FLOW-3D 2025R1 is a general-purpose computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software developed by Flow Science, Inc., designed for simulating complex fluid flow, heat transfer, and fluid-structure interactions across various industries. It serves as the foundation for specialized modules like FLOW-3D WELD and FLOW-3D CAST, offering advanced capabilities for modeling free-surface flows, multiphase flows, and other complex physical phenomena. Below is a detailed overview of FLOW-3D 2025R1 based on available information:
Key Features
- Unified User Interface (GUI):
- Features a modernized, intuitive GUI to streamline model setup, simulation, and post-processing for users of all experience levels.
- Includes automated workflows and pre-configured templates for common applications, reducing setup time.
- Advanced Physics Modeling:
- TruVOF (Volume of Fluid): Enhanced for precise tracking of free surfaces and interfaces in multiphase flows.
- Models complex phenomena such as turbulence (using k-ε, RNG, or LES models), heat transfer, phase changes, cavitation, and surface tension.
- Supports fluid-structure interactions, including moving objects and deformable meshes.
- Meshing and Solver Enhancements:
- Utilizes structured Cartesian meshes with the FAVOR™ (Fractional Area/Volume Obstacle Representation) method for accurate geometry representation without complex meshing.
- Improved solver performance with GPU acceleration and parallel processing for faster simulations.
- Supports adaptive mesh refinement for optimizing computational efficiency.
- Multiphase and Multiphysics Capabilities:
- Simulates gas-liquid interactions, particle dynamics, and thermal effects with high accuracy.
- Includes models for granular flows, sediment transport, and chemical reactions.
- Visualization and Post-Processing:
- Advanced tools for visualizing 3D flow fields, velocity vectors, pressure distributions, and particle trajectories.
- Exports data in multiple formats for integration with other analysis tools or reporting.
- Material Database:
- Comprehensive library of fluid and material properties, with options to define custom materials for specific applications.
- Supports temperature-dependent properties and non-Newtonian fluids.
- Cloud and HPC Integration:
- Compatible with cloud computing platforms for scalable simulations (e.g., AWS, Azure).
- Optimized for high-performance computing (HPC) environments with multi-core CPUs and Nvidia GPUs (e.g., Tesla A100 or V100 recommended).
- Interoperability:
- Imports CAD geometries from formats like STL, STEP, and IGES.
- Integrates with other Flow Science products (e.g., FLOW-3D WELD, FLOW-3D CAST) and third-party tools for extended workflows.
Applications
FLOW-3D 2025R1 is used across industries, including:
- Hydraulics and Water Resources: Modeling dam breaks, spillways, and river flows.
- Aerospace and Automotive: Simulating fuel sloshing, aerodynamics, and cooling systems.
- Manufacturing: Analyzing casting, additive manufacturing, and coating processes.
- Environmental Engineering: Studying sediment transport, pollutant dispersion, and coastal erosion.
- Energy: Optimizing hydropower, wave energy, and thermal management systems.
