[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":104},["ShallowReactive",2],{"zJLN6Gftvb9CwELergIVGber13LPDqbCCqek8QQ6wWg":3,"article_how-long-is-the-flow_solidworks":10,"_apollo:default":102,"_apollo:identified":103},{"mailchimpAudience":4},{"actionUrl":5,"slug":6,"locale":7,"default":8,"__typename":9},"","how-long-is-the-flow","en","https:\u002F\u002F3ds.us3.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe\u002Fpost?u=ed4601044e1936748c0d2aa6b&id=e5080ff9fe&f_id=002d4de2f0","MailchimpAudience",{"posts":11},{"nodes":12,"__typename":101},[13],{"id":14,"slug":6,"title":15,"uri":16,"excerpt":17,"locale":18,"featuredImage":21,"tableOfContents":29,"content":30,"date":31,"authorJobTitle":5,"author":32,"masterings":45,"globalTags":49,"products":58,"disciplines":72,"seo":90,"__typename":100},"cG9zdDo0MzQ5NA==","How long is the flow?","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fhow-long-is-the-flow","\u003Cp>I was asked yesterday if it was possible to calculate how long…\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"locale":19,"__typename":20},"en_US","Locale",{"node":22,"__typename":28},{"large":23,"__typename":24,"medium_large":23,"thumbnail":25,"srcSet":26,"sizes":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20120a940f46b970b.png","MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20120a940f46b970b-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20120a940f46b970b.png 327w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20120a940f46b970b-300x231.png 300w","(max-width: 327px) 100vw, 327px","NodeWithFeaturedImageToMediaItemConnectionEdge",[],"\u003Cp>I was asked yesterday if it was possible to calculate how long the flow lasts inside the domain during a flow simulation? Think of this another way and it is easy to solve; how long does it take a particle to pass through the domain when it enters the flow inlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>To do this, we therefore start off by performing a particle study:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Insert a new Particle Study \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Define an injection of particles from the inlet \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Run the Particle Study \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\u003Cp>Then, to find the time of a particle in the domain, simply RMB on the Particle Study created and View Results.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Hit the Summary button,\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"417\" height=\"285\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2bf9970b.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43497\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2bf9970b.png.webp 417w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2bf9970b-300x205.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 417px) 100vw, 417px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>and you will get a table of results for each particle injected into the inlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"475\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2bfb970b.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43498\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2bfb970b.png.webp 475w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2bfb970b-300x170.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>  \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The thing you are interested in here is the \u003Cem>Residence Time\u003C\u002Fem>, which is the “life time” of the particle, or how long it exists in the calculated domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>However there are some other interesting details here too. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The \u003Cem>Length\u003C\u002Fem> is the physical distance travelled by the particle whilst in the domain. You will notice that each particle has a different length and residence time, and this is simply due to the fact that each particle will take different paths depending on their starting position in the flowstream. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The picture below shows this clearly as some of the inlet particles travel all around the circumference of the external pipe, whereas others travel more directly from inlet to outlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"498\" height=\"295\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2c06970b.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43499\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2c06970b.png.webp 498w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2c06970b-300x178.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 498px) 100vw, 498px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>This means that you should consider if you need to know the min, max, or average of the residence times for your particular application.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>You will also notice that the Summary table gives you the \u003Cem>Fate\u003C\u002Fem> of each particle and this leads us to another interesting option in Particle Studies.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you go to the Boundary Conditions tab in the Particle Study setup and edit the default setup, you will see three options for the boundary conditions. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"324\" height=\"185\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2c0a970b.