NUMERICAL-SIMULATION OF THE GAS-FLOW IN A CIRCUIT-BREAKER

A computational methodology for the solution of unsteady two-dimensional/axisymmetric Euler equations within geometries with moving boundaries is presented. The flow simulation is carried out by applying a finite-volume method which makes use of a Lagrangian-Eulerian version of Roe's approximate Riemann solver. The domain discretization is handled via unstructured triangular grids. Grid adaptation is applied on the basis of geometric and physical requirements. The importance of the implicit treatment of the space conservation laws, based on geometric analysis, is evoked. The procedure for reconstructing Roe's method for moving meshes is described and validated. Finally, the ability of the method for the prediction of the transient flow in a circuit-breaker during its opening phase is illustrated.