COA-CFD Mid Term Consortium Review

The COA-CFD project has reached its mid-term review, marking significant progress in making computational fluid dynamics (CFD) more accessible to industries, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). By developing cloud-based, on-demand CFD tools, the project is bridging the gap for companies that traditionally lack the resources for such advanced simulations. The cloud platform alsim Cloud allows users to perform simulations without requiring expensive local hardware, offering an affordable and scalable solution that caters to the specific needs of smaller companies.

A key highlight of the project has been the development of hybrid solvers. These solvers combine multiple numerical methods enabling simulations of complex, multi-physical processes like fluid-structure interaction and electrostatic effects. Optimized for high-performance computing, these solvers utilize GPU acceleration to handle large-scale industrial simulations efficiently. <Read more here>

One prominent application of these solvers is in the automotive industry, where they are being used for top coating simulations. ESS, Audi, and Mazlite are collaborating to simulate the final layer of vehicle painting, a challenging process involving airflow, atomization, and electrostatics. The solvers aim to improve painting quality, reduce material waste, and ensure efficient energy use. This application demonstrates the project’s ability to address real-world industrial challenges.

Additionally, the project has expanded to other use cases, including CFD for chemical reactors in collaboration with Biosimo AG and renewable wind energy simulations with a Korean consortium. These diverse applications showcase the flexibility of the hybrid solvers and their ability to tackle complex scenarios across multiple industries.

Moving forward, the COA-CFD project will focus on validating these tools in real-world settings and optimizing their performance. The cloud-based platform and solver advancements are designed to streamline workflows and reduce costs, ensuring that CFD technologies can be easily adopted by industries that stand to benefit the most. As the project progresses, it continues to push the boundaries of what CFD can achieve, making advanced simulations a practical and accessible tool for innovation across sectors.