Solvers Comparison Solver
SimFlow is utilizing the OpenFOAM solvers. In this approach, user needs to choose a specialized solver suited to their specific problems, as there is no universal solver available for every application. A solver is defined as an application designed to solve a specific set of equations representing a particular phenomenon, utilizing integrated tools.
Below, you will find a detailed comparison of solvers within each group.
Solvers Comparison Incompressible Solvers Comparison
Incompressible Solvers In this group, we have included single-phase, pressure-based solvers for low-speed flows with negligible variations in density, applicable for external and internal aerodynamics (Ma < 0.3) and hydrodynamics. These solvers use incompressibility features for stability and robustness.
Incompressible, Stedy-State - Main Solvers
- simpleFoam steady-state, SIMPLE algorithm
- overSimpleFoam extension of simpleFoam with Overset
- SRFSimpleFoam variant of simpleFoam resolved in SRF
Incompressible, Transient - Main Solvers
- pimpleFoam transient, PIMPLE algorithm, DyM
- overPimpleDyMFoam extension of pimpleFoam with Overset, DyM
- SRFPimpleFoam variant of pimpleFoam resolved in SRF
Incompressible, Transient - Simplified Solvers*
- * Dedicated solvers for simplified scenarios, improve stability and computational efficiency
- ** The PISO algorithm is used for cases with a small Courant number Co < 1
- DyM - Dynamic Mesh
- MRF - Multiple Reference Frame
- SRF - Single Reference Frame
- Overset - also known as Chimera Grid (Method)
- SIMPLE - Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure-Linked Equations
- PIMPLE - merged PISO and SIMPLE
- PISO - Pressure-Implicit Split-Operator
Solvers Comparison Compressible Solvers Comparison
Compressible Solvers In this group, we have included single-phase, pressure and density-based solvers that can handle flows with significant variations in density, mostly applicable for and high-speed aerodynamics (Ma > 0.3)
Subsonic / Transonic, Steady-State, Ma < 1
- rhoSimpleFoam steady-state, pressure-based, small density changes
- overRhoSimpleFoam extension of rhoSimpleFoam with Overset
Subsonic / Transonic, Transient, Ma < 1
- rhoPimpleFoam transient, pressure-based, small density changes, DyM
- overRhoPimpleDyMFoam extension of rhoPimpleFoam with Overset, DyM
Transonic / Supersonic, Pressure-Based, Ma > 1
- sonicFoam transient, pressure-based, shock waves
- sonicDyMFoam extension of sonicFoam with DyM
Transonic / Supersonic, Density-Based, Ma > 1
- rhoCentralFoam transient, density-based, shock waves
- rhoCentralDyMFoam extension of rhoCentralFoam with DyM
- Ma - Mach Number
- DyM - Dynamic Mesh
- Overset - also known as Chimera Grid (Method)
Solvers Comparison Heat Transfer Solvers Comparison
Heat Transfer Solvers In this group, we have included solvers that are designed to model: Heat Transfer, Radiation, Natural and Forced Convection, Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT).
Heat Transfer, Single Fluid
- buoyantSimpleFoam steady-state, compressible, buoyancy-driven flow
- buoyantPimpleFoam transient, compressible, buoyancy-driven flow
Heat Transfer, Single Fluid - Boussinesq
- buoyantBoussinesqSimpleFoam steady-state, incompressible, buoyancy using Boussinesq approximation
- buoyantBoussinesqPimpleFoam transient, incompressible, buoyancy using Boussinesq approximation
Heat Transfer, Single Solid
- laplacianFoam steady-state and transient, thermal conduction in solid
- overLaplacianDyMFoam extension of laplacianFoam with Overset
CHT, Multiple Fluids / Solids
- chtMultiRegionSimpleFoam steady-state, compressible, arbitrary fluid and solid regions
- chtMultiRegionFoam transient, compressible, arbitrary fluid and solid regions
- CHT - Conjugate Heat Transfer
- MRF - Multiple Reference Frame
- Overset - also known as Chimera Grid (Method)
Solvers Comparison Multiphase - Free Surface (VoF) Solvers Comparison
Free Surface (VoF) Solvers In this group, we have included solvers implementing Volume of Fluid (VoF) approach to handle multiple immiscible and miscible fluids and interactions between them.
