3D contaminant transport by GFEM with hexahedral elements

This work aims to apply the GFEM (Galerkin Finite Element Method), with hexahedral elements in concentration transport problems in a three-dimensional domain. Since these problems are highly convective in nature, a study of the GFEM with 8 and 27-node hexahedron is performed. For such, an application with an analytical solution is performed by examining the norms L-2 and L-infinity from the error in the numerical solution; especially considering the variation of the velocity components, and the geometry of the proposal. Finally, the application involved the transport of an ammonia concentration through a tubulation containing holes caused by ruptures, which allows for inward air flow; thus, in this study, the influence of the variation of hole quantities, the maximum drainage velocity, and the geometry employed are analyzed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.