Defining Cell Clusters

To reproduce the internal zones defined in the gPROMS network model, you divide the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ mesh into cell clusters.

For more information on cell clustering, see Coordinate Cell Clustering.

To enable cell clustering, you require an additional model in the physics continuum for the fluid simulation in Simcenter STAR-CCM+:

  1. In the relevant physics continuum, activate the Coordinate Cell Clustering model.
When creating clusters, you specify the number of divisions along each axis of the chosen coordinate system. Two method are provided by which you specify the number of divisions:
  • Number of Subdivisions — allows you to define an equal clustering distribution in all three axes. The subdivision points are spaced equally along each axis.
  • Control Points — allows you to define a non-equidistant clustering distribution for each axis. A linear parameter specifies the clustering which fits the control points to the bounding box of the domain being clustered.
  1. To set the number of divisions, right-click the Solvers > Coordinate Cell Clustering > Clustering Criteria node and select either Number of Subdivisions or Control Points.
  2. Select the Solvers > Coordinate Cell Clustering Solver node and set the Cluster Merging Threshold.
    For more information see Coordinate Cell Clustering Solver.
  3. Select the Solvers > Coordinate Cell Clustering > Clustering Criteria > Clustering Criterion node and set the following properties:
    • Coordinate System: Select the coordinate system with respect to which the mesh is divided into clusters. Depending on the domain symmetries, you can use either a Cartesian, cylindrical, or spherical coordinate system.
    • When using the Subdivision option, set Subdivisions to the number of equal portions into which the mesh is divided in each coordinate direction.
    • When using the Control Points option, for each of the three axes (first, second, and third), provide a vector list of the control point divisions along the axis. The vector list need not contain actual measured distances; Simcenter STAR-CCM+ normalizes the divisions according to the bounding dimensions of the domain in each direction. As a minimum the list must contain the first and last control point divisions which by default are 0 and 1 (corresponding to no divisions). Any unordered lists are ordered automatically. For an example see the following screenshot:

    For more information, see Coordinate Cell Clustering.

To divide the mesh into clusters:
  1. Run the Coordinate Cell Clustering Solver for at least one iteration.
  2. To visualize the clusters, you can plot the Cell Cluster Index field function in a scalar scene.
    For more information, see Coordinate Cell Clustering.