Frequently Asked Questions

What is CFD?

CFD stands for Computational Fluid Dynamics and is a group of complex mathematical models describing how fluids behave.

How Long Does it Take?

This depends on the problem, scope and modelling complexity.

To set up and run the simulation depends on how complex the model and can take an hour for simple steady-state problems and up to a week for a large very complex transient simulation.

Based on past experience, for a single item of equipment, the whole process from start to finish takes around 1 to 2 weeks.

What is involved?

A typical project outline covers the following items.

  • Decide on the specific objectives.
  • Establish the most appropriate models for the simulation.
  • Determine the required extents of the model.
  • Develop the geometry.
  • Determine the boundary conditions.
  • Run the simulation and validate results.
  • Investigate areas of interest.
  • Develop design ideas based on the knowledge gained.
  • Run additional cases as required.

How does it Work?

The outline geometry of the equipment is first defined.
This volume is then split into a series of small volumes or cells.
Each cell will contain the properties of the fluid at that point, such as the pressure, velocity and amount of turbulence.
Equations are solved across the whole model, which calculate how the fluid behaves from one cell to the next.