The Ohio State University

Abstract

The equations of Fluid Mechanics are a set of coupled non-linear partial differential equations known as the Navier-Stokes equations, which defy treatment by analytical methods except for a few relatively simple situations. CFD is a branch of Fluid Mechanics which deals with the solution of these equations on digital computers. Unfortunately, at moderate or high Reynolds numbers direct solutions are not possible even on the fastest digital computers which exist today. Therefore CFD solves ‘averaged' equations (RANS) and which are ‘closed' by employing ‘physical models' or ‘hypothesis', such as turbulence models (Boussinesq hypothesis, two equation k-epsilon models, Reynolds stress models, sub-grid scale models in Large Eddy Simulation), and as the case maybe, models for turbulent combustion (prescribed pdf, Monte Carlo based pdf transport models) and numerous others for a variety of physical processes such as heat, mass and momentum transfer between phases in multi-phase flow, radiation heat transfer, surface chemistry and so on. Because of this, CFD is often not entirely adequate on its own to provide all the answers and works best when employed hand in hand with laboratory experiments and field data to arrive at a successful engineering design and development solutions.

This paper gives a brief historical overview of the development of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), examines the reasons behind the current ‘success' of commercial CFD packages and discusses the present issues concerning the everyday use of CFD in Industry. An attempt is made at providing some perspectives for its future deployment.

Biographical Sketch

Hasan Ferit Boysan has been the Vice President and General Manager, Fluids Business Unit of Ansys Inc. since May 2006. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Boysan was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Fluent Inc. He became Fluent's Chief Operating Officer in 1997 and its President in 1999, after having been Managing Director of Fluent's European Operations since 1991. Dr. Boysan was one of the original developers of Fluent's CFD software at Sheffield University in the UK in the early 1980s when he was a postdoctoral research fellow. Dr. Boysan has degrees from the Technical University of Istanbul, Turkey and the University of Sheffield, UK

Hosted by Professor Tunc Aldemir, 292-4627, aldemir.1@osu.edu For information on ME 888 seminars contact Professor Walter Lempert at 292-2736 or lempert.1@osu.edu.