Computational Fluid Dynamics Erosion Investigation Using Single Objective Adjoint Shape Optimization

Abstract

Adjoint methods integrated with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools can be used to tackle geometric optimization in processes and equipment in an industrial environment. This work presents a workflow for geometric optimization on a typical pipe elbow geometry using an adjoint–CFD methodology. It uses the ANSYS Fluent CFD and discrete adjoint solver in a stepwise way to guide shape modification to decrease pipe pressure drop. Finally, it discusses the effect of the optimized shape configuration on the predictions of three well-known erosion models. For the majority of gas velocity conditions investigated, a decrease occurred in the peak values and area spread of the erosion spots for the shape-optimized geometry. For some of the velocity conditions investigated a new erosion spot was predicted for the optimized geometry.