FlowVision 3.14: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulation Software

FlowVision 3.14 is a specific version of a powerful and versatile Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software package developed by the Russian company “FlowVision.” It is designed for simulating a wide range of physical processes involving fluids, gases, heat transfer, and chemical reactions.

Core Purpose & Value Proposition

FlowVision enables engineers and researchers to model complex fluid flow and related phenomena virtually. Its value lies in:

  • Reducing Physical Prototyping: Allowing for the analysis and optimization of designs without the need for costly and time-consuming physical tests.

  • Gaining Deep Physical Insight: Providing a detailed view of flow fields (velocity, pressure, temperature) that is often impossible to obtain experimentally.

  • Solving Multi-Physics Problems: Capable of handling coupled phenomena like fluid-structure interaction, aeroacoustics, and combustion.

Key Features & Capabilities

1. Robust CFD Solver

  • Finite Volume Method: Uses this standard, robust numerical method to solve the governing Navier-Stokes equations.

  • Wide Range of Physical Models:

    • Turbulence Models: RANS (k-ε, k-ω, SST), DES, and LES for accurate modeling of turbulent flows.

    • Multiphase Flows: Volume of Fluid (VOF) method for simulating free surface flows, cavitation, and mixing of immiscible fluids.

    • Heat Transfer: Conduction, convection, and radiation.

    • Chemical Reactions: Combustion, species transport.

    • Moving Bodies & Rotating Machinery: Models with sliding meshes and morphing grids to handle fans, impellers, and other moving parts.

2. Advanced Geometry and Mesh Handling

  • Automatic Grid Generation: A key strength is its robust Cartesian-based grid generator. It can automatically create a computational mesh from imported CAD geometry, significantly reducing pre-processing time.

  • Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR): The grid can dynamically refine itself in areas of high gradient (e.g., near walls, in shock waves, at phase interfaces), ensuring accuracy where it matters most without requiring a globally fine mesh.

  • “Fictitious Domain” Approach: Effectively handles complex moving geometries within the Cartesian grid.

3. User-Friendly Pre- and Post-Processing

  • Integrated Environment: Provides a single graphical user interface (GUI) for geometry import, setup, solving, and post-processing, reducing the need to switch between different programs.

  • Powerful Visualization: Advanced tools for creating contours, vector plots, streamlines, iso-surfaces, and animations to analyze and present results effectively.

  • Quantitative Analysis: Tools for calculating integral forces (lift, drag), moments, and monitoring values at specific points.

4. Application-Specific Capabilities
FlowVision is applied across numerous industries, including:

  • Aerospace: External aerodynamics, aircraft/rocket design.

  • Automotive: Vehicle aerodynamics, engine bay thermal management, HVAC systems.

  • Process Industry: Mixing in reactors, flow in pipelines and valves.

  • Marine Engineering: Ship hydrodynamics, propeller performance.