I am trying to figure out how you'd model a pressure-activated sealant within Ansys fluent. This would be able to seal over a small crack, represented by a pressure differential, on the inside of a pipe. How would I go about this? Is there a way to do so using the concept of a non-newtonain fluid?
You should implement flow into the crack that would require capillary flow model. So, the contact angle and the surface tension might have to be measured. Moreover, if you want to simulate the cross-linking of the sealant, you should implement the pressure-sensitive cure model by the fluent UDF.
Hi Sun Kyoung Kim, thank you for getting back to me. Is there any further insight you could offer on capillary flow models and the pressure-sensitive cure model within fluent UDF? Much appreciated.
To simulate the flow into the crack, the flow will be driven by both the pressure and the capillary force. So, characterize the contact angle and the surface tension considering the solid material. In terms of the viscosity, you may measure the sealant viscosity along with the shear rate. If it is shear dependent, choose a suitable non-Newtonian model. Once cure starts, it will be irreversible and viscosity will soar. You need a chemo-rheological model for that, which will provide viscosity dependent on the degree of cure. The degree of cure also should be modeled along with the pressure, temperature and time.
First, solve the flow with a Newtonian viscosity. If shear thinning happens, the pressure for crack filling will be lowered. Thus, a higher pressure will be obtained by the Newtonian viscosity. Check the pressure required for the full crack filling is lower than the cross-linking initiation pressure. Then, think about the next step.
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