XFlow CFD
XFlow CFD Multifluids & Multiphysics Fluid Dynamics to Predict Transient Dynamic Behaviour.
XFlow represents the next generation in CFD solution technologies. Moving beyond the Navier-Stokes equation and traditional meshing, XFlow is based on the Lattice Boltzman approach, and being particle based requires no invovled meshing processes. Being free from the constraints imposed on conventional CFD codes, XFlow readily handles moving geometries and free surfaces.
Main Features
Automatic Lattice Generation
Automatic lattice generation and adaptive refinement capabilities minimize user inputs, reducing time and effort in the meshing and pre-processing phase.
Turbulence Modelling: High Fidelity WMLES
XFlow features a high fidelity Wall-Modelled Large Eddy Simulation (WMLES) approach to turbulence modeling. The underlying state-of-the-art LES, provides a consistent local eddy-viscosity and near wall behaviour.
Adaptive Wake Refinement
XFlow automatically adapts the resolved scales to the user requirements, refining the quality of the solution near the walls, dynamically adapting to the presence of strong gradients and refining the wake as the flow develops.
Fast Simulation Set-Up
XFlow drastically cuts the time spent on the preparation of the simulation, and the initial domain discretisation. It enables you to optimize the balance of your engineering and computer time costs.
XFlow CFD Industry Applications
XFlow CFD Automotive
Aerodynamics: The virtual wind tunnel module allows rapid and straightforward set-up of external aero studies; the inclusion of moving wheels and other parts further enhances the realism obtaintained. A moving floor can be included, and co-simulation with multi-body-dynamics code enhances things further with realistic suspension reactions to aerodynamic loads.
Acoustics: By directly calculating acoustic pressures XFlow helps engineers address one of the significant challenges in automotive engineering. Much successful validation has been carried out
Powertrain: XFlow has successfully been used to model oil flows within automotive powertrains; both in engines and gearboxes. The meshless particle approach handles the constantly changing internal geometries, whilst being able to calculate the interaction of the two phases enhances solution accuracy.
XFlow CFD Marine
Hydro-dynamic: Free surface flows with adaptive wake refinement allow engineers to calculate the resistance of hulls, assess seakeeping and determine the flow characteristics of open channels.
Moving part: Whether it’s the behaviour of a ships hull or a tidal turbine submerged beneath the water XFlow can handle 6 degrees of freedom in the motion of unrestrained bodies.
Waves: Using Stokes theory XFlow can generate waves which can be used in seakeeping studies, assessments of bouys and other free floating and fixed machinery and devices.
Sailing: Using a combination of the above features and two phase flow, models of sailing vessels can be created and run. A number of cosimulation options open the gate for coupled analyses, further increasing scope and realism.
XFlow CFD Aerospace
Aerodynamics: External aero studies are an obvious application for any CFD code and XFlow excels in this, whilst also offering many benefits when it comes to model set-up. The accuracy of XFlow in this sort of application is demonstrated by many reference benchmarks, which include the 1st and 2nd AIAA High Lift Prediction Workshop cases.
Flight Dynamics: The ability to allow parts the freedom to move, or be driven in a controlled manner allows users to investigate flight dynamics scenarios. Full polar sweeps for flaps and other devices and equipment are possible, breaking through the barriers imposed by more traditional CFD technologies.
Fluid structural interaction: The holy grail of multi-physics technologies, FSI is essential if real world situations like ditching and pitch damping are to be modelled and investigated. Coupling with structural and multi-body dynamics codes allows full and complex FSI studies to be undertaken.
Thermal Analysis: Thermal studies can be carried out using XFlow, the results being fully coupled with the flow regime. This enables XFlow to be used for a wide range of conjugate heat transfer.
XFlow CFD Energy
Wind Power: The unsteady turbulent flows associated with wind turbines can be readily analysed in XFlow’s virtual wind tunnel. It can calculate loads on blades, wake turbulence, and the blades can revolve freely or the motion can be prescribed. Studies can be carried out to determine how the wake of one turbine will impact the effectiveness of others placed near it.
Hydropower: Tidal turbines and wave energy devices can utilise the ability of XFlow to model unconstrained bodies to model their operation in an accurate and realistic manner. Water wheels of various types have been successfully modelled.
Oil and Gas: CFD has many, many, applications in the field of oil and gas. Multi-phase flow and fluid mixing are widely carried out in this field, whilst XFlow’s ability to resolve surface tension in free surface flow situations is critical in a number of offshore applications.
XFlow CFD Architecture, Engineering & Construction
Wind Loads: Using the virtual wind tunnel civil engineers can assess the level of wind induced loads on a structure, and pressure on facades. The LES turbulence approach is well placed to provide accurate results for civil engineering problems.
Inernal Comfort: The thermal solver can be used for the simulation of problems concerning Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. The discrete phase module of XFlow allows engineers to calculate how dust will settle around internal spaces.
XFlow CFD Manufacturing
Fans and Mixers: Rotating objects like fans and mixers have been challenging for CFD systems in the past, but the moving body functionality in XFlow makes them a realistic proposition for accurate representations. The LES turbulence model enhances the results quality in these difficult and complex devices. It is also possible to use a conventional fan boundary condition for less challenging projects.
Nozzles and Sprays: Fluid droplets and atomisation can be modelled using free surfaces or the multiphase flow solver. Adaptive refinement improves definition where the droplets are splashing against objects and surfaces. This makes XFlow ideal for applications like windscreen washers.
Valves and Pumps: Like fans and turbines, valves and pumps have traditionally provided challenges for CFD engineers. By modelling the transients which occur during operation additional design insights can be obtained, and the moving geometry can capture port opening dynamics.
Thermal management: Electronics packaging and ensuing thermal management issues are a staple of the CFD world and its workflows, and XFlow offers all the functionality necessary for these projects.
