What flow simulations are needed for can be illustrated very clearly using the example of a vehicle. In times when the highest possible energy efficiency is necessary, flow losses on a moving vehicle must be examined in detail. The known drag value provides information about the "loss" of drive energy when the vehicle moves through space. The moving vehicle must penetrate the surrounding air masses and push them to the side. The air masses merge again at the end of the vehicle, so that ideally no so-called turbulence occurs.
It is obvious that the occurring losses are dependent on several factors. Especially the shape and surface of the vehicle, speed and air density play a major role.
What factors play a role ?
The time and money required to test all relevant parameters in real tests (e.g. in the wind tunnel) often exceeds all budgets and production periods. Particularly with today's large number of vehicle variants, a computer-aided option is needed to reproduce or simulate these tests by means of simulations. Long before prototypes are built, developers are therefore already creating initial flow models of the proposed variant.
The preparation of the models, the execution of the flow simulation and the evaluation of the results require a high degree of know-how. Furthermore, the computational effort for this type of simulation is correspondingly high. As an experienced engineering office with the necessary expertise, we are happy to carry out such projects for you. Especially when the movements of the components accelerate and change from laminar to turbulent flows, we use extensive three-dimensional CFD simulations for this purpose. This is one of the most extensive areas of expertise in mechanical and plant engineering. In addition, flow simulations are frequently used in the construction industry, for example in indoor climate assessment, but weather and climate models are also based on the fundamentals of numerical flow simulation.
The question "What are flow simulations needed for ?" or "What are CFD simulations needed for ?" is therefore answered in the time and cost savings through the replacement of costly prototype construction, the subsequent real tests in test laboratories, the included logistical effort through highly modern, qualified simulations.
What else do you need flow simulations for ?
Today's variety of models and the short development times of the products no longer allow real tests of all products. Furthermore, real tests are often only useful and feasible on small components. Therefore, for large basins and vessels, the developers often only have the option of flow simulation. In the meantime, the quality of the simulations has reached a level that, for the certification of new components, they are largely used in the development of new products will suffice as evidence.
While the flow conditions at each coordinate point of the flow space can be evaluated in the simulation, the measurements at certain points must be planned in elaborate experiments and carried out by providing appropriate measuring equipment. This is often hardly possible, e.g. in chemical plants or in the case of moving parts in the flow space, simply because of the potential danger.
The consistent application and repeated execution of these simulations up to the optimal virtual prototype leads to the fact that only isolated variant models have to be validated by real tests.
On these pages you will also learn, how you can accelerate and optimize your product development process with the help of flow simulations.
Are you curious ?
Inform yourself about our complete range of services and contact us !
Project examples
- Indoor climate assessment through CFD simulation
- CFD simulation for electronics cooling
- CFD calculation on labyrinth seals
English (UK) 
Deutsch 
Español 