Energy Applications

Simulation of a wave energy device hinged at a
fixed point, colored by velocity.
Courtesy XC Engineering.

Engineers in the energy sector around the world face complex design challenges every day in a wide range of processes for which solutions can be found through computational fluid dynamics. Many of these problems involve free-surface flows for which FLOW-3D is uniquely suited to provide accurate understanding and analysis. These problems include such areas as:

Fuel or cargo sloshing inside containers on the high seas
Wave effects on offshore platforms
Performance optimization for separation devices undergoing 6 DOF motion
Design of devices to capture energy from waves

An oil platform fastened to the seabed by 12 ropes simulated
using FLOW-3D's unique General Moving Objects model.FLOW-3D’s ability to accurately capture free-surface flow dynamics enables engineers to develop new and improved designs in a reasonable amount of time and at an attractive cost versus physical testing.

Come Visit Us at a Upcoming Tradeshow!

Please contact us to schedule a meeting to discuss your energy simulation needs.

OTC 2012

April 30 - May 3, 2012

Houston, TX

Booth # 6209

CFD-101 – Free Surface Modeling Methods

The presence of a free or moving boundary introduces serious complications for any type of flow analysis. For all but the simplest of problems, it is necessary to resort to numerical solutions. Even then, however, free surfaces require the introduction of special methods to define their location, their movement and their influence on a flow.

In the following discussion we briefly review the types of numerical approaches that have been used to model free surfaces, indicating the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Read more in CFD-101 >