VASAVI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING (Autonomous)

IBRAHIMBAGH, HYDERABAD – 500 031

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Computational Fluid Dynamics

(PE-II)
B.E VII Semester
Computational Fluid Dynamics

• The objectives of this course are to:

– equip the students with the necessary governing

equations to use computational techniques to
solve problems related to fluid flow and heat
transfer.
– provide the essential numerical background for
solving the partial differential equations governing
the fluid flow and heat transfer
 Course Outcomes
• After completing the course, the student will be able to:
– familiarize with the differential equations for fluid flow &
heat transfer and apply numerical methods for their
solution
– find solution of partial differential equations to estimate the
behaviour of the flow phenomena.
– develop flow simulation code for heat transfer and fluid
flow applications using FDM and FVM.
– make use of different iterative methods to solve algebraic
equations for Heat transfer and fluid flows
– apply suitable grid generation methods to decompose the
fluid /solid domain for obtaining the numerical solution
 Syllabus
UNIT – I
• Introduction to computational Fluid flows, CFF applications, comparison
amongst Numerical, Analytical and Experimental approaches.
• Review of the basic fluid dynamics: Continuity, Navier Stokes equations,
Reynolds and Favre averaged N– S equations. Heat transfer conduction
equation for steady and unsteady flows, steady convection– diffusion
equation.
Unit– II
• Classification of partial differential equations – Elliptic, parabolic and
hyperbolic equations. Practical examples of elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic
partial differential equations, Well posed problem; Initial and boundary
value problems.
• Turbulence - Introduction, Mixing length model, K– epsilon turbulence
model.

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 Syllabus
Unit– III
• Concepts of Finite difference methods– forward, backward and central
difference. Finite difference solution– 1-D steady state heat conduction without
and with constant source term; parabolic partial differential equations– Euler,
Implicit method, Crank Nicolson method.
• Errors, Consistency, Stability analysis, Convergence criteria
Unit– IV
• Solution of System of Linear Algebraic Equations: Tridiagonal matrix algorithm
(TDMA): Iteration methods: Jacobi and Gauss-Seidel.
• Viscous incompressible flow, stream function– Vorticity method.
• Introduction to grid generation– Types of grid –Structured and Unstructured
grids.
Unit– V
• Introduction to finite volume method: Finite volume formulations for diffusion
equation, 1-D steady state heat conduction without and with constant source
term;
• Convection diffusion equation: Central difference scheme, Upwind scheme,
Staggered grid, SIMPLE Algorithm.

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 Learning Resources
1. John D Anderson, “Computational Fluid Dynamics”, Mc Graw Hill Inc., New York, 2003.
2. Patankar S V, “Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow”, Hemisphere Publishing Company,
New York 1980.
3. H.K. Versteeg, W. Malalasekara, “An Introduction to computational Fluid Dynamics”, 2nd Ed.,
Pearson Education, 2007.
4. Chung T J, ”Computational Fluid Dynamics”, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2002

5. Muralidhar K, Sundararajan T, “Computational Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer”, Narosa

publication House, New Delhi, 2003

The break-up of CIE: Internal Tests + Assignments + Quizzes

1
No. of Internal Tests: 02 Max. Marks for each Internal Test:
30
2
No. of Assignments: 03 Max. Marks for each Assignment:
05
3
No. of Quizzes: 03 Max. Marks for each Quiz Test: 05
Duration of Internal Test: 90 Minutes
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 Introduction
to
Computational Fluid Dynamics

Mr. P. Venkateswara Rao

Associate Professor
 CFD Approach

Analytical approach

Experimental approach
 Experimental Investigation
• Full scale equipment is expensive and often
impossible
• Full scale equipment is more time consuming
• Small scale models do not always simulate all
features of the full scale equipment (like
combustion or boiling are omitted from the
model tests)
• Difficulty of measurement in many situations
• Measurements are not free from errors
 Experimental Investigation
• Difficulty in handling very low and very high
temperatures.
• Difficulty in handling toxic and flammable
substances.
• Difficulty in handling very fast and very slow
process.
• Calibration of the instruments is difficult.
 Mathematical modeling

• Simplified assumptions
• Solutions often contain infinite series, special
functions, transcendental equations for eigen
values
Advantages of Numerical methods

• Low cost
• Speed
• Complete information
• Ability to simulate realistic conditions
• Ability to simulate ideal conditions
CFD - An Analysis and Design Tool

• Analysis of an existing configuration for

a wide range of parameters resulting in

improved design
• Design of a new configuration
Computational Fluid Dynamics

 Computational Fluid Dynamics

(CFD) is the science of predicting
fluid flow, heat transfer, mass
Aero Mechanical transfer, chemical reactions, and
related phenomena by solving the
mathematical equations which
govern these processes using
numerical methods (i.e., on a
computer).

Chemical
Civil
COMPUTATIONAL SOLUTION PROCESS

Flow Solver
Geometry Surface Mesh Volume Grid Discretization of
Modeling Generation Generation Governing Equations
Using an Appropriate
Numerical Algorithm
Pre-Processor Grid-Generation
Code

Integrated Quantities Interpretation and Solution on a

of Interest Visualization of Data Computing Platform

Post-Processor
 What is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)?

Numerical Solution of Appropriate Governing Equations (for a

given physical problem) of Fluid Dynamics (including turbulence
models) for a given configuration (domain) using a computer.

