Numerical solution, of model equations

The theoretical and numerical basis of computational flow modeling (CFM) is described in detail in Part II. The three major tasks involved in CFD, namely, mathematical modeling of fluid flows, numerical solution of model equations and computer implementation of numerical techniques are discussed. The discussion on mathematical modeling of fluid flows has been divided into four chapters (2 to 5). Basic governing equations (of mass, momentum and energy), ways of analysis and possible simplifications of these equations are discussed in Chapter 2. Formulation of different boundary conditions (inlet, outlet, walls, periodic/cyclic and so on) is also discussed. Most of the discussion is restricted to the modeling of Newtonian fluids (fluids exhibiting the linear dependence between strain rate and stress). In most cases, industrial... 

Mathematical models of flow processes are non-linear, coupled partial differential equations. Analytical solutions are possible only for some simple cases. For most flow processes which are of interest to a reactor engineer, the governing equations need to be solved numerically. A brief overview of basic steps involved in the numerical solution of model equations is given in Section 1.2. In this chapter, details of the numerical solution of model equations are discussed. 

Numerical solutions of model equations generate large sets of numbers. Appropriate post-processing tools are essential to analyze and to interpret these simulation results. Many commercial CFD codes provide in-built post-processing facilities or allow results to be exported to other post-processing packages. The key issues in evaluating CFD post-processors are briefly summarized in Table 8.2. 

Figure 2. Flowsheet of basic steps in the numerical solution of model equations.

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