OVERVIEW

The teaching module provides the basics that characterize the latest numerical techniques applied to the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for turbulent compressible flows in steady or time-dependent conditions. In this way, the students are provided with skills suitable both to programming the numerical solution of turbulent flows in simple geometries as well as to interpreting the programming modalities adopted in existing CFD software packages.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course has two objectives, integrated and complementary to each other: first, to provide the conceptual, analytical and numerical bases of compressible flows prediction, in presence of turbulence, heat transfer and, if necessary, also chemical reactions, typically found in energy-related industrial processes, second, to provide an overview, and, in some cases, a direct operational experience (‘training’) on the application of CFD software tools (Computational Fluid Dynamics, also in the 'Reactive’ version, CRFD) now so widespread and applied in industry. Since the main target of the course is to convey operational skills to the students, the emphasis will be more centred on the correct methodological approach to perform a sound CFD analysis, even complex, as well as on a proper 'engineering' interpretation of results, in terms of their physical consistency, trends’ capturing and validation capability, rather than to provide students with competences related to turbulent Navier-Stokes equations’ numerical programming. On the other hand, these equations, at least at a basic level, must be already known in their properties and application potential.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures. Some numerical exercises will be assigned to be developed as homework during the semester.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

- The role of CFD in modern energy-related engineering of industrial processes, as an integral part of other CAE software tools ('Computer Assisted Engineering'), such as CAD and CAM.
- The thermo-fluid-dynamics conservation principles and the corresponding mathematical equations that govern the flow processes, even complex, taking place in power generation and industrial plants.
- Numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations, grid generation, implementation of boundary conditions, models of turbulence, heat transfer, and reactive processes.
- Modern numerical discretization techniques, finite difference methods for structured-grid methods, finite-volume conservative discretization, properties of structured and non-structured grids.
- The CFD software packages available today, trying to compare the codes of scientific characterization with those of more ‘commercial’ origin, in order to perform reliable numerical predictions even in very complex real-world situations
- Methods to achieve a correct interpretation of numerical simulations’ results, discussing the validation capabilities as well as the assessment of their physical consistency, reliability, and reproducibility.
Due to the very nature of the course, the practical training imparted to students will play a crucial role.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Course Notes (in English) prepared by the teacher
- C. Hirsch, The Fundamentals of Computational Fluid Dynamics, Volume 1, Butterworth-
Heinemann, 2007 (Google eBook)
- User manuals of today's most popular commercial CFD packages

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ALESSANDRO NILBERTO (President)

FERRUCCIO PITTALUGA (President)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes start on Tuesday, September 20th, 2016, at 5 o'clock p.m.

Class schedule

INDUSTRIAL FLUID-DYNAMICS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination will consist of a written test and an oral discussion. The outcome of the written test is considered more important than the oral counterpart in determining the final grade (see 'Assessment Methods'). 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The final grade depends on the following percentage 'weights':

• 20% from the homework assignments (2 or 3 numerical programming exercises) to be handed in, as formal Reports, before the oral exam
• 60% from the written test
• 20% from the oral exam

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

The student will not be admitted to the final examination if he/she has not compiled the online module of the teaching module evaluation.