the speed at which the piece is cooled by
convection.
 Meshing and Boundary Conditions

The conditions of the test were entered in Steady State Thermal, where we started
by entering which were the contact regions of one solid with another, because as
mentioned above, the piece was designed with 3 different layers.

After entering the conditions of mesh where it was specified in medium mesh and to
follow the curvature of the piece since this turbine to be annular is full of curves.
Once the above was done, the temperature parameters were entered, in which
based on the information about temperatures reached inside a combustion chamber,
the decision was made to enter the value of 1500 ° C inside the base part and of 22
° C (Ambient temperature) for the outside of the piece.

As well as the value of its convection coefficient was entered to determine by the
material how fast it is able to exchange heat with the air.
 Simulation Results

As we can see the maximum temperature of the piece is in the base since that is
where the combustion takes place, hence the base is cooled as it approaches the
nozzle of the combustion chamber. It is important to note how quickly the cooling of
the piece takes place by the time it reaches the second and third layers, thanks to
the circular radiators that were added to the piece.

For the results of heat flow we observed that most of the heat flow is concentrated
in the nozzle since it is the section where the cold air that enters the combustion
chamber is received, therefore it is where there can be a temperature difference
much higher.
 Conclusion
As a conclusion we can determine that the use of finite element analysis method for
3D structures is very versatile, fast and easy to interpret. So it is very useful in any
area of engineering, from building structures to ribs on the wing of an airplane or the
heat transfer inside a combustion chamber. The way in which change of temperature
are represented will serve us a lot in the future when we are in a project in the design
area, since we can determine which geometries are best for us in our design and
thus avoid overheat failures.

References
 Fpl.fs.fed.us. (2018). [online] Available at:
https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr113/ch04.pdf [Accessed 19
Mar. 2018].
 Norrie, D. (2014). Finite Element Method. Elsevier Science.
 https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-ANSYS-
Mechanical-APDL-and-ANSYS-Workbench-What-advantages-am-I-getting-
over-one-another-during-analysis-structural