COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS (CFD)

Introduction: Fluid dynamics

Fluid dynamics is the science of fluid motion. Fluid flow is commonly studied in one of three
ways:
- Experimental Method.
- Theoretical /Analytical Method.
- Numerical Method; computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
This course seeks to obtain the knowledge required to understand and be able to solve practical
fluid flow problems using CFD.

What is Computational fluid dynamics?

 Computational fluid dynamics, usually abbreviated as CFD, is a branch of fluid
mechanics that uses numerical methods and algorithms to solve and analyze problems
that involve fluid flows.
 Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can also be defined as science of predicting fluid
flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, chemical reactions, and related phenomena by solving
numerically the set of governing mathematical equations
– Conservation of mass
– Conservation of momentum
– Conservation of energy
– Conservation of species
– Effects of body forces
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) uses powerful computers and applied mathematics to
model fluid flow situations. With highspeed supercomputers, better solutions can be achieved.
Ongoing research yields software that improves the accuracy and speed of complex simulation
scenarios such as transonic or turbulent flows.
The success of CFD computations are based on how well the results of numerical simulation
agree with experiment in cases where careful laboratory experiments can be established, and how
well the simulations can predict highly complex phenomena that cannot be isolated in the
laboratory.
CFD has become an integral part of the engineering design and analysis environment of many
companies because of its ability to predict the performance of new designs or processes before
they are ever manufactured or implemented
The results of CFD analyses are relevant in:

 Conceptual studies of new designs.

 Detailed product development.
 Troubleshooting.
 Redesign.
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In design and development, CFD programs are now considered to be standard numerical tools
which predict not only fluid flow behaviour, but also;
- the transfer of heat, mass (such as in perspiration or dissolution),
-phase change (such as in freezing, melting or boiling),
-chemical reaction (such as combustion or rusting),
-mechanical movement (such as an impeller turning, pistons, fans or rudders) and
-stress or deformation of related solid structures (such as a mast bending in the wind).
-Furthermore, CFD has been applied to deal with problems in environment and
architecture.

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Advantages of using CFD
The advantages of CFD can be categorized as;
1. It provides a detailed understanding of flow distribution, weight losses, mass and heat
transfer, particulate separation, etc.
2. It makes it possible to evaluate geometric changes with much less time and cost than
would be involved in laboratory testing.
3. It is able to reduce scale-up problems because the models are based on fundamental
physics and are scale independent.
4. It is particularly useful in simulating conditions where it is not possible to take detailed
measurements such as high temperature or dangerous environment in an oven.
5. It gives an insight into flow patterns that are difficult, expensive or impossible to study
using traditional (experimental) techniques.
6. Since it is a pro-active analysis and design tool, it can highlight the root cause not just the
effect when evaluating plant problems.

Experiments vs. Simulations

As a rule, CFD does not replace the measurements completely but the amount of experiment
tests and the overall cost can be significantly reduced. Therefore, the CFD analysis complements
testing and experimentation by reducing total effort and cost required for experimentation and
data acquisition.

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LIMITATION OF CFD
1. CFD solutions rely upon physical models of real world processes (e.g. turbulence,
compressibility, chemistry, multiphase flow, etc.). The CFD solutions can only be as
accurate as the physical models on which they are based
2. Numerical errors. Solving equations on a computer invariably introduces numerical
errors. Round-off error: due to finite volume size available on the computer. Round-off
errors will always exist (though they can be small in most cases). Truncation error: due to
approximations in the numerical models. Truncation errors will go to zero as the grid is
refined. Mesh refinement is one way to deal with truncation error.
3. Boundary conditions. As with physical models, the accuracy of the CFD solution is only
as good as the initial/boundary conditions provided to the numerical model.

NOTE: Results obtained from CFD simulation are never 100% reliable because

 the input data may involve too much guessing or imprecision

 the mathematical model of the problem at hand may be inadequate
 the accuracy of the results is limited by the available computing power

CFD - how it works

ANSYS CFD solvers are based on the finite volume method.

 Analysis begins with a mathematical model of a physical problem

 Domain is discretised into a finite set of control Control volumes

Fig 1: Fluid region of pipe flow is discretised into a finite set of control volumes
 General conservation (transport) equations for mass, momentum, energy, species, etc. are
solved on this set of volumes

 Partial differential equations are discretized into a system of algebraic equations

 All algebraic equations are then solved numerically to render the solution field
 Fluid properties are modeled empirically.
 Simplifying assumptions are made in order to make the problem tractable (e.g., steady-
state, incompressible, inviscid, two-dimensional).
 Provide appropriate initial and boundary conditions for the problem.
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CFD Modeling Overview

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Step 1. Define Your Modeling Goals
• What results are you looking for (i.e. pressure drop, mass flow rate),
and how will they be used?

• What are your modeling options?

• What simplifying assumptions can you make (i.e. symmetry, periodicity)?
• What simplifying assumptions do you have to make?
• What physical models will need to be included in your analysis

• What degree of accuracy is required?

• How quickly do you need the results?

• Is CFD an appropriate tool?

Step 2. Identify the Domain You Will Model
• How will you isolate a piece of
the complete physical system?

• Where will the computational domain

begin and end? Domain of Interest as
− Do you have boundary condition information at Part of a Larger
these boundaries? System (not modeled)
− Can the boundary condition types accommodate
that information?
− Can you extend the domain to a point where
reasonable data exists?

