Computational Fluid Dynamics

and Heat Transfer

Department of Mechanical Engineering

CoEP, Pune
Computational Fluid Dynamics

Why ?

Time - Early in the twenty first century

The Place - A major Airport anywhere in the world

The Event - A sleek and good looking aircraft roles

down the runway, takes off, and rapidly climbs out of sight.
 CFD?

 CFD constitutes a new “Third Approach” in the

philosophy study and development of the whole

discipline of fluid dynamics.

 If you were learning fluid as recently as, say 1960, you

would have been operating in “Two Approach World”

of Theory and experiments.

 CFD?
 CFD- a new “Third Approach” in the philosophy study
and development of the whole discipline of fluid
dynamics.

Pure Pure
Theory Experiments

Three Dimensions of CFD

CFD
 CFD?
 However, the invention of high speed digital computer
combined with the development of accurate numerical
algorithms for solving physical problems on these
computers, has revolutionized the way we study and
practice fluid dynamics today.
 It has introduced a fundamentally important new third
approach in fluid dynamics – the approach of CFD
 CFD today an equal partner with Pure theory and pure
experiment in the analysis and solution fluid dynamics
problems.
 Methods of Investigation
• Theoretical Investigation
• Experimental Investigation

A theory is something nobody believes except the

person proposing the theory and an experiment is

something everybody believes except the person doing

the experiment.

- Albert Einstein
 CFD?
 CFD will continue to play a vital role in our

advancement in human civilization.

 CFD provides new third approach – but will never

replace either pure theory or pure experiments.

 It will always be a need for theory and experiments.

 In the future, better interpretation to understand the

results of theory and experiments, and vice versa will

be facilitates through CFD.

 CFD?
 The Three different disciplines combined for CFD
 Where is CFD used?

• Where is CFD used? Aerospace

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Biomedical Biomedical
• Chemical Processing
• HVAC F18 Store Separation

• Hydraulics
• Marine
• Oil & Gas
• Power Generation
• Sports

Automotive Temperature and natural

convection currents in the eye
following laser heating.

9
 Where is CFD used?
Chemical Processing
• Where is CFD used?
• Aerospacee
• Automotive
• Biomedical
• Chemical
Processing Polymerization reactor vessel - prediction
of flow separation and residence time
• HVAC effects.
Hydraulics
• Hydraulics
• Marine
• Oil & Gas
• Power Generation
• Sports

HVAC
Streamlines for workstation
ventilation
10
 Where is CFD used?
Marine (movie) Sports

• Where is CFD used?

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Biomedical
• Chemical Processing
• HVAC
• Hydraulics
• Marine
• Oil & Gas
• Power Generation
• Sports

Oil & Gas Power Generation

Flow of lubricating Flow around cooling

mud over drill bit 11
towers
 Where is CFD used?
Where is CFD used?

• As a research Tool

• As a Design Tool

• Automobile and Engine Applications

• Industrial Manufacturing Applications

• Civil Engineering Application

• Environmental Engineering Applications

12
• Naval Architecture Applications
 CFD – What it is ?
• The physical aspects of any kind of flow are governed by three

fundamentals principles:

(1) Mass conserved

(2) Newton’s Second law (F= m.a)

(3) Energy is conserved

• These physical principles can be expressed as basic mathematical

equations, which in their most general form are either integral
equations, or partial differential equations.
 CFD – What it is ?
• CFD is an art of replacing the integral or partial derivatives with

discretized algebraic form.

• These algebraic equations are solved to obtain numbers for the flow

field values at discrete points in time or space.

• The end product of CFD is indeed a collection of numbers, in contact

to a closed form analytical solution.

• The objectives of most engineering analysis is a quantitative

description of the problem i.e. numbers.

• Modern high speed computers able to do repetitive manipulation of

many thousands , even millions of numbers.

 How does CFD work?
• CFD codes are numerical algorithms that can tackle fluid flow and
heat transfer
• 3 Main Elements
A. Pre-processor – input of the flow problem
 Geometry, computational domain, grid generation, definition of
fluid properties, boundary conditions

B. Solver
 Approximation of the unknown variables, discretization by
substitution of approximations into governing flow equations,
solution of the algebraic equations
 Large amount of data is obtained as a part of this step
 How does CFD work?
• CFD codes are numerical algorithms that can tackle fluid flow and
heat transfer
• 3 Main Elements
C. Post processor
 The most important step to analyze the data

 Graphical representation for understanding the flow or heat

transfer process
 Tecplot – is the popularly used tool
 Numerical Study – Turbulent Flow

Computational domain with Vortex Generators, Mesh Elements in three planes

(Steam Power Lab, IIT Bombay)
 Numerical Study – Turbulent Flow

Circumferential Averaged Local Nu(z)/Nus Vs. Length to Tube Dia. Ratio (z/d) for
Insert of p/pl 12.8, α 30° i.e. e/d 0.17, Ʌ 3.8
 The local heat transfer values predicted numerically are higher in
comparison with the experimentally reported values.
 However, both studies show very similar profiles for local heat transfer
coefficients.
 Numerical Study – Turbulent Flow
Vz = 14.8 m/s

V(x , y)

y m/s
VG
x

Velocity vectors in x-y planes at different stream wise locations

• The cross flow velocities (along x, and y directions) increase significantly
from leading to the trailing edge, which provides better fluid mixing.
• The vortices that are formed at the trailing edge of the vortex generator
causes good interaction between the fluid with the heated surface.
 Numerical Study – Turbulent Flow

Velocity vectors y–z plane at x/d = 0

• This results in the peak value of local heat transfer coefficients at the
trailing edge of the vortex generator.
• There was decay in the swirl flow along the stream wise direction after
the trailing edge, causes gradual decrease in local heat transfer values.
 Numerical Study – Turbulent Flow

x
Variation of non-dimensional x velocity (Vx/Vmi) at stream wise different tube sections.

