Components

FlowDesigner provides a comprehensive library of hydraulic components that serve as the building blocks for creating accurate fluid system models. Understanding how to effectively use these components is essential for successful hydraulic modeling and analysis.

What Are Components in FlowDesigner?

Components are individual physical elements that represent real-world equipment in your hydraulic system. Each component has specific properties and behaviors that affect system performance, from basic pipes and fittings to complex equipment like pumps, valves, and heat exchangers.

Essential Component Categories

Boundary Components

Every hydraulic model requires boundary conditions to define system entry and exit points:

• Inlet Boundaries: Define system entry points with known pressures or flows.

• Outlet Boundaries: Establish system exit points with specified conditions.

These boundaries are essential for solving hydraulic networks and establishing reference conditions for flow distribution calculations.

Pipe Components

• Pipes: Transport fluid between components with various materials and sizing options.

• Connections: Physical interfaces that define how fluid flows through the system.

FlowDesigner implements intelligent connection rules that automatically manage junction types, flow directions, and connectivity constraints.

Equipment Components

• Boosters: Centrifugal and positive displacement pumps for increasing fluid pressure.

• Valves: Including control valves, check valves, and relief devices for flow regulation

• Heat Exchangers: For thermal management applications.

• General Resistances: K, Kf, Kv-based fittings, filters, and user-defined components.

• Size Change Components: Orifices, expanders, reducers for pipe transitions.

Junction Components

• Cross Junctions: Accommodate exactly four pipe connections without generating pressure losses.

• Connectors: Junction types for more than four pipe connections while maintaining hydraulic accuracy.

Accessing and Placing Components

Elements Palette

Components are accessed through the Elements Palette positioned on the left side of the flowsheet. Each category displays the most recently used element by default, with all available options visible when you hover over any box.

Component Placement

1. Click an element to activate placement mode (indicated by a highlighted box).

2. Place it directly onto the flowsheet with a single click.

3. Use drag-and-drop functionality for rapid deployment.

Smart Connection System

FlowDesigner automatically adds appropriate components like tees and elbows as you connect pipes, eliminating manual placement of these elements.

Advanced Component Features

Case Modes

Components offer two distinct calculation approaches:

• Design Mode: Determines the required size or hydraulic characteristics needed to meet specified requirements.

• Rating Mode: Simulates performance of specific equipment specifications in your hydraulic model.

Case modes are available for pumps, orifices, control valves, sprinklers, and relief valves.

SmartSelect Integration

SmartSelect rapidly explores alternative specifications from manufacturer databases based on hydraulic calculations. This feature helps you:

• Quickly select standard pipe sizes and equipment specifications.

• Apply manufacturer data directly to your model.

• Evaluate multiple options with instant recalculations.

Component Charts

Visualize individual component performance characteristics through graphical displays. These charts show relationships between key operating parameters like:

• Pump curves and valve characteristics.

• Pressure drop relationships.

• Performance data for analysis and troubleshooting.

Component Management and Workflow

Multi-Component Operations

FlowDesigner supports efficient bulk operations:

• Multi-selection: Edit common properties across multiple components simultaneously.

• Global Updates: Apply shared updates to similar components at once.

• Batch Editing: Modify multiple components with common fields.

Component Database Integration

FlowDesigner provides comprehensive databases that minimize manual data entry:

• Fluid Properties: Extensive library with validated thermophysical properties.

• Equipment Data: Manufacturer specifications for pumps, valves, and other equipment.

• Standard Components: Industry-standard pipes, fittings, and accessories.

Smart Templates

Accelerate project development with pre-configured industry-standard layouts that automatically generate complete sub-networks like pump stations and control valve assemblies.

Component Visualization and Analysis

Flowsheet Integration

Components appear on the flowsheet with:

• Visual Indicators: Directional components show flow direction with red triangle markings.

• Flexible Sizing: Resize component icons for better visibility and presentation.

• 2D/3D Views: Switch between perspectives for complex system visualization.

Results Analysis

Access comprehensive component performance data through:

• Component-Specific Results: Detailed calculation data for individual components.

• System-Wide Analysis: Insight charts analyzing data across multiple components.

• Real-Time Updates: Instant recalculation when component specifications change.

Best Practices for Component Usage

Model Structure

Every FlowDesigner model needs three essential elements:

• Inlet boundary conditions.

• Pipes and intermediate components.

• Outlet boundary conditions.

Connection Guidelines

Follow FlowDesigner's connection rules:

• Pipes must always terminate at node connections.

• Components automatically handle pipe merging and splitting.

• System maintains hydraulic integrity through intelligent constraint management.

Performance Optimization

• Use appropriate case modes for your analysis goals.

• Leverage SmartSelect for rapid component selection.

• Apply component charts to verify operating points and troubleshoot issues.

Conclusion

FlowDesigner's comprehensive component library, combined with intelligent automation features, provides everything needed for accurate hydraulic modeling. From basic pipe networks to complex industrial systems, understanding how to effectively select, place, and configure components is fundamental to successful fluid system design and analysis.

The platform's integration of real-world manufacturer data, automated sizing capabilities, and advanced visualization tools ensures that your component selections translate into reliable, optimized hydraulic systems that meet both performance requirements and industry standards.