What is CFD & Why use it?
Design Improvement
Optimize your product by understanding the underlying flow phenomena
Better than Testing
CFD is not only faster and cheaper than experimental flow analysis –
It can also provide more data
CFD is the abbreviation for Computational Fluid Dynamics. It is an engineering method used to numerically simulate fluid flow and heat transfer processes. Instead of performing expensive and time-consuming experiments, the underlying physical equations – the Navier–Stokes equations – are solved computationally. This enables the calculation, analysis, and visualization of highly complex flow phenomena such as turbulence, pressure distribution, and temperature fields.
Essentially, CFD divides the domain in which the fluid moves into millions of small cells – the so-called computational mesh. Within each of these cells, physical quantities such as velocity, pressure, and temperature are computed. Depending on the specific problem and the required level of accuracy, different numerical methods can be employed, such as the Finite Volume Method (FVM), Finite Element Method (FEM), or Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM).
Today, CFD has become an indispensable tool across numerous industries – from the aerodynamics of ground and airborne vehicles, to the optimization of cooling systems, to flow analysis within piping networks and buildings. Compared to physical experiments, CFD offers deeper and more flexible insights: it allows engineers to visualize every flow field within the entire domain, explore design variations quickly, and gain a detailed understanding of processes that are often impossible to measure experimentally. It is therefore also significantly faster and easier to use in an exploratory way than physical experiments or prototype testing.
Typical CFD Applications
Aerodynamics and External Flows
CFD helps optimize shapes of aircraft, cars, and turbines by accurately predicting airflow, drag, and lift – reducing the need for costly wind tunnel testing.
HVAC and Indoor Airflow
CFD visualizes air movement in buildings to optimize ventilation, temperature distribution, and air quality, ensuring comfort and sustainability in indoor environments.
Process and Chemical Engineering
CFD models mixing, combustion, and reactions in process equipment, helping engineers enhance performance, reduce emissions, and scale production efficiently.
Fluid-Structure Interaction and Multiphysics
Coupling CFD with structural analysis allows engineers to predict how pressure and flow affect mechanical components, supporting safer and more durable designs.
Thermal Management and Cooling Systems
By simulating heat transfer and fluid flow, CFD enables efficient cooling design for electronics, batteries, and industrial systems, preventing overheating and improving energy efficiency.