• Can it be simplified or approximated as Domain of interest

a 2D or axi-symmetric problem? isolated and meshed
for CFD simulation.
Introduction CFD Approach Pre-Processing Solution Post-Processing Summary
Step 3. Create a Solid Model of the Domain
• How will you obtain a model of the fluid region?
− Make use of existing CAD models?
− Extract the fluid region from a solid part?
− Create from scratch?
• Can you simplify the geometry?
− Remove unnecessary features that would complicate meshing Original CAD Part
;fillets, bolts…Ϳ?
− Make use of symmetry or periodicity?
• Are both the flow and boundary conditions symmetric /
periodic?
• Do you need to split the model so that boundary
conditions or domains can be created? Extracted
Fluid Region
Introduction CFD Approach Pre-Processing Solution Post-Processing Summary
Step 4. Design and Create the Mesh
• What degree of mesh resolution is required in each region of
the domain?
− Can you predict regions of high gradients?
• The mesh must resolve geometric features of interest and capture gradients
of concern, e.g. velocity, pressure, temperature gradients
− Will you use adaption to add resolution?
• What type of mesh is most appropriate?
− How complex is the geometry?
− Can you use a quad/hex mesh or is a tri/tet or hybrid mesh suitable?
− Are non-conformal interfaces needed?
• Do you have sufficient computer resources?
− How many cells/nodes are required?
− How many physical models will be used?
Introduction CFD Approach Pre-Processing Solution Post-Processing Summary
Design and create the grid
• Should you use a quad/hex grid, a tri/tet grid, a hybrid grid, or a non-
conformal grid?
• What degree of grid resolution is required in each region of the
domain?
• How many cells are required for the problem?
• Will you use adaption to add resolution?
• Do you have sufficient computer memory?

tetrahedron pyramid
triangle

arbitrary polyhedron
hexahedron prism or wedge
quadrilateral
Adaption example: final grid and solution

2D planar shell - final grid 2D planar shell - contours of pressure

final grid
Step 5. Set Up the Solver
• For a given problem, you will need to:
− Define material properties
• Fluid
• Solid
• Mixture
− Select appropriate physical models
• Turbulence, combustion, multiphase, etc.
For complex problems solving a simplified
− Prescribe operating conditions
or 2D problem will provide valuable
− Prescribe boundary conditions at all boundary zones experience with the models and solver
settings for your problem in a short
− Provide initial values or a previous solution amount of time
− Set up solver controls
− Set up convergence monitors
Introduction CFD Approach Pre-Processing Solution Post-Processing Summary
 Step 6. Compute the Solution
• The discretized conservation equations are solved
iteratively until convergence
• Convergence is reached when:
− Changes in solution variables from one iteration to the
next are negligible
• Residuals provide a mechanism to help
monitor this trend
− Overall property conservation is achieved
•Imbalances measure global conservation
− Quantities of interest (e.g. drag, pressure drop) have reached
steady values
•Monitor points track quantities of interest
• The accuracy of a converged solution is dependent
upon: A converged and mesh-independent
− Appropriateness and accuracy of physical models solution on a well-posed problem
− Assumptions made will provide useful engineering
− Mesh resolution and independence results!
− Numerical errors
Introduction CFD Approach Pre-Processing Solution Post-Processing Summary

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 Step 7. Examine the Results
• Examine the results to review solution and
extract useful data
− Visualization Tools can be used to answer such
questions as:
• What is the overall flow pattern?
• Is there separation?
• Where do shocks, shear layers, etc. form?
• Are key flow features being resolved?
− Numerical Reporting Tools can be used to calculate
quantitative results:
• Forces and Moments
• Average heat transfer coefficients Examine results to ensure correct physical behavior and
conservation of mass energy and other conserved
• Surface and Volume integrated quantities
quantities. High residuals may be caused by just a few
• Flux Balances poor quality cells.

Introduction CFD Approach Pre-Processing Solution Post-Processing Summary

 Step 8. Consider Revisions to the Model
• Are the physical models appropriate?
− Is the flow turbulent?
− Is the flow unsteady?
− Are there compressibility effects?
− Are there 3D effects?
• Are the boundary conditions correct?
− Is the computational domain large enough?
− Are boundary conditions appropriate?
− Are boundary values reasonable?
• Is the mesh adequate?
− Does the solution change significantly with a refined mesh, or
is the solution mesh independent?
− Does the mesh resolution of the geometry need to be High residuals may be caused by just
improved?
a few poor quality cells
− Does the model contain poor quality cells?
Introduction CFD Approach Pre-Processing Solution Post-Processing Summary
Summary and Conclusions
• Summary:
− All CFD simulations (in all mainstream CFD software products) are 1. Define Your Modeling
approached using the steps just described Goals
2. Identify the Domain You
− Remember to first think about what the aims of the simulation are Will Model
prior to creating the geometry and mesh
3. Create a Geometric
− Make sure the appropriate physical models are applied in the solver, Model of the Domain
and that the simulation is fully converged (more in a later lecture) 4. Design and Create the
− Scrutinize the results, you may need to rework some of the earlier Mesh
steps in light of the flow field obtained 5. Set Up the Solver Settings
6. Compute the Solution
7. Examine the Results
8. Consider Revisions to the
Model

Introduction CFD Approach Pre-Processing Solution Post-Processing Summary