Gas and liquid flow behavior is quantified by partial differential equations representing conservation laws for mass, momentum, and energy. Computational fluid dynamics is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical analysis and algorithms to solve fluid flows situations. High-performing computers are used to conduct the calculations required to simulate the interaction of liquids and gases with surfaces defined by boundary conditions.
CFD is based on the Navier-Stokes equations. Arising from applying Newton’s second law to fluid motion, together with the assumption that the stress in the fluid is the sum of a diffusing viscous term and a pressure term, these equations describe how the velocity, pressure, temperature, and density of a moving fluid are correlated.
With a CFD analysis, we can understand the flow and heat transfer throughout a design process. The basic methodology for any engineering CFD analysis is based on a few procedures.
In this phase the problem statement is transformed into an idealized and discretized computer model. Assumptions are made concerning the type of flow to be modelled (viscous/inviscid, compressible/incompressible, steady/non steady). Other processes involved are mesh generation and application of initial- and boundary conditions.
The actual computations are performed by the solver, and in this solving phase computational power is required. There are multiple solvers available, varying in efficiency and capability of solving certain physical phenomena.
Finally, the obtained results are visualized and analyzed in the post processing phase. At this stage the analyst can verify the results and conclusions can be drawn based on the obtained results. Ways of presenting the obtained results are for example static or moving pictures, graphs or tables.