CFD Analysis
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) plays a crucial role in simulating and analysing fluid flow and heat transfer around marine structures, vessels, and offshore assets. By harnessing advanced numerical techniques and high-performance computing, our CFD capabilities enable us to visualize complex hydrodynamic behaviours such as wave interaction, resistance, propulsion, and wake patterns with high precision. This empowers our engineers to optimize design performance, improve energy efficiency, and ensure operational safety, all while reducing the need for costly physical testing and forensic investigations.
At OceanEx, our team of experts offers advanced CFD simulation services tailored for a wide range of engineering applications applicable to marine and non-marine fluid-interacting bodies.
Whether your goal is to optimize performance, reduce resistance, evaluate cavitation risk, or analyze unsteady flow phenomena, our CFD solutions provide accurate and actionable insights.
Insight into our CFD Analysis Services
External Flow Simulations
We simulate external flows around a wide variety of objects, including ships, hydrofoils, propellers, and underwater installations, to evaluate pressure distribution, flow separation, vortex structures, and aerodynamic/hydrodynamic forces to assess:
- Hull performance in calm and wavy waters
- Drag analysis and shape optimization
- Wake structure prediction and visualization
- Free-surface interaction modelling for ships
Internal Flow Simulations
Our CFD solutions help analyse fluid movement through internal systems such as pipelines, ducts, pumps, ballast tanks, exhaust systems, or waterjets to assess:
- Pressure loss and flow uniformity
- Velocity field optimization
- Cavitation risk assessment in pumps or nozzles
- Flow balancing in complex systems
Propeller and Thruster Analysis
We specialize in simulating propeller performance under both cavitating and non-cavitating flow conditions using advanced multiphase models for:
- Thrust and torque predictions
- Open water characteristics
- Cavitation pattern analysis (sheet, tip, cloud)
- Pressure distribution and blade loading
- Hull-propeller-rudder interaction studies
Resistance and Propulsion Analysis
Our resistance analysis enables the decomposition of total hull resistance into its components, supporting effective power calculations and the integration of propulsion systems to assess:
- Frictional and wave-making resistance
- Appendage and roughness resistance
- Effective and delivered power estimation
- Hull-propeller interaction coefficients
Cavitation and Multiphase Flow Analysis
Our experts provide a simulation of cavitation inception and development in marine systems, enabling clients to address efficiency, noise, and erosion risks, which allows for:
- Simulation of vapor volume fraction and estimating cavitation regions
- Transient cavitation modelling
- Cavitation control concept testing (e.g., grooves, tubercles)
- Analysis under various cavitation numbers and inflow conditions
Noise and Hydroacoustic Analysis
By coupling CFD results with acoustic modelling techniques (e.g., Ffowcs Williams–Hawkins), we predict noise generated by unsteady flow and cavitation-related noise affecting comfort, performance, and noise signatures.
Unsteady Flow and Vortex Dynamics
Time-accurate simulations (URANS, DES, LES) enable us to resolve flow separation, vortex shedding, pressure fluctuations, and force oscillations for assessing:
- Unsteady loading prediction
- Vibration source identification
- Flow-induced noise investigation
- Force fluctuation frequency analysis
Thermal and HVAC Flow Analysis
Our CFD team experts conduct thermal flow and HVAC analysis for enclosed spaces such as ship compartments, interiors, and structures for:
- Temperature distribution and heat transfer
- Airflow efficiency and ventilation effectiveness
- PMV/PPD thermal comfort indices
- CO₂ or smoke dispersion
- Emergency ventilation performance