1. Fluent CFD Software: Overview

2. A Suite of CFD Solvers
Fluent provides a suite of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solvers:
FLUENT (4.5 & 5) NEKTON
FIDAP IcePak
POLYFLOW MixSim
All are software packages for modeling processes involving:
Fluid flow
Heat transfer
Mass transfer and chemical reactions
Related phenomena
They differ in the solver technology used and the industrial applications on which they are focused.

3. Why Multiple Solver Technologies?
Each CFD solution method performs best on a specific group of applications.
As a result, distinct solver algorithms are needed to optimize speed, robustness, and accuracy on different applications.
Fluent Inc. pursues multiple solver technologies in order to meet the diverse needs of our users.
Recently, we have also developed products with capabilities and user interfaces that are tightly focused on specific industries/applications (e.g., IcePak and MixSim).

4. FLUENT 4.5 and FLUENT 5 FLUENT 5:
FLUENT 5 integrates FLUENT/UNS and RAMPANT
Segregated-implicit, coupled-explicit/implicit FVM solver options
Complete mesh flexibility
Unstructured quad/hex, tri/tet, or hybrid meshes with solution-based mesh adaption
FLUENT 4.5:
Pressure-based, segregated, finite volume method
Structured quad/hex meshes
Contains some models which have not yet been ported to FLUENT 5
Eulerian-Eulerian multiphase flow model
Deforming mesh

5. FLUENT 5 Ideally suited for: Typical applications include:
Compressible and incompressible flows
Able to handle full range of Mach numbers in single solution domain
Flows involving complex geometries and complex physics
Typical applications include:
Automotive external aerodynamics  High-speed aerodynamics
Underhood flows  Compressible nozzle flow
Fans, Pumps, Burners, Furnaces  Turbomachinery
Reactor Vessels, Heat Exchangers  Internal rocket motor flows

6. FLUENT 5: Flow in a Cooling Jacket
Surface pressure distribution in an automotive engine cooling jacket

7. FLUENT 5: Axial Compressor Blade
Surface grid (one periodic repetition)
Contours of pressure

8. FLUENT 4.5 Ideally suited for: Typical applications include:
Incompressible and mildly compressible flows
Flows involving complex physics
Multiphase flows
Flows requiring deforming grids
Typical applications include:
Cyclones  Mixing tanks (MixSim interface)
Bubble columns  Fluidized beds
Unsteady piston/cylinder flows

9. FLUENT 4.5: Multiphase Flow in a Riser
Instantaneous solids concentration in a riser, which is a pneumatic solids conveying device. Porous media (simulating a perforated plate) at the top of the domain distributes the flow and produces uniform delivery of catalyst (solids) to the reactor.

10. FIDAP Fully coupled or segregated finite element method
Ideally suited for:
Incompressible and mildly compressible flows
Flows involving complex geometries and physics
Complete mesh flexibility:
Unstructured quad/hex, tri/tet, or hybrid meshes
Solver of choice for applications involving turbulence, “stiff” chemistry, free surfaces, phase change, and shear dependent viscosity
Typical applications include:
Biomedical flows
Semiconductor flows: CVD, crystal growth, electroplating
Metal casting, solidification, and extrusion
Extruders, complex die flows

11. FIDAP: Flow in a Blood Pump
Velocity vectors and pressure distribution inside a blood pump.

12. FIDAP: Crystal Growth
Flow pattern and melt interface during crystal growth using the Bridgman technique

13. POLYFLOW Fully-coupled and segregated finite element methods
Ideally suited for laminar, viscous flows involving:
Complex rheology (including viscoelasticity)
Free surfaces
Mesh flexibility:
Unstructured quad/hex, tri/tet, or hybrid meshes, wedge elements
Solver of choice for polymer processing and related applications such as:
Extrusion, coextrusion, die design
Blow molding, thermoforming
Film casting, glass sheet forming/stretching, fiber drawing
Chemical reactions, foaming
Viscoelastic flows (“memory effects”)

14. POLYFLOW: “Inverse” Die Design
Given desired part shape, POLYFLOW determines necessary die lip geometry.
desired part
die lip (calculated)
Requested part shape and calculated die lip shape for a rubber car door seal.
extrusion direction

15. POLYFLOW: Blow Molding
Uses 3D shell elements
Simulation of:
Parison extrusion
Pinch-off
Inflation
Cooling
Prediction of thickness distribution
Prediction of extrudate swelling due to:
Stress relaxation
Other elastic effects
Initial configuration
Blow molding simulation of a gas tank using the membrane element
Final thickness profile

16. NEKTON Variable-order finite element method (spectral element method)
Ideally suited for laminar, viscous flows with free surfaces
Unstructured quad/hex meshes with solution-based polynomial adaption (2D)
Linear stability analysis for coating applications
Solver of choice for thin film coating flows such as:
Slide, slot, roll, curtain, and blade coating
Multi-layer coatings
Deforming boundaries (rubber-backed rolls, compressible substrates)

17. NEKTON: Coating Flow Analysis
Template-based problem solving: base solution can be parameterized to quickly study changes in:
Properties, e.g.,
Density
Viscosity
Surface tension
Boundary conditions, e.g.,
Flow rates
Web speed
Vacuum
Geometry, e.g.,
Slide angle
Gap

18. NEKTON: Template Example
2. You can make changes in one panel:
1. Initial solution for slide coater
3. Web angle is automatically changed
significant savings in problem setup and solution time

19. IcePak
IcePak is focused on electronics cooling design:
Cooling airflow, heat conduction, convection and radiation heat transfer
The user interface and automatic meshing are tailored for applications such as:
Cabinet design
Fan placement
Board-level design
Heat sink evaluation
Flow pathlines and temperature distribution in a fan-cooled computer cabinet.

20. MixSim
MixSim is a specialized user interface that allows quick and easy set-up of mixing tank simulations.
The tank size, bottom shape, baffle configuration, number and type of impellers, etc. are specified directly.
The mesh and complete problem definition are then automatically created.
Other features include:
Impeller libraries from leading equipment manufacturers
Transient sliding mesh, steady-state multiple reference frame models
Non-Newtonian rheology

21. MixSim: User Interface

22. Overall Code Structure
Geometries and meshes can be imported from other CAE packages.
GAMBIT
TGrid
direct input
FLUENT 4.5, FLUENT 5, NEKTON
import
export
import
export
FIDAP
POLYFLOW
model file
results file
results file
data file
case file
data file
Data can be exported to other CAE packages for postprocessing.

23. Long-Term Product Road Map
FIDAP
POLYFLOW
NEKTON
FLUENT 4.5
FLUENT 5
GAMBIT
Common User Environment
2000+
“Shared FEM
Technology”
“Shared FVM
Technology”

24. Summary
As your applications for CFD expand, you can benefit from our multiple solver technology.
Our goal is to provide the appropriate (best) solver for each application.
Development of a common interface will allow you to more easily take advantage of different solvers.