Introduction
After calculating a model in FluidFlow, analyzing the results is a critical step in evaluating system performance, identifying potential issues, and optimizing your design. FluidFlow provides comprehensive tools for examining calculation outputs, managing warnings, and customizing result displays to meet your specific project needs.
This guide explains how to effectively navigate the results interface, interpret component-specific outputs, understand and respond to warnings, and adjust result displays to streamline your analysis process—all without requiring additional calculations.
Accessing and Viewing Results
Viewing Component-Specific Results
Select any component on the flowsheet to view its specific results in the Results tab of the Data Palette
Results displayed automatically update as you select different components on the flowsheet
Different component types show relevant results specific to their function
Component-Specific Result Parameters
Component Type | Key Results Displayed |
Pipes | Flow rate, velocity, friction loss, size |
Pumps | Duty flow, pressure rise, efficiency, power, NPSH |
Control Valves | Valve opening, calculated Cv, friction loss, flow rate |
Heat Exchangers | Heat transferred, outlet temperatures, friction loss |
Example: When analyzing a pipe system, you might find a main header pipe with a velocity of 6.42 m/s (exceeding recommended limits) while a tail-end pipe shows only 0.18 m/s (below minimum recommendations).
Customizing Visible Results
To focus on specific parameters and reduce clutter, you can use any of these methods:
Right-click inside the Results tab and select Visible Results from the context menu
Click the Settings button under the Results tab and choose Visible Results
Press F8 on your keyboard
Navigate to Options → Environment → Visible Results
This opens the Set Visible Results window, where you can select only the most relevant parameters for your current analysis needs.
Displaying Results on the Flowsheet
To visualize results directly on your flowsheet:
Select the component you want to display properties for
In the Input Editor, locate the Properties on Flowsheet option and set it to Show
Configure which specific result properties to display
Adjust the alignment and font settings as needed
Ensure the Show or Hide Properties button on the flowsheet settings toolbar is engaged
This visualization helps you quickly identify patterns and issues across your network without switching between components.
Understanding Key Result Parameters
Some of the key result parameters are:
Flow Rate: Volume or mass of fluid passing through a component per unit time
Friction Loss: Energy lost due to fluid friction in pipes/fittings
Velocity: Speed at which fluid moves through pipes or components
Economic Pipe Size: Cost-effective pipe diameter balancing capital and operational expenses
Actual Pipe Size: Current installed diameter
Phase Changes: Transitions between liquid, gas, and two-phase flow
Fluid Properties: Density, viscosity, and other operating condition data
Gas Systems: Additional metrics include compressibility, Mach number, and expansion factors—critical for accurate compressible flow design.
Important: Be careful to distinguish between gauge pressure and absolute pressure in your results. Misinterpreting these can lead to significant design errors.
Interpreting Warnings and Hints
Identifying Warning Messages
When calculation results exceed preset limits:
Affected components appear highlighted in red on the flowsheet
The Messages tab on the Data Palette lists all warnings and errors
Clicking on a message automatically highlights the relevant component on the flowsheet
Additional details about each warning appear in the description panel at the bottom of the Messages tab
Common Warning Types
Warning Type | Default Limits | Potential Implications |
High Pipe Velocity | Liquid: 4 m/s | Excessive erosion, noise, vibration, water hammer risk |
Low Pipe Velocity | Liquid: 0.2 m/s | Sediment buildup, inefficient operation |
Valve Position < Min Limit or > Max Limit | Liquid: 20% to 75% | Poor control, valve damage risk |
Configuring Warning Settings
To customize alerts based on your project's specific requirements:
Navigate to Options → Warnings and Hints in the main menu
Adjust thresholds for various parameters:
Liquid, gas, and two-phase velocities
Control valve openings
Enable or disable specific warning types to focus on critical issues
Tip: When working with specialized systems that intentionally operate outside standard parameters, adjust warning thresholds to match your specific design requirements rather than disabling warnings completely.
Engineering Judgment and Warnings
It's important to understand that:
A warning does not necessarily mean the calculation failed or the results are invalid
Warnings indicate parameters operating outside defined limits
Some warnings may be acceptable within your system's safety and operational tolerances
Each warning should be evaluated individually using sound engineering judgment
Unless otherwise specified, a warning does not mean the model did not calculate properly. The results determined are as accurate as the quality of input provided. Warnings are simply there to help identify potential design improvements.
Customizing Result Units
To change measurement units without recalculating your model:
Go to Options → Environment → Result Units in the main menu
Alternatively, press F9 on your keyboard
Adjust units for various parameters:
Flow rate (m³/h, L/s, gpm, kg/h)
Pressure/Head Drop (bar, kPa, psi, m Fluid)
Length (m, mm, inches)
And more
Changes apply immediately without requiring recalculation
Advantage: This feature allows you to quickly switch between different unit systems for comparing results, preparing localized reports, or conforming to specific industry standards without recalculating your model.
Best Practices
Set visible results regularly to maintain focus on the most relevant parameters
Review all warnings carefully before dismissing them—minor issues can sometimes indicate larger system problems
Document the rationale when choosing to accept warnings rather than implement changes to eliminate them
Maintain consistent units throughout your project to avoid misinterpretation
Display critical results directly on the flowsheet for easier visualization across the network
Customize Warnings and Hints settings to match specific criteria for each fluid service
Apply engineering judgment when deciding which warnings require design changes
Thoroughly evaluate results to confirm they align with expectations
FAQs
Q: Does a warning mean my calculation results are invalid?
A: No. If your input data is correct, the results remain valid—warnings simply highlight parameters that fall outside defined limits for further consideration.
Q: Should I fix every warning in my model?
A: Not necessarily. Use engineering judgment to determine which warnings represent issues that need addressing. Some warnings may be acceptable for your specific application.
Q: Can I hide all warnings to simplify my view?
A: Yes, but it's recommended to review all warnings first to ensure you're not overlooking critical issues before disabling them.
Q: Do I need to recalculate my model after changing display units?
A: No. Unit changes only affect how results are displayed—they don't alter the underlying calculations.
Q: What's the difference between an error and a warning?
A: An error indicates a problem that prevented calculation completion, while a warning highlights a condition that may be unideal, but didn't prevent the calculation from finishing.
Q: How can I display multiple result values on the flowsheet at once?
A: Select similar component types, enable Properties on Flowsheet, and choose the specific result properties you want to display. While you can enable Show Properties on Flowsheet for all applicable components simultaneously, you should select result properties for similar component types only, as different components have varying result parameters.
Conclusion
Efficiently analyzing results in FluidFlow is crucial for system evaluation and optimization. By customizing visible results, displaying data directly on the flowsheet, configuring result units, and setting appropriate warning thresholds, you can extract maximum value from your FluidFlow models while saving time.
The ability to distinguish between critical warnings and acceptable deviations from standards allows engineers to make informed decisions based on solid engineering principles.
Mastering these analysis techniques empowers engineers to quickly identify optimization opportunities, validate designs against requirements, and communicate findings effectively—ultimately leading to more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective fluid systems.