Shell-tube heat exchanger simulation shows flow, temperature, and pressure distributions.
The biggest cosmetic difference in the software is the addition of the ribbon made famous by the Microsoft Office programs. Though not a fan of these ribbons myself, COMSOL’s CTO, Ed Fontes believes that, “[the] ribbon provides users with a clear picture of the workflow of the modeling process, helping them to quickly and easily determine the functionality that is available for each of the steps involved.” Commands are grouped and positions based on their task and within the various tabs (geometry, definitions, mesh, physics, study, and results).
Another noted environment addition is the use of one-click graphic selection. By hovering over a feature, it will highlight. The feature can then be selected by clicking on it.
Multiphysics coupling. em>
COMSOL’s VP of Product Management Bjorn Sjodin notes that, “[the] Multiphysics node gives you a comprehensive overview of the available couplings in your model. You can then control how to account for multiphysics phenomena by deciding how the physics included in your simulation interact with one another.”
Mixer module simulates thermal flows in a non-adiabatic system.
New to the system is a Mixer module that is intended to analyze industrial mixers used in the pharma, food, and chemical industries. The Mixer module can simulate impeller design, concentrations, velocities, and temperature distribution.
There are also some big improvements to the CFD module in COMSOL 4.4 so it can now handle turbulent/laminar flows, Newtonian/non-Newtonian fluids, free-surface, reacting, and non-adiabatic flows.
For more information on these other advancements visit COMSOL’s release highlights.
Story and Images courtesy of COMSOL.