The CFD Mixtape
By M-Star CFD
The CFD MixtapeMar 10, 2022
Hybridizing CFD & Experiment in Research
This week, guest Piero Armenante, Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at NJIT, joins John to talk about his background in mixing, what it takes to join his research group at NJIT, and the hybridization of CFD and experiment in his research.
In this episode, John and Piero discuss:
- The importance of hybridizing CFD and experiment in research
- Perspective on future software needs for the CFD community
- Challenges with complex rheologies
Big CFD / Huge Simulations
This week, guest Richard Kehn, Principal Engineer Mixing Technology at SPX Flow, joins John to talk about his experience as an engineer, large-scale CFD workflow and advice for engineers just starting out.
In this episode, John and Rich discuss:
- Rich’s career trajectory
- SPX Flow’s CFD workflow and orders of magnitude range of fluid flow volume
- Advice for CFD and other engineers just graduating college
“Mixing is quantitative. There are things you can calculate… but there’s also a flow pattern occurring. You got to make sure whatever you’re modeling, you’re getting that right… Seeing lots of tanks mix both in plants, in a laboratory set up at multiple scales, it really grounds you to make sure that whatever you’re doing on paper makes sense.” – Rich Kehn
You can connect with Rich on LinkedIn, here.
Will CFD Ever Replace Experiment?
This week, guest Aaron Sarafinas, Principal of Sarafinas Process & Mixing Consulting LLC, joins John to discuss one loaded question: “Will CFD ever replace experiment?” Aaron, a thought leader in process development and mixing technology, offers the short answer – no – but the longer answer is worth a listen.
In this episode, John and Aaron discuss:
- Real-world examples of how simulation can be used and add value to process development efforts.
- The role of experiment in an increasingly digitized world.
- How CFD complements experiment (and vice versa).
“We have the opportunity to learn something when the experiment fails or it doesn't give us the result we expect, and that's where we can dig deeper. And that's where a tool like CFD can be helpful.” – Aaron Sarafinas
Questions about running CFD simulations? Contact us at mstarcfd.com to join the conversation.
Get in touch with Aaron Sarafinas at aaron@sarafinasprocess.com or visit Sarafinas Process & Mixing Consulting LLC.
About M-Star
M-Star Simulations, LLC, is a software company focused on the development of computational tools for modeling momentum, energy and mass transport within engineering and biological systems. By pairing modern algorithms with graphical processing card (GPU) architectures, this software enables users to quickly perform calculations with predictive fidelity that rivals physical experiment. These outcomes are achieved using a simple graphical interface that requires minimal user specification and setup times. Founded in Maryland in 2014, M-Star Simulations has grown to include commercial, government and academic users across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
Explore M-Star's website here and follow us on LinkedIn here.
Do You Need a PhD to Run CFD?
This week, guest Eric Janz, Faculty of Practice at University of Dayton Innovation Center, joins John to discuss his experience with CFD and address a frequently asked question: Do you need a Ph.D. to run information from a CFD simulation?
In this episode, John and Eric talk about:
- The acceleration of CFD over the past 25 years in industry and academia.
- Traits and skills of successful simulators.
- Advice for people who want to get good at CFD.
“The ability to understand what you're expecting out of the tool helps you inform whether or not you're getting reasonable answers. But I think getting your hands dirty and understanding the tool you're using is important to know what inputs you need to get good answers out.” – Eric Janz
Questions about running CFD simulations? Contact us at mstarcfd.com to join the conversation. Get in touch with Eric Janz on LinkedIn or through the University of Dayton.
About M-Star
M-Star Simulations, LLC, is a software company focused on the development of computational tools for modeling momentum, energy and mass transport within engineering and biological systems. By pairing modern algorithms with graphical processing card (GPU) architectures, this software enables users to quickly perform calculations with predictive fidelity that rivals physical experiment. These outcomes are achieved using a simple graphical interface that requires minimal user specification and setup times. Founded in Maryland in 2014, M-Star Simulations has grown to include commercial, government and academic users across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
Explore M-Star's website here and follow us on LinkedIn here.
Let's Stop Using RANS
This week, guest Johannes Wutz from M-Star Center Europe GmbH joins John to discuss turbulence modeling.
In this episode, John and Johannes answer the questions:
- What is a turbulence model?
- What is RANS and why is it so common?
- What are the alternatives?
- What are the industrial implications of better turbulence modeling?
