FINFLO
is a Navier-Stokes flow solver capable of handling incompressible and
compressible flows. The development of FINFLO dates back to 1987, when a
research project in CFD was started at the Helsinki University of Technology
(HUT). This research led to the development of a sophisticated flow solver.
Today the software package, FINFLO, is maintained and further developed by
Finflo Ltd., a company founded by the developers of the code. In addition to the
flow solver itself, the FINFLO environment contains several supporting tools for
pre-processing (grid-generation) and post-processing (e.g. for visualization,
data analysis etc.). FINFLO is effectively parallelized and can be used on
supercomputers as well as on personal workstations.In the FINFLO code the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are solved by a finite-volume method. Reynolds-averaging is practically the only way to handle the effects of turbulence in technical applications. There are other methods such as large-eddy simulation, but those are still in their infancy. With the Reynolds-averaged equations several strategies can be utilized to model turbulence. In FINFLO turbulence modeling ranges from simple algebraic models (Baldwin-Lomax or Cebeci-Smith) to a full Reynolds-stress closure. The most common approaches (k-e and k-w) are two-equation models, i.e. in addition to the basic flow equations there are two additional differential equations to be solved.
In addition to aerodynamical simulations, the FINFLO-code has many different applications. An important field of application is rotating machinery. The code has been used to compute flows in pumps and ship propellers (incompressible flow) as well as in high-speed compressors, where the flow is compressible. Finflo Ltd. uses its own solver to perform numerical simulations. This is in many respects advantageous. If a model needed in a simulation does not exist, it can be easily and without a delay incorporated into the code. New approaches in turbulence modeling can be tested almost immediately those have been developed. In-house software also requires that the employees of the company have a very good knowledge of all the aspects in CFD. Our CFD research collaboration with HUT, VTT and Lappeenranta University of Technology gives us an opportunity to utilize the most modern technique in this field.
The activities at Finflo Ltd. are the following:
Various
CFD analyses using the FINFLO software. FINFLO can be applied for compressible
as well as incompressible flows. Multiphase flows can be handled only
approximatively. Simulation is based on Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS)
equations. Turbulence is modeled using low-Reynolds number models like k-e and
k-w-SST. In special cases a full Reynolds stress closure can be applied, but
this requires more computing capacity. Rotational flows are simulated and
time-dependent URANS calculations can also be performed.Other CFD related work like grid generation etc. Usually the grid generation is the most demanding task in CFD. Using the Gridgen preprocessor we generate suitable grids for the customers CFD analyses.
Physical
modeling and simulation. We can simulate various physical phenomena such as
gas-dynamics, mechanical systems, heat transfer etc. If the problem can be
described using ordinary differential equations and relative constitutive
models, we can perform the required simulations and also provide a simulator for
the customer if needed. Heat transfer calculations using FINFLO.
Experimental work is often needed to validate CFD simulations. With Apextrem Ltd. we can provide a complete package containing measurements and computer simulations. Apextrem has access to the wind tunnels of the Laboratory of Aerodynamics at the Helsinki University of Technology ( HUT). The LDA technique of the Laboratory of Applied Thermodynamics at HUT is also available.
Relevant Experience
People working at Finflo have a large experience in numerical simulation of various engineering problems:
Esa Salminen: 15 years experience in grid generation and CFD
Timo Siikonen: 25 years experience in numerical simulations and CFD