The CFD simulation (CFD = "Computational Fluid Dynamics", German = "Numerische Strömungsmechanik") or flow simulation is used for the design and optimization of flow-carrying components and bodies immersed in flow. The CFD simulation computationally models flows and flow patterns and visualizes flow paths.
As a service provider for CFD simulation or flow simulation, M.TEC calculates different media with their respective viscosities such as air, water, oils, gels, and adhesives. The mixing of different media (e.g., a multi-component adhesive or an air/fuel mixture) can also be calculated using a CFD simulation.
The flow simulation or flow analysis shows where flow losses or pressure losses occur. If measurements are not possible or too time-consuming, CFD simulation is the right development tool for pressure loss optimization.
CFD Simulation/Flow Simulation – Applications
CFD Simulation for construction industry and plant engineering
Read more about CFD simulation for the construction industry and plant engineering.
Product Development / Technical Appliances
Product development in general
- Design and optimization of pumps
- Design/calculation/optimization of tanks (e.g., sloshing), storage tanks, and flow valves
- Design of impellers, air ducts
- Blower development
- Mixers
Automotive & Nautical
- Vehicle aerodynamics and body flow
- Engine cooling, battery cooling
- Water separators, oil separators
- Turbochargers
- Automobile air conditioning
- Flow around ship hulls
Household appliances
- Clothes dryers
- Vacuum cleaners, vacuum cleaner nozzles
Medical
- Ventilators, ventilation masks, respiratory masks
- Pen injectors/insulin pens
Reduce flow losses / pressure losses
What are the specific benefits of CFD flow simulation? Technical devices and vehicles that have gas, air or liquids flowing around or through them are ubiquitous nowadays: cars, vans and trucks as well as turbochargers, pumps, pipelines, vacuum cleaners or tumble dryers etc.. What all appliances have in common is that their energy consumption is directly dependent on flow losses.
A flow loss or pressure loss is caused by flow separation (recirculation) up to a complete stall. Flow separation is caused by, among other things
- sharp deflections
- unsteady cross-section expansions
- component elements located in the flow guide
This causes the jet to “burst open”. In addition to the loss of pressure, another negative consequence can be the generation of noise. A CFD simulation reveals these unfavourable flow patterns and makes it possible to optimize flow-guiding components in a targeted manner.
CFD simulation as a development tool
“Flow losses should be minimized early on in the development process using CFD simulation in order to design energy-efficient devices.”
Stefan Vogler
Team Manager Simulation, M.TEC ENGINEERING GmbH
Types of flows, flow processes
- Simulation of steady and unsteady flows
- Simulation of laminar and turbulent flows
- Multiphase flows
- Simulation of mixing processes / mixer simulation
- Heat simulation / convection, heat transfer / thermal processes
- Flow-induced noise
M.TEC's calculation department specializes in flow calculation using CFD simulation. With extensive knowledge of the underlying physical relationships in fluid mechanics, we quickly deliver simulation results together with the correct interpretation. M.TEC develops flow-optimized concepts and derives appropriate measures from the results of the flow simulation - to optimize your component or product.
Which simulation software does M.TEC use for CFD simulation?
M.TEC uses the latest version of Siemens Star CCM+ for CFD simulation and flow simulation. M.TEC carries out all calculations in-house on its own clusters.
For the Siemens Star CCM+ software, M.TEC has developed a direct connection to the in-house M.OPT engineering tools, so that all development aspects from fluid mechanics can be processed with the AI-based development tools of the M.OPT family.
What is the project process for a flow simulation and how long does it take?
The typical project sequence for a flow simulation or CFD simulation is as follows:
- Provision of CAD data
- Agreement on the boundary conditions
- Model design by M.TEC
- Execution of the flow simulations by M.TEC
- Preparation of the results documentation by M.TEC
- Joint discussion of the results
The duration of the project depends on the product or application and the task. For a comparatively simple model structure, the duration is approximately one week. Highly complex tasks, on the other hand, can take four to eight weeks or even longer.
What data does M.TEC need from the client in order to provide an offer?
For a quotation, M.TEC requires from you
- CAD data (typically as a STEP file, but other common formats can also be used)
- A description of the task or the development objectives
What do I get as a result - only simulation results or also advice?
If M.TEC carries out a cfd flow simulation on your behalf, you will receive a detailed documentation of the results from M.TEC:
- Detailed documentation of the results
- The interpretation of the results with regard to the task or objective
- Recommendations for action and suggestions for improvement based on M.TEC's more than 30 years of experience as a development and engineering service provider and simulation expert
- Personal discussion of the results in an online meeting
Can M.TEC help me to improve my product with the simulation results?
Yes, as a product developer with over 30 years of experience in fluid mechanics and other areas of development technology, M.TEC can support you at practically any point in the development of your product. Read more about development at M.TEC
For critical products or opposing goals: AI-based optimization with M.OPT
With the M.OPT development tools from M.TEC, complex critical parts and products where quality depends on many parameters can be optimized accurately and extensively. The M.OPT development tools also enable optimization in the case of conflicting requirements. Read more about the M.OPT development tools here