Best Practices in FlowNex

Unlock the full potential of FlowNex with these expert tips and strategies designed to streamline your workflow and enhance your projects.

What is FlowNex

FlowNex is a powerful software tool designed for the modeling and simulation of fluid systems. It provides engineers and designers with the capabilities to create, analyze, and optimize complex fluid networks. With its intuitive interface and robust set of features, FlowNex is utilized across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and energy.

By leveraging FlowNex, users can gain detailed insights into fluid dynamics, identify potential issues, and make data-driven decisions to enhance system performance. Whether you are dealing with HVAC systems, hydraulic circuits, or any other fluid-related applications, FlowNex offers a comprehensive solution to meet your needs.

Best Practices in FlowNex for Efficiency

To get the most out of FlowNex, it is crucial to optimize your workflow for efficiency. Start by familiarizing yourself with the software’s interface and features. Take advantage of the built-in tutorials and documentation to understand the best practices for model creation and simulation.

Before building a network, think about the following:

A. What is the layout of the system that needs to be modeled?

• Draw the system in your notebook or in a suitable software tool
• Include known pressures, temperatures, flowrates

Here is an example of a pressure vessel system which has been drawn in a notebook before being assembled in FlowNex (Figure 1)

Figure 1. System network drawn on a notebook for better guidance

B. What do I need to simulate?

• Do I need the model the entire system?
• Are there sections I can model with boundary conditions instead?

C. Can I build the network in parts?

• Is there a section I can build first that is not dependent on another section?

Here is an example of how the pressure vessel system shown in Figure 1 can be broken up into various sections (Figure 2). This helps to understand the system better before assembling in FlowNex. 

Figure 2. Broken up network system during the thinking phase

D. Follow a piece-by-piece network building philosophy

• Build sections of the network and test
• Add components as you go along whilst solving each time
• Save often!

Here is an example of a piece-by-piece network building philosophy (figure 3). Each step can be assembled and simulated as a separate drawing page in FlowNex.

Figure 3. Piece-by-piece network building in FlowNex 

E. For large networks

• Only model what is necessary
• Build network in stages
  • Move boundary conditions as you add components
  • Solve the network often to correct mistakes before you repeat them
• Disable sections of network and add boundary conditions to debug solving errors
• Add a background image for guidance  

For example, for a network generated already in the drawing page (Figure 4a), one can add a background image first, and then create the network over the image (Figure 4b)

Figure 4 (a) The network, and (b) the same network assembled over the image

Additionally, make use of FlowNex’s extensive library of pre-defined components and templates to expedite the modeling process. Regularly update your software and utilize the latest features and enhancements to stay ahead of the curve.

Summary

• Plan your simulations carefully
• Focus on the engineering questions
• Lay the network out clearly