In this lecture, we explore conjugate heat transfer (CHT) in OpenFOAM, covering heat conduction in solids, convection in fluids, and their interaction at interfaces. We discuss the governing theory, boundary conditions, and solver options, including compressible flows, Boussinesq approximation for incompressible flows, and radiation effects. Practical setup for multi-region simulations is demonstrated using a 2D square cylinder, showing how to handle different regions, meshes, and coupled solvers. By the end, learners will understand how to simulate conduction, convection, and radiation across fluid-solid interfaces in OpenFOAM.

In this lecture, we explore the simulation of flow past a square cylinder with the inclusion of buoyancy effects using the Boussinesq approximation in OpenFOAM. Building on our previous lectures on incompressible flow, we introduce how temperature variations can induce artificial density changes in an incompressible fluid, leading to buoyancy-driven flow.

We cover the complete setup of this simulation, including geometry preparation, boundary conditions, solver selection, and transport properties. The lecture demonstrates the use of the buoyantPimpleFoam solver for laminar flow, explaining the role of the Boussinesq approximation, the definition of thermal expansion coefficients, and the importance of setting gravity direction for buoyancy-dominant flows.

Through practical examples, we also discuss mesh generation, pressure and velocity initialization, and visualization of temperature and velocity fields. You will see how temperature gradients influence vortex shedding and flow patterns, highlighting the importance of mesh resolution for accurate results.

By the end of this session, learners will understand how to set up and run buoyant incompressible flow simulations in OpenFOAM and interpret the resulting flow structures influenced by thermal effects.

In this lecture, we explore the buoyantPimpleFoam solver in OpenFOAM, a solver designed for compressible flows that solves the full energy equation without assuming a direct relationship between temperature and density. Unlike the previously discussed buoyantBoussinesqPimpleFoam solver for incompressible fluids, this solver accounts for compressibility and temperature-driven density variations in a more general and realistic manner.

We walk through setting up a simulation step-by-step, including:

• Creating and organizing the simulation folder

• Defining absolute pressure values for compressible flow

• Setting thermophysical properties such as dynamic viscosity, Prandtl number, and perfect gas equations

• Configuring boundary conditions, inlet velocities, and temperatures

• Adjusting controlDict for variable time-stepping based on Courant number

• Selecting appropriate numerical schemes for energy and momentum equations

Additionally, we discuss common challenges in compressible simulations, such as handling high continuity errors, time-step adjustments, and mesh resolution effects, and show how to interpret and visualize preliminary results in OpenFOAM.

By the end of this lecture, learners will understand the fundamental setup of buoyantPimpleFoam, the differences from incompressible solvers, and the practical considerations required for accurate simulations of compressible buoyant flows.

In this lecture, we explore how to improve solution accuracy in buoyantPimpleFoam and buoyantPimpleFoam with radiation by modifying the fvSchemes in OpenFOAM. Starting from default discretization, we demonstrate step-by-step how to use linear upwind, limited linear, and least-squares schemes to reduce pressure and temperature errors, observe vortex structures, and analyze the effect of radiation on heat transfer. Practical examples highlight the impact of discretization choices on simulation results.

In this lecture, we demonstrate how to set up and simulate radiation in OpenFOAM using the buoyantPimpleFoam solver. Building on previous simulations with fluid flow and convection, we introduce radiation modeling using the finite volume discrete ordinates method (fvDOM). Key topics include selecting radiation models, defining absorption-emission properties, applying gray diffusive boundary conditions, and visualizing the effects of radiation on temperature and flow fields. This hands-on session prepares you for more advanced heat transfer simulations involving multi-region conjugate heat transfer.

In this lecture, we explore Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) in OpenFOAM, a simulation technique that combines heat transfer in both solid and fluid regions. We begin by setting up a half-domain flow past a square cylinder to include conduction in the solid and convection and radiation in the fluid. The lecture covers the complete workflow: creating multi-region meshes using blockMesh and SnappyHexMesh, defining fluid and solid regions, setting up boundary and initial conditions, configuring thermophysical and radiation properties, and using chtMultiRegionFoam to solve the coupled problem.

Through hands-on demonstrations, you will learn how to initialize, run, and visualize CHT simulations in OpenFOAM, observing temperature gradients, vortex shedding, and radiation effects over time. By the end of this session, learners will be equipped to simulate heat transfer in systems involving solid-fluid interactions efficiently.

In this lecture, we dive into the implementation of source terms in OpenFOAM using the FVOptions dictionary. Building on previous thermal simulations, we explore how to incorporate heat sources, pressure gradients, and other source terms for single and multi-region setups.

You will learn:

• How to create and configure the FVOptions dictionary for fluid and solid regions.

• The different types of source terms available, including derived, general, semi-implicit, and inter-region sources.

• How to apply directional pressure gradients and define associated phase zones and cell zones.

• Techniques to create cell sets, face sets, and face zones using toposetDict for accurate source application.

• How to implement a heat source in fluid regions, and how to troubleshoot missing entries or configuration issues by referencing source code.

• Visualization and verification of source terms’ effects on flow and temperature fields.

By the end of this lecture, you will be able to add and customize various source terms in OpenFOAM simulations, understand the required setup for different regions, and visualize their impact on your simulation results.

In this lecture, we explore the Finite Area (FA) method in OpenFOAM, a powerful technique to efficiently model thin boundaries and surfaces without excessive meshing. You’ll learn how to apply one-dimensional physics to surfaces, such as walls conducting heat to or from the surrounding environment, which can drastically reduce computational cost compared to fully meshing thin solids.

We cover step-by-step instructions to:

• Set up FA meshes for surfaces and define the associated patches and boundaries.

• Configure FA schemes and solutions, including divSchemes, laplacianSchemes, and source terms for thermal problems.

• Implement thermal shell boundary conditions to couple 2D FA surfaces with 3D domains, enabling heat exchange simulations.

• Add external heat sources and model contact or convection effects efficiently using FA.

• Visualize the results and verify temperature distribution across the surface.

This method is particularly useful for simulations involving conjugate heat transfer, lubrication, or friction problems, where detailed resolution of thin layers is computationally expensive. By the end of the lecture, you’ll know how to implement a finite area mesh, apply source terms, and solve energy equations to model heat transfer across surfaces effectively.