It requires:
- Digitized description of the configuration or domain known as
“Geometry Modeling”

- Mesh generation on the surface of the geometry (object)

- Volume grid generation in the computational domain
- Discretization of governing equations on the volume mesh
 What is Computational Fluid Dynamics
(CFD)?
• Discretization of boundary conditions on the surface mesh

• Solution of the discretized equations (algebraic equations)

using appropriate numerical algorithms
•Implementation of solution methodology on a computing
platform (Workstation, parallel computer etc.)
•Interpretation and visualization of computed data (pressure,
velocity, temperature etc.) in the flow field

•Integrated values of computed data

 CFD Capabilities

Aeronautical Mechanical
Engineering Bio medical
Engineering Engineering

CFD

Chemical Electronic and

Engineering Electrical engineering

Automobile Engineering Metallurgy Engineering Civil Engineering

 Aeronautical Engineering
External aerodynamics
 External Aerodynamics future aircrafts

 Airfoil, wing, fuselage, airframe

etc.
 Internal Aerodynamics
 Nozzles, diffuser, engine, cabin,
etc.
 Lift and Drag calculations

 Aero acoustics
Combustor

 Stability and Control

 Virtual wind tunnel testing

Complex flow over helicopter

 Mechanical Engineering

 Compressors

 Heat Exchangers
 Boilers

 Pumps
Screw compressors Flow through Pump

 Flow through Valves

 Combustion
Temperature contour
optimized burner
 Automobile Engineering

 External Aerodynamics
Vortices behind car
 IC Engine Simulation
 Compressors

 Engine cooling systems

Surface grid of truck
 Exhaust systems
 HVAC
 Noise Prediction

IC Engine

HVAC
 Chemical Engineering

 Mixing
 Drying
 Emission control
 Multiphase flows
Distillation Column Particle suspension level at 300 rpm
 Heat and Mass Transfer

 Separating equipment

 Waste handling

 Spray design

Emission Analysis
Particle suspension level at 380 rpm
 Civil Engineering
 Wind engineering
 Building HVAC
 Vortex shedding effects on Bridges 

Water seepage under Dams

 Wave loading against Platforms

 Water supply and control

 Open channel Flows

Wave loading on Platforms

Office space HVAC installation

 CFD Field of Expertise

 Meshing for CFD Application

 Geometry generation and cleanup
 Multi Block Structured Grid Generation
 Tetrahedral, Hexahedral and Hybrid Meshing

 Computational Fluid Dynamics

 Internal as well as External Flow
 Steady as well as Transient flow
 Computational Aero Acoustics
 HVAC
 Electronic component Cooling
 Combustion Simulation
 Rotary Machinery
 Multi-physics analysis

 Customize product development

 User Defined Functions (UDF)
 Specific CFD tool development
 Customization of existing CFD products
 CFD Capabilities

External Aerodynamics of Flow through Pump IC engine simulation

Car (any vehicle) (Pipes/Valves etc)

CFD

Unsteady flow through Jet Electronic Cooling

(Transient Simulations)

HVAC in Data Centre Combustion in Fluidized Aero-Acoustics in Intake Manifold

(Car/Buildings etc) Bed (Furnas/Engines etc) (HVAC ducts, Mufflers etc)
 Windshield Deicing/Defrosting Analysis

10Min
5Min

Steady State Analysis

Contours of Liquid Fraction

20Min 15Min
 Conjugate Heat Transfer Capabilities

 Extensive study on various design parameters were

carried out to find the maximum heat transfer in a
constrained space Geometry

 Effect of inline and staggered tube configuration

 Effect of tube length
 Effect of tube spacing in the vertical and horizontal
direction
 Change in cooling fluid velocity
 Effect of anisotropic material

 Appropriate computational domain and boundary

conditions were specified with all the geometric details Computational Domain
into considerations

 Parameters like net heat transfer, pressure drop, heat

transfer per unit area, and heat transfer coefficient was
computed

Thermal Plots
 Rotary Simulation

• Blade design modifications to improve the efficiency

Geometry to
Blocking

Blade Design
Modification Blocking to
Meshing

Meshing to
Simulation
 Advantages Of CFD
 Low Cost
 Using physical experiments and tests to get essential engineering data for design
can be expensive.
 Computational simulations are relatively inexpensive, and costs are likely to
decrease as computers become more powerful.
 Speed
 CFD simulations can be executed in a short period of time.  Quick turnaround
means engineering data can be introduced early in the design process

 Ability to Simulate Real Conditions

 Many flow and heat transfer processes can not be (easily) tested - e.g. hypersonic
flow at Mach 20
 CFD provides the ability to theoretically simulate any physical condition
 Advantages Of CFD cont…
 Ability to Simulate Ideal Conditions
 CFD allows great control over the physical process, and provides the
ability to isolate specific phenomena for study.
 Example: a heat transfer process can be idealized with adiabatic,
constant heat flux, or constant temperature boundaries. 
Comprehensive Information
 Experiments only permit data to be extracted at a limited number of
locations in the system (e.g. pressure and temperature probes, heat flux
gauges, LDV, etc.)
 CFD allows the analyst to examine a large number of locations in the
region of interest, and yields a comprehensive set of flow parameters
for examination.
Limitations of CFD
 Limitations of CFD cont…
 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.
 Example: Flow in a duct with sudden expansion
 If flow is supplied to domain by a pipe, you should use a fully-developed profile for
velocity rather than assume uniform conditions.