Making turbulent flow simulations more accurate
Ed Komen developed improved simulation methods that enhance the accuracy of fluid dynamics models. His work helps engineers design safer and more efficient systems.
From aircraft design to energy infrastructure, engineers rely on fluid simulations to understand how air, water, and other substances move through complex environments. These simulations are powered by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), a tool that reduces costs, improves safety, and lowers environmental impact by minimizing the need for physical testing.
However, simulating turbulence — the chaotic, swirling motion of fluids — remains a major challenge, especially in systems with intricate shapes such as pipes, engines, or heat exchangers. PhD researcher Ed Komen explored how CFD methods can be made more reliable and physically accurate in these unpredictable situations. He defended his thesis on Monday July 7.
Fixing fundamental inaccuracies in widely used CFD methods
focused on a popular open source CFD platform called OpenFOAM, which is commonly used in both industry and academia.
He discovered that a frequently used class of methods in OpenFOAM does not conserve kinetic energy correctly. This leads to artificial energy loss known as numerical dissipation, which reduces the physical accuracy of the simulations.
He introduced a new technique to measure this numerical dissipation and found that it can be larger than the effects of the turbulence models themselves.
His analysis revealed that the main cause of the problem is a small but persistent pressure error in the numerical approach. This error arises from simplifications made to keep simulations stable and efficient.
Sharper simulations of turbulent flows
By pinpointing and fixing a hidden source of inaccuracy in widely used CFD tools, Komen’s research made turbulence simulations more reliable and physically realistic.
His improved methods helped engineers better predict fluid behavior in complex systems, supporting safer designs, cleaner energy and more efficient technologies.
PhD researcher Ed Komen
A new solver for accurate turbulence modelling
To address the issue, Komen developed a new CFD solver called RKSymmFoam. It is based on a class of advanced time integration methods known as Runge Kutta methods.
The solver includes a pressure correction strategy that greatly reduces the pressure error and nearly eliminates artificial energy loss, even when using complex and irregular simulation grids.
RKSymmFoam provides accurate results for both Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) approaches, which are used to study turbulent flows in detail.
Komen’s method is especially well suited for situations involving complex geometries and high flow speeds.
Supporting safer and more sustainable design
By improving the accuracy and physical reliability of CFD tools, this research helps engineers and scientists make better decisions in areas where fluid behavior is critical.
These include the design of safer infrastructure, cleaner energy systems, more efficient transportation, and technologies with reduced environmental impact.
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Supervisors
Barry Koren, Hans Kuerten
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