Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is an analytical method used to study the flow of fluids through complex geometry. The CFD method is used in many industries ranging from engineering to medicine, and it has become an essential tool for a wide range of engineers, scientists and researchers.
CFD has been around for more than 15 years and has evolved into a powerful computational tool that can be used by engineers in many different situations. In this article, we will look at what CFD is and how it works. This introductory article can be of immense help to you if you plan on enrolling in CFD training courses in the future.
What is Computational Fluid Dynamics?
Computer modelling has become an integral part of modern engineering design. For example, CAD (computer-aided design) programs are used to create models for products such as planes, cars and trains. But what is CFD engineering? Engineers use computer models to simulate the performance characteristics of these products under different conditions before they are built or tested in the real world. In addition to developing new designs, engineers also use CFD methods to analyse existing designs or components to predict their behaviour or understand how they behave under certain conditions.
Why is CFD important?
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a powerful modelling technique that allows you to analyse and predict the flow of fluids. There are many different types of CFD tools, but all of them use the same principles and equations to simulate the flow of a fluid. This can be very helpful when designing systems or products with moving parts, such as pumps and fans.
The classical fluid dynamics problems have been solved using rigorous mathematical models for years. However, these models are very complex to evaluate numerically and therefore unsuitable for large-scale applications. On the other hand, small-scale problems can be solved analytically or by using empirical formulas that only require simple assumptions about the flow properties (e.g., constant density). Furthermore, accurate solutions for small-scale flows can be obtained using iterative methods such as finite difference methods or projection methods. These methods only apply to steady-state problems or initial steady-state conditions where all unknowns are known upfront.
In contrast to previous approaches, which involved solving a multitude of separate equations by hand or using different software packages (e.g., finite element analysis), CFD brings together all relevant equations into one.
There are many reasons to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in your design and analysis process. Some of the most common include:
- Reducing cost by reducing time spent in the design process: The main advantage of using CFD is that it reduces the time required to develop a product, reducing your overall costs.
- Improving efficiency: Improving efficiency by predicting performance better than could be achieved using only intuition. Computational fluid dynamics can provide better predictions for geometries and materials than can be achieved through intuition alone. This can allow you to create products with higher quality and reliability at a lower cost.
- Revealing potential problems before they occur: CFD can be used to identify problems that may not be readily apparent by other means, such as visual inspection or even human intuition.
