91 CFD Simulations and VR Visualization for Process Design and Optimization

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has become a powerful simulation technology used in many industrial applications for process design and optimization to save energy, improve environment, and reduce costs. In order to better understand CFD results and more easily communicate with non-CFD experts, advanced virtual reality (VR) visualization is desired for CFD post-processing. Efforts have recently been made at Purdue University Calumet to integrate VR with CFD to visualize complex data in three dimensions in an interactive, virtual environment.

Historically, design engineers relied on CFD experts to interpret simulation results. With a virtual engineering system, design engineers will be able to assess the performance of their designs using CFD simulation results from a first person perspective. It will also allow plant engineers, operators, and other personnel to bring their experiences directly into the optimization process. The virtual engineering environment will greatly enhances the value of CFD simulations and allows engineers to gain much needed process insights in order to make sound engineering decisions.

Integrating CFD with VR will provide a fantastic technology for the design and optimization of industrial processes because it allows for

1) overview of all the data and close examination of specific data points;

2) sharing insights about complex phenomena among nonexperts;

3) empowering people to work collaboratively and intuitively;

4) reducing design time for better solutions;

5) enabling engineers to design, analyze, revise their designs and watch as those changes take effect in the virtual model—all in real time;

6) training students, engineers and operators;

Examples of a number of industrial applications will be presented.