• The cross stream velocity, Vx is relatively high at the middle and

trailing edge of the vortex generator, reaching a highest value 0.35
times the mean inlet velocity.
• The cross flow velocities are relatively weak at the leading edge, and in
the region downstream of the vortex generator.
 Important issues in numerical simulations

• Note that the underlying physics is complex :– clear

understanding of the physical phenomenon is essential
• 2D or 3D decisions
• Variation of fluid properties with temperature and pressure
• Turbulence to consider or neglect
• Convergence – approach the exact solution
• Consistency – approaches the exact solution for zero grid
spacing
• Stability – damping of errors as the numerical method proceeds
 Types of fluid flow
• External flow (unconfined) – free stream flow across
a cylinder
• Internal flow (confined) – flow in a channel or pipe
• Flow across cylinder in a channel
 External flow
Free stream flow and heat transfer across a
cylinder
Free stream flow across a cylinder – streamlines
Internal flow in a channel
 Modes of Heat Transfer

• Conduction: Energy transfer due to random molecular

motion (diffusion)
• Convection: In addition to energy transfer by diffusion,
energy is also transferred by the bulk, or macroscopic,
motion of the fluid.
• Radiation: Energy emitted by matter that is at a finite
temperature.
Convective Heat Transfer
 CFD versus Experimental investigations

• Substantial reduction of lead time and cost of

new design

• Ability to study the systems where controlled

experiments are not possible

• Practically unlimited level of details of study

 Theoretical Methods of Investigation

• Analytical Solution: Possible for certain simple situation

only but not for a general fluid flow and heat transfer
situations.

• Numerical Solution: Provides approximate solution for any

fluid flow and heat transfer situations.
– Governing Equations, Initial and Boundary Conditions
– Grid Generation : Discretization of the continuous
domain to certain grid points in the domain.
– Discretization : Converts the differential equation to
set of linear algebraic equations
– Solution Methodology : Solves the set of equations by
an iterative method using an algorithm
 Numerical Method: Introduction

• Types

Direct Methods : Solved exactly by an algorithm such as

Gaussian elimination method for solving systems of linear
algebraic equations.
Iterative Methods : Start from a guess and finds successive
approximations that hopefully converge to the solution.
• Discretization : Continuous problem is converted into
discrete problem to obtain approximate solution.
 Prerequisites

Engineering Mathematics

Heat transfer

Fluid Mechanics

Programming Course
 Course Contents
Unit 1: Introduction to CFD
Computational approach to Fluid Dynamics and its
comparison with experimental and analytical methods,
Basics of PDE: Elliptic, Parabolic and Hyperbolic
Equations.
Unit 2: Governing Equations
Review of Navier-Stokes Equation and simplified forms,
Solution Methodology: FDM and FVM with special
emphasis on FVM, Stability, Convergence and Accuracy.
 Course Contents
Unit 3: Finite Volume Method
Domain discretization, types of mesh and quality of mesh,
SIMPLE, pressure velocity coupling, Checkerboard
pressure field and staggered grid approach
Unit 4: Geometry Modeling and Grid Generation
Practical aspects of computational modeling of flow
domains, Grid Generation, Types of mesh and selection
criteria, Mesh quality, Key parameters and their importance.
 Course Contents
Unit 5: Methodology of CFDHT
Objectives and importance of CFDHT, CFDHT for
Diffusion Equation, Convection Equation and Convection-
Diffusion Equation
Unit 6: Solution of N-S Equations for Incompressible
Flows
Semi-Explicit and Semi-Implicit Algorithms for Staggered
Grid system and Non-staggered Grid System of N-S
Equations for Incompressible Flows
 Expected Outcome

Students will be able to :

• Develop an understanding for the major theories, approaches and

methodologies used in CFD;

• Build up the skills in the actual implementation of CFD methods
(e.g. boundary conditions, methodology etc.) by using
programming language
• Gain experience in the application of CFD analysis to real
engineering designs.
 Assessment Scheme

• 20% Test 1
• 20% Test 2
• 60% for end semester examination.
 Texts and References
 Text Books:
H.K. Versteeg, W.Malalasekera , An Introduction to Computational Fluid Flow
(Finite Volume Method), 2nd Edition, Printice Hall 2009.

Murlidhar and Sundarrajan ,Computational Fluid Flow & Heat Transfer by, Narosa
Publication, Reprint, 2017.

Atul Sharma, Introduction to Computational Fluid dynamics: Development,

Application and Analysis, Wiley Publications, 2016.

 Reference Books:
John A. Anderson, Computational Fluid Dynamics, The Basic with applications.,
McGraw Hill International editions, Mechanical Engineering series,2017.

Dr. Suhas Patankar, Numerical Heat Transfer Fluid Flow , CRC Press, 1980 .
Ferziger and Peric, Computational Methods for Fluid Dynamics by, Springer
Publication, 3rd Edition, 2002.

Sedat Biringen, Chuen-Yen Chow, An Introduction to Computational Fluid

Mechanics by Example, Wiley Publication, 2nd Edition, 2011.