Product category:
Design and Development Consultancy
News Release from: Intelligent Fluid Solutions | Subject: CFD services
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 18 October 2004
Virtual design aids domestic kettle
development
IFS recently used a "mixed tool" approach in aiding the development of a new domestic kettle.
As more engineering companies are realising its benefits, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is entering the mainstream of engineering, but can still remain out of the reach of many SME manufacturers The cost of bringing the technology in-house can be prohibitive and using consultants can cause a large hole in cash flow with sometimes, uncertain benefits
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 23 Aug 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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IFS recently used this "mixed tool" approach in aiding the development of a domestic kettle.
Rather than attempt to simulate the boiling process, which was prohibitively expensive for the client, IFS identified that the preboiling, "bubbly" flow was key to the design and developed a way of rapidly analysing prospective designs.
The work was performed in two stages: the first was to prove that CFD could indeed predict the increase in water temperature as power was applied to the heating element.
This is not as simple as one would imagine as the transfer of heat from the element to the bulk water is governed by a number of complex processes.
One of the most important of these was the formation and subsequent behaviour of tiny bubbles of water vapour.
These bubbles can be seen clearly when taking the lid off a kettle.
As the bubbles rush to the water surface they act to mix the flow in the kettle aiding the heat transfer process.
IFS used a mixture of CFD analysis and spreadsheet modelling to simulate the "bubbly" flow and match results with basic experimental data.
The next stage of the work was to develop a rapid way to assess multiple designs.
This was achieved by using a "cut-down" CFD model of the system in conjunction with more spreadsheet modelling.
These "submodels" captured the essential physics but could generate a design assessment within a day.
A significant improvement on the time required to build and test a design experimentally.
Compared with months for a normal build-and-test design programme, and weeks for a full CFD analysis, IFS was able to deliver an assessment of a potential design in one day.
The work performed by IFS helped to resolve contradictions in experimental results, improve understanding of the flows and enabled the product to be developed rapidly, reducing costs and time to market.
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