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43500\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2c0a970b.png.webp 324w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2c0a970b-300x171.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 324px) 100vw, 324px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>This determines what happens when the particles meet the walls of the domain, and the options are:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Absorption – The particles are absorbed by the walls. This is typical for liquid particles.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Ideal reflection – The particles are reflected from the walls. This is typical for solid particles.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Reflection – Specify the normal \n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"25\" height=\"24\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2c0f970b.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43501\">\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\u003Cp> and tangential \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"23\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2c14970b.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43502\">\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\u003Cp> restitution coefficients which are ratios of the absolute value of the normal and tangential velocity components correspondingly after and before the collision:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"351\" height=\"137\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2c15970b.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43503\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2c15970b.png.webp 351w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20153935e2c15970b-300x117.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>So the \u003Cem>Fate\u003C\u002Fem> of the individual particles may be to reach the opening, be absorbed, or possibly to end their time still within the domain when the calculation finishes. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Technorati Tags: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechnorati.com\u002Ftags\u002FSolidWorks+Flow+Simulation\" rel=\"tag\">SolidWorks Flow Simulation\u003C\u002Fa>,\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechnorati.com\u002Ftags\u002FTips+and+Tricks\" rel=\"tag\">Tips and Tricks\u003C\u002Fa>,\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechnorati.com\u002Ftags\u002FParticle+Study\" rel=\"tag\">Particle Study\u003C\u002Fa>,\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechnorati.com\u002Ftags\u002FResidence+Time\" rel=\"tag\">Residence Time\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>","2010-03-16T08:15:46",{"node":33,"__typename":44},{"nicename":34,"description":35,"slug":36,"name":37,"firstName":38,"lastName":39,"avatar":40,"__typename":43},"matthew-west","SolidWorks alumnus. I like plate reverb, Rat pedals, Thai curry, New Weird fiction, my kids, Vespas, Jazzmasters, my wife & Raiders of the Lost Ark. Not necessarily in that order.","matthew west","Matthew West","Matthew","West",{"url":41,"__typename":42},"https:\u002F\u002Fsecure.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002F99a015fa66378b074c072d231bf89f09261c76386aced5d2484e485b75541f61?s=96&d=mm&r=g","Avatar","User","NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge",{"nodes":46,"edges":47,"__typename":48},[],[],"PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnection",{"nodes":50,"__typename":57},[51],{"id":52,"name":53,"slug":54,"uri":55,"__typename":56},"dGVybTo5NjA3","Simulation","simulation","\u002Ftags\u002Fsimulation\u002F","Taxonomy_tag","PostToTaxonomy_tagConnection",{"edges":59,"nodes":69,"__typename":71},[60],{"isPrimary":61,"node":62,"__typename":68},false,{"id":63,"name":64,"slug":65,"uri":66,"__typename":67},"dGVybTo1Ng==","SOLIDWORKS","solidworks","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","Taxonomy_product","PostToTaxonomy_productConnectionEdge",[70],{"id":63,"name":64,"slug":65,"uri":66,"__typename":67},"PostToTaxonomy_productConnection",{"nodes":73,"edges":85,"__typename":89},[74],{"id":75,"name":53,"slug":54,"uri":76,"parentId":77,"disciplines":78,"__typename":84},"dGVybTo4NQ==","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fsimulation\u002F",null,{"nodes":79,"__typename":83},[80],{"title":53,"uri":81,"parentId":77,"__typename":82},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fsimulation","Discipline","Taxonomy_disciplineToDisciplineConnection","Taxonomy_discipline",[86],{"isPrimary":61,"node":87,"__typename":88},{"parentId":77,"id":75,"name":53,"slug":54,"uri":76,"__typename":84},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnectionEdge","PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnection",{"canonical":5,"title":91,"metaDesc":5,"opengraphAuthor":5,"opengraphDescription":92,"opengraphTitle":15,"opengraphUrl":93,"opengraphSiteName":94,"opengraphPublishedTime":95,"opengraphModifiedTime":96,"twitterTitle":5,"twitterDescription":5,"readingTime":97,"metaRobotsNoindex":98,"__typename":99},"How long is the flow? - Blog Solidworks","I was asked yesterday if it was possible to calculate how long…","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fhow-long-is-the-flow\u002F","Blog Solidworks","2010-03-16T12:15:46+00:00","2026-02-12T17:34:01+00:00",2,"noindex","PostTypeSEO","Post","RootQueryToPostConnection",{},{},1777164941710]