A FINITE-VOLUME METHOD FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE EXTRUDATE SWELL PROBLEM ON UNSTRUCTURED TRIANGULAR MESHES

The extrudate swell phenomenon is analysed by solving, simultaneously, the Navier-Stokes equations along with the continuity equation by mea ns of a finite volume method. In this work, the planar jet flows of in compressible viscous Newtonian and power-law fluids for Reynolds numbe rs as high as 75 are simulated. The method uses the velocity component s and pressure as the primitive variables and employs an unstructured triangular grid and triangular or polygonal control volume for each se parate variable. The numerical results show good agreement with previo usly reported experimental and numerical results. Shear thickening res ults in an increase in swelling ratio, while the introduction of surfa ce tension results in a describes in swelling ratio.