Jhonny Snayder Tenorio Lpez

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTATIONAL FLUID

DYNAMICS
The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a calculation tool to simulate a problem of
fluid flow using a computer, which we can get much information from the fluid as its
properties and details on what happens in the field of flow fluid. The tool is based on the
resolution of the differential equations that govern the fluid flow problem, which is
necessary to enter some data the program to determine the equations that this should be
done.

It should be mentioned that the conditions are applied in the fluent program may for other
programs there are some variations in the names and the variables considered in the
boundary conditions or other sections of the same program used to apply fluid dynamics
computational however the theoretical concept of how CFD works is the same for any
type of program you are using.

Initially you must enter a domain to the program, as well as a mesh, this will take care of
dividing the domain in many particles which depending on the dimension being treated
the problem will be particles of area for 2D problems and particles volume for 3D
problems, two types of meshes or grids: structured consisting of flat particles of four
edges generally used for 2D cases and volumetric consisting of particles with six faces,
and there are also unstructured meshes that unlike the structured mesh can not be
identified this one specific form for the particle however the program identifies the
amount of particles having mesh. These meshes are used according to the type of
geometry that has the problem, usually structured meshes are used for simple geometries,
while non-structured meshes are used for complex geometries, however, not always
unstructured meshes will be the best option for complex geometries so the user must
choose the best according to the shape of the computational domain assigned to the
problem.

Also for some cases may be used hybrid mesh consisting of the union of two or more
meshes structured and unstructured in order to obtain a better resolution somewhere
geometry is more important for studying user, while in another section not. Should be
noted that the unstructured grids generate more particles than structured meshes for the
same geometry. In some cases it is necessary to devote more time to mesh design because
good design ensures more reliable results, a mesh of poor quality could lead to errors even
an incorrect solution.

While the mesh is of better quality, the program will deliver a result of more quality this
is due to the problems of fluid flow are governed by the continuity equation and the
Navier-stokes, and the result delivered by the program based on the sum of solving

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iteratively the equations in the center of each particle defined by the mesh, you can say
that the result is more accurate when such amount defined as the residue is a value as
close to zero.

CFD currently uses an automated system for mesh generation, this is based on estimates
of error. However it is necessary that you understand the impact of the mesh on solution.

Another important aspect is to establish the boundary conditions in order to obtain a

solution more accurate, the computational fluid dynamics provides various types of
boundary conditions available of which the most important is the boundary condition of
wall, which is the boundary condition simpler this is because the liquid can not pass
through the wall and speed in these is zero due to the non-slip condition, whether to
specify the temperature or the heat flow from the wall but not be specify both; in case of
being worked with turbulent flows it is necessary to specify some parameters such as
roughness and also for situations where desired in which there is zero shear and other
options.

Other important boundary conditions are input and output for this case there are several
options as the fluid can enter or exit the computational domain of the problem, including
CFD allows you to modify the conditions as velocity or pressure, temperature and others.
You can not specify a conditions of pressure and speed problem, this would lead to a
mathematical problem and could lead to an error at which the program provides the
solution, as both conditions are present in the equations of motion that govern fluid flow.

There are also other types of boundary conditions as the condition of periodic boundary,
boundary condition symmetry and boundary condition axis. These can be used for
different cases such as for the condition of periodic boundary which is useful when the
geometry of the problem involves repetition and always occur in pairs, while the
boundary conditions axis are used to problems axial geometry this allows solve the
problem of fluid flow in two dimensions.

The computational fluid dynamics also contains conditions for internal contours these are
applied to faces or edges that are not defined by one boundary of the computational
domain of the problem, usually these conditions are used when divided into two separate
zones allowing communication between the two zones.

In order to get a good result is also necessary to properly enter the properties of the fluid
which is developing the problem. The computational fluid dynamics also allows the user
from the solution generating profiles of properties of the fluid to flow along the field as
well as information of such properties at specific points this allows the user to analyze so
detailed behavior of fluid properties along the field of fluid flow, which for engineering
problems is very useful as it provides information on the behavior of the problem without
performing an experimental test is generally more expensive and difficult performing.

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In the updated versions programs of computational fluid dynamics have a database of
different fluids with properties, this facilitates the user work and the accuracy of the
results. They also have default values for the boundary conditions which generally work
for most users problems values.

It is very important that the CFD user possesses basic knowledge of fluid mechanics so
you can discern whether the result obtained by the program and profiles of the properties
has a physical sense or real explanation. If the problem presents other conditions such as
heat transfer or energy conversion equations for each type of condition are resolved by
the program in the same way that resolved to the continuity equation and Navier-stokes.
The computational fluid dynamics models also allows for turbulent flows with mass
transfer conditions and many types of models, so it is very useful for predicting and
modeling different cases of tool engineering problems.

The best way to learn from computational fluid dynamics is practicing through simple
examples before tackling a more complicated problem. It is also necessary to analyze,
purchase and verify the results obtained by the program. From the simplest problems are
those with laminar flows since they are easier to perform the operation and easy to
understand.

CFD does a very good job for laminar fluid flow, it is only necessary to design a good
mesh and ensure that the boundary conditions are well specified. This is partly because
the programs usually come with default to work with laminar fluid parameters.

Significantly for this type of simple problems laminar fluid flow are generally considered
to incompressible flows and two-dimensional or revolution.

The use of computational fluid dynamics has many advantages including predicts fluid
properties in great detail throughout the domain studied or raised by the problem, in
engineering problems help to designing and prototyping by providing quick solutions
avoiding high costs for conducting experiments and analysis level provides visualization
and animation of process fluid flow in terms of fluid variables.

The problems of using computational fluid dynamics to very complicated problems is that
it requires extensive knowledge of fluid dynamics and experience specializing in software
training, you can consume many resources software and hardware for some cases can
mean very high costs.

The computational fluid dynamics is a tool used in a lot of fields of engineering, among
which are: aerodynamics for aircraft and cars, hydrodynamics, turbo machines, hydraulic,
heat transfer, etc. Even serving to simulate situations that would be difficult to develop
experimentally.