We developed a fluid dynamic ‘solver’ (a piece of mathematical software), based on the lattice Boltzmann method, capable of simulating macroscopic engineering problems such as flows through pipes, street canyons and generic external aerodynamic shapes.
Key Facts
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The ‘solver’ is some 100 times faster than conventional simulation tools.
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It provides a simple treatment of complex physics and it also can be extended for microfluidic applications.
Impact of our research
We developed a fluid dynamic ‘solver’ (a piece of mathematical software) capable of simulating macroscopic engineering problems which can be used for internal and external flow applications. This was based on the lattice Boltzmann method, a technique for the computational modelling of a wide variety of complex fluid flow problems including single and multiphase flow in complex geometries.
The ‘solver’ development involved several generations of MSc students who contributed to extending the existing solver. It has led to several publications and interest from other universities in potential collaboration.
Why the research was commissioned
There is a gap between the macroscopic and microscopic fluid mechanics world in which this method (implemented in the ‘solver’) is situated. It is not only capable of producing reliable results on the so-called mesoscale, but also on the macroscale while being much faster than conventional simulation methods. This ‘solver’ was developed to fill the gap in the portfolio of in-house codes available here at Cranfield and is still used for research.
Why Cranfield?
We were able to provide the knowledge from the microscopic and macroscopic side with the developed ‘solver’ which offers new research possibilities to the mesoscale regime.
