Computational Fluid Dynamics.

Quartus has experience in various applications of CFD, including for aerodynamics, propulsion, thermal analysis, and multi-phase dynamics. STAR-CCM+ is the software primarily used at Quartus for CFD problems, but other commercial and in-house codes have been used.

 

AERODYNAMICS APPLICATIONS

  • Modeling both steady and transient pressure distributions, skin friction, turbulent transitions, separation locations and other complex phenomenon
  • Using lightweight models that solve quickly
  • Mesh convergence studies
  • Adaptive solution based meshes for applications such as shock capturing
  • Propulsion systems are included with momentum source, blade element, or rotating reference system methods
  • Control surfaces are modeled directly in the primary mesh or with overset meshing techniques

 

THERMAL APPLICATIONS

Thermal problems are analyzed with CFD when the physics or flow interaction is not solvable by traditional thermal analysis software packages such as MAYA or Thermal Desktop. These types of problems can include:

  • Complex convection
  • Aerodynamic heating
  • Phase changes
  • Other complicating factors which are readily solved using CFD
 

MULTIPHASE FLOWS

  • Multiphase flows can readily be analyzed both with in-house Quartus software and with commercial CFD packages.
  • Quartus has developed QHYDRO for analysis of launch vehicle slosh to provide rapid analysis of tank and baffle configurations
  • CFD is used for more complex maneuvers inducing non-linear slosh or slosh in microgravity
  • Propellant management device design and analysis using CFD
  • Surface tension flows in microgravity

 

CUSTOM SOFTWARE

STAR-CCM+ has the ability to define custom field values. Quartus engineers have extensive experience using these values to control a variety of aspects of CFD models including:

  • Detailed meshing constraints
  • Accurate initial conditions
  • Computed post processing values
  • Complex flow physics
  • Complex motion such as aircraft and spacecraft maneuvers

In addition to custom field functions, STAR-CCM+ can be controlled using custom Java programs. Quartus engineers have used Java programs to trim aircraft in various flight configurations without drastically increasing solve times over a normal steady state solution.