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Computational Fluid Dynamics or CFD is the analysis of systems involving fluid flow, heat transfer and associated phenomena such as chemical reactions by means of computer-based simulation. This is one of two main methods to predict fluid flow and the related processes. The other is experimental investigation that provides the most reliable information about a physical process through actual measurement. The experiments are usually performed on small-scale models rather than full-scale tests because to perform such full-scale tests, in most cases, are prohibitively expensive or often impossible. The resulting information obtained from small scale tests, then, must be extrapolated to full scale, and the general rules for scaling up are often unavailable. Moreover, the small scale models do not always simulate all the features of the full-scale equipment. This reduces the usefulness of the test results.
The use of CFD for research, development and design tasks in industry has risen dramatically in the past decade. This is triggered by the widespread availability of engineering workstations together with efficient solution algorithms and sophisticated pre- and post- processing facilities. The technique has been proven very powerful and spans a wide range of industrial and non-industrial application areas. Some examples are:
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aerodynamics of aircraft and vehicles |
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hydrodynamics of ships |
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power plant: combustion in internal combustion engine and gas turbines |
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turbomachinery: flows inside rotating passages, diffusers etc. |
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electrical and electronic engineering: cooling of equipment including microcircuits |
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chemical process engineering: mixing and separation, polymer moulding |
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external and internal environment of buildings: wind loading and heating/ventilation |
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marine engineering: loads on off-shore structures |
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environmental engineering: distribution of pollutants and effluents |
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hydrology and oceanography: flows in rivers, estuaries, oceans |
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meteorology: weather prediction |
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biomedical engineering: blood flows through arteries and veins, particle deposition in lungs |