Free Surface (VoF) - Immiscible
- interFoam 2 immiscible fluids, DyM
- multiphaseInterFoam multiple immiscible fluids, DyM
- interIsoFoam* 2 immiscible fluids, isoAdvector* method, DyM
- overInterDyMFoam extension of interFoam with Overset, DyM
- compressibleInterFoam compressible version of interFoam with heat transfer
- compressibleInterDyMFoam compressible version of interFoam with heat transfer and DyM
Free Surface (VoF) - Miscible
- interMixingFoam 3 fluids (2 miscible and 1 immiscible), DyM
- twoLiquidMixingFoam** 2 miscible fluids
- * isoAdvector - an alternative approach for interface capturing, MULES method used in other VoF solvers
- ** Solver designed to handle mixtures consisting of multiple fluids within the same phase, such as two gases or two liquids
- VoF - Volume of Fluid
- DyM - Dynamic Mesh
- Overset - also known as Chimera Grid (Method)
Solvers Comparison Multiphase - Phase Change Solvers Comparison
Phase Change Solvers In this group, we have included solvers implementing Phase Change models to handle cavitation, and surface evaporation/condensation (liquid and its vapor phases).
Phase Change - Cavitation
- cavitatingFoam 2 immiscible fluids, dedicated to cavitation, Homogeneous Equilibrium Model (HEM)
- interPhaseChangeFoam 2 immiscible fluids, dedicated to cavitation, VoF, Phase Change Models: Schnerr-Sauer, Merkle, Kunz
- cavitatingDyMFoam extension of cavitatingFoam with DyM
- interPhaseChangeDyMFoam extension of interPhaseChangeFoam with DyM
- overInterPhaseChangeDyMFoam extension of interPhaseChangeFoam with Overset, DyM
Phase Change - Condensation / Evaporation
- interCondensatingEvaporatingFoam 2 immiscible fluids, phase changes (evaporation and condensation) between a fluid and its vapor phase
- VoF - Volume of Fluid
- DyM - Dynamic Mesh
- Overset - also known as Chimera Grid (Method)
Solvers Comparison Multiphase - Dispersed Solvers Comparison
Dispersed Solvers In this group, we have included solvers implementing the Eulerian or Lagrangian approach to handle multiple fluids and particle clouds considering Dispersed Phases or Fluid-Particle interactions.
Dispersed - Euler
- multiphaseEulerFoam multiple miscible fluids, Euler-Euler approach
Dispersed - Lagrangian
- DPMDyMFoam extension of DPMFoam with DyM
- MPPICDyMFoam extension of MPPICFoam with DyM
Dispersed - Drift-Flux
- driftFluxFoam 1 fluid and slurry or plastic dispersed phase, drift flux approximation for relative phase motion
- DPM - Discrete Phase Model
- MP-PIC - multiphase particle-in-cell method
- DyM - Dynamic Mesh
Solvers Comparison Species & Reactions Solvers Comparison
Species & Reactions Solvers In this group, we have included compressible (pressure-based) solvers that can be used to simulate: Species Transport, Multicomponent Gas Mixtures, Chemical Reactions, Combustion.
Multicomponent
- simpleReactingParcelFoam steady-state, multiphase particle clouds
- reactingParcelFoam transient, multiphase particle clouds
Spray
- sprayFoam transient, liquid particles only, dedicated to fuel spray combustion
- sprayDyMFoam extension of sprayFoam with DyM
Coal
- simpleCoalParcelFoam steady-state, coal particles only
- coalChemistryFoam transient, coal particles only
Gas*
- reactingFoam fluids with minor density fluctuations (caused by pressure variance), no buoyancy
- rhoReactingFoam fluids with density variations due to reactions, no buoyancy
- rhoReactingBuoyantFoam extension of rhoReactingFoam with buoyancy forces
- * All solvers in this group are transient
- DyM - Dynamic Mesh