Fluid networks usually require manual adjusting before they will flow with the correct flow rates & pressures. That’s because these 3 types of links in particular have to be manually tuned to be accurate:

• Conductors. These aren’t too complicated but there are a lot of them. Look at your network and you’ll probably find that most of the links in it are conductors.
• Regulator & Check Valves. These are extra-complicated and tricky conductors.
• Pumps/Fans. These are also extra-complicated and tricky conductors, but in different ways.
  • Fortunately, systems rarely have both pumps and regulators in the same flow path, so we don’t have to worry about those 2 interacting.

For all 3, pressures and flows interact. Not just in the link by itself, but also with all the other links in the flow circuit. Adjusting one link affects the flows & pressures of all the other links, and you end up going in circles. This can be very frustrating and time-wasting, so it’s important to know how to do it properly.

1. Reduce the variables.
2. REDUCE THE VARIABLES.
3. Tune the fluid network as much as possible before integrating it with any other aspects or fluid networks.

• reduce the variables:
  • disconnect all aspect interfaces
  • turn off thermal & mixture effects
  • replace centrifugal fans/pumps with GunnsFluidPotential
  • lock valve positions
• conductors
  • reduce to simpler equivalent branches
  • start with x-section area or throat area, tune down from there
• pressure-sensitive valves
• pump/fans (constant speed)
• thermal back in (constant boundary)
• connect aspect and supply/demand interfaces, adjust tuning of integrated system

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