Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Research at Widener

Kamran Fouladi, Ph.D., P.E.

Mechanical Engineering Dept.
kfouladi@widener.edu
Kirkbride 344
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
CFD is simulation of flows using
computers and algorithms
NASA’s Supersonic Transport

NASA's Orion Spacecraft NASA’s Space Plane

Fluid Dynamics is Study of fluids (gases and liquids) in motion

CFD
CFD provides ability to visualize and understand complicated flow
phenomena in complex flow problems

Fouladi, K., Czupryna, J. (2018). “CFD-Based Optimization of Micro Vortex Diodes,” Journal of Applied Fluid
Mechanics, 11 (5), pp.1231-1237.
How Does CFD Work?
Physical Model CAD Model 1

Divide flow volume into

smaller control volumes 2 Extract results 4

3
Software solves
flow equation on
CVs iteratively
CFD Examples - Aerospace
CFD has been an invaluable tool in aerospace for long time

7 77
in g
Bo e
CFD Examples - Auto
CFD has long been used tor improve automobile
aerodynamics performance

CFD helped Dodge to return to CFD helped BMW Sauber to

NASCAR racing double its points
CFD Example - Auto
CFD Examples - Biomedical
• Heart pumping
• Blood flow
• Air flow in lungs
• Joint lubrication
• Artificial organ design • Nose and sinus flows
• Vocal tract analysis • Spinal fluid flow
• Microbe locomotion • Cardiac valve design
• Life support systems • Cell-fluid interface

Virtual Prototyping System for Blood Pump Design

• Analysis requires simulation of entire pump
• Blood pumps are small with variable speed drives

Blood handling characteristics + traditional pump characteristics VAHI

(blood damages) (flow rate, pressure, efficiency) University of Virginia

Left Ventricular
Assist Device
CFD Example - HVAC
Thermal comfort & indoor air quality for green buildings

• Operative temperature
Indoor air quality metrics • Draft temperature
• Contaminant removal effectiveness
• Local air quality index
CFD Evolution

Capabilities of CFD have been closely tied to developments in computing

• Advances in computing hardware
• Advances in numerical methods
• Concurrent developments in other disciplines

CFD is now a stable and mainstream tool for many industries

Current CFD Research at Widener

3D Printer

Data Center

Autonomous
Underwater Vehicle
What is a Data Center?
A large room housing computing,
other electronic equipment, & air
conditioning units

D.C. energy consumption

accounted for ~2% of total U.S.
electricity usage in 2014

15% yearly increase

Room should be kept within

a certain temperature

30 to 50% of DC energy
spent on cooling
Data Center
• Operational data center - 405 m2 (4350 sq ft)
• 12 ACUs; 1412 servers in 120 cabinets
Data Center
Investigate the sources of inefficiencies

cabinet

server
Data Center – Virtual Reality
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
Inspirations from
Nature

Fish use obstructions to save

energy

Trout-like System

Can AUV operating in tandem

use less energy?
Advancing 3D Printing - Funded research
Controlling environment to improve 3D printing quality
2 Faculty , 2 Graduate (4+1) Students, and 3 Undergraduate Students

Simulation

Experimental Setup

Material
Testing
Questions?