Modelling and Simulation

The objective of numerical simulation is to provide vital assistance during the early stages (decision making, pre- design) and the final stages (optimisation) of the development process. The possibility to carry out experimental investigations at OWI offers an ideal environment for the validation of simulation results and a platform for direct implementation in the prototype.

OWI’s areas of expertise include numerical analysis of materials and fluid flows in a system, development of mathematical models for model-based control system and transient simulation of dynamic systems.

The application of flow simulations (CFD – Computational Fluid Dynamics) is an integral part of the design-stage and plays an important role in understanding the behaviour of different technical components. The components are subjected to various fluid flow calculations. Calculations such as reactive flow, combustion and multi-phase flows are considered in particular.

In addition to the fluid dynamic simulations, numerical analyses of high thermal loaded structures are carried out with the help of finite element methods (CSM – Computational Structural Mechanics). In case of long-term testing and lifetime calculations, deciding factors, like creep and high-temperature corrosion, determine the loading conditions. These factors also provide significant information during durability analysis.

The section dynamic system simulation encompasses the dynamic modelling of complex technical and physical systems like the fuel cell systems, domestic heating systems and thermal process plants. These models are also used to verify alternative system configurations. Furthermore, dynamic models facilitate the so-called “model-based design of control system”. These models serve to identify a system which is independent of test bench systems and assist in the development of different control strategies.