Computational fluid dynamics or CFD is an important technique in today’s engineering

environment and it is a must have skill set for every engineer. CFD is the technique to solve
fluid dynamics and heat transfer problems.
We can divide CFD learning in many stages. First stage is to learn basics about CFD, which
includes some basics about the conversion of differential equations into discretized algebraic
equations. Also, we learn about solving them with the help of well known iterative or direct
solvers such as Gauss Seidel method etc. We also need to study about differential equations,
advance mathematical techniques, numerical methods, compressible and incompressible fluid
mechanics and advance heat transfer to fully understand CFD subject.
After that or may be simultaneously you can learn about the operation of commercial CFD
codes such as making or modifying CAD models for CFD, meshing, solution, post processing and
analyzing results. With commercial codes, you get advantage that you can solve Fluid dynamics
and heat transfer problems using CFD techniques without working on development on these
codes for years with unlimited man hours. Also, you will be able to solve large and complex
problems with little training and spending much using these commercial CFD softwares.
But the problem is that when you write your own CFD code, you know about every detail and
link between involved physics and mathematical techniques behind it. With commercial CFD
codes such as Fluent most of the time user feel difficulty in relating theory of problem and as
well as the choice of CFD algorithm to the problem at hand. This creates very awkward
situation. That you get the solution with these commercial CFD codes but you don’t have idea
about its correctness or accuracy based on problem physics or underlying CFD method.
For example, it is very common question that what is the best mesh size for the problem I am
solving, what should be first cell height, what is the best Y+ value, or which turbulence model is
best or I am not able to get required heat transfer in the domain. Although answering these
questions is not straight forward but we solve model problems based on different flow physics,
for example CFD analysis of shell and tube heat exchanger with all physics involved and the
logic behind the choice of CFD method or algorithm in CFD software and getting and validating
results against well know experimental data. In this way you will know exactly that what type of
CFD mesh or CFD solver settings are needed to reproduce physics of problem at hand. And this
knowledge can be applied on similar problem to get accurate results with little tweaking if
needed.
This is the whole idea of this course series. In this course you will get to know about the
detailed CFD analysis of different type of Fluid Dynamics and Heat transfer problems. Their
geometry parameters and their discussion, mesh requirements and meshing strategies
including number of nodes in domain and as well as in boundary layer and also the Y+ value and
appropriate turbulence model, solution procedure and selection of solution algorithm,
And to make course manageable I will try to keep number of workshops and number of hours
in manageable level. Therefore you may see several levels of this course with increasing scope
of course workshops in subsequent parts.