"If I have to resort to a RANS simulation, I better get ready to cook up some alphabet soup because I'm going to need to parameterize the heck out of this thing to account for the missing physics that are not captured by these approaches.” – John Thomas
Questions about turbulence models? Contact us at mstarcfd.com to join the conversation.
About M-Star
M-Star Simulations, LLC, is a software company focused on the development of computational tools for modeling momentum, energy and mass transport within engineering and biological systems. By pairing modern algorithms with graphical processing card (GPU) architectures, this software enables users to quickly perform calculations with predictive fidelity that rivals physical experiment. These outcomes are achieved using a simple graphical interface that requires minimal user specification and setup times. Founded in Maryland in 2014, M-Star Simulations has grown to include commercial, government and academic users across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
Explore M-Star's website here and follow us on LinkedIn here.
CFD in the Cloud
This week, guest Kevin Smith, M-Star's Director of Software Development, joins John to discuss computational fluid dynamics in the cloud.
In this episode, John and Kevin discuss:
- The history and emergence of cloud-based computing for CFD.
- The sticking points of using GPU instances in the cloud.
- How to get up and running with cloud-based GPU resources and CFD software – fast and frictionless.
“We just want our clients running simulations, adding value to their enterprises, doing good science.” – Kevin Smith
Question about deploying CFD software and GPU resources in the cloud? Contact us at mstarcfd.com to join the conversation.
Learn more about deploying CFD software in the cloud:
About M-Star
M-Star Simulations, LLC, is a software company focused on the development of computational tools for modeling momentum, energy and mass transport within engineering and biological systems. By pairing modern algorithms with graphical processing card (GPU) architectures, this software enables users to quickly perform calculations with predictive fidelity that rivals physical experiment. These outcomes are achieved using a simple graphical interface that requires minimal user specification and setup times. Founded in Maryland in 2014, M-Star Simulations has grown to include commercial, government and academic users across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
Explore M-Star's website here and follow us on LinkedIn here.
What's the Big Deal About GPU Computing?
Welcome to the CFD Mixtape - a brand new podcast from the experts at M-Star CFD! M-Star President John Thomas hosts a weekly discussion about all things CFD. Join him - and periodic special guests - for pressing questions and lively conversations about Computational Fluid Dynamics.
This week, guest Brian DeVincentis, M-Star's Lead Algorithm Developer, joins John to discuss the question, "What's the big deal about GPU computing?"
"It's an exciting area of development and it's going to be neat to see how the hardware ultimately ends up informing the algorithms - and vice versa."
In this episode, John and Brian discuss:
- The differences between CPU and GPU computing.
- What types of algorithms run on GPUs (and what types don't).
- Hardware and software limitations.
What are your thoughts on GPU computing? Contact us at mstarcfd.com to join the conversation.
About M-Star
M-Star Simulations, LLC, is a software company focused on the development of computational tools for modeling momentum, energy and mass transport within engineering and biological systems. By pairing modern algorithms with graphical processing card (GPU) architectures, this software enables users to quickly perform calculations with predictive fidelity that rivals physical experiment. These outcomes are achieved using a simple graphical interface that requires minimal user specification and setup times. Founded in Maryland in 2014, M-Star Simulations has grown to include commercial, government and academic users across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
Explore M-Star's website here and follow us on LinkedIn here.
What Bothers Me About CFD Software Today?
Welcome to the CFD Mixtape - a brand new podcast from the experts at M-Star CFD! M-Star President John Thomas hosts a weekly discussion about all things CFD. Join him - and periodic special guests - for pressing questions and lively conversations about Computational Fluid Dynamics.
This week, we're unpacking the question, "What bothers you about CFD today?"
"If we're still using codes that were developed in the last century, we're not taking advantage of modern technology and pouring that new science and those new innovations into our process simulations."
In this discussion, John explores:
- The problems with traditional CFD software.
- How modern algorithms and architectures are changing what's possible with CFD.
- What the future of CFD software looks like from here.
What irks you about CFD today? What do you wish you could do? Contact us at mstarcfd.com to join the conversation.
About M-Star
M-Star Simulations, LLC, is a software company focused on the development of computational tools for modeling momentum, energy and mass transport within engineering and biological systems. By pairing modern algorithms with graphical processing card (GPU) architectures, this software enables users to quickly perform calculations with predictive fidelity that rivals physical experiment. These outcomes are achieved using a simple graphical interface that requires minimal user specification and setup times. Founded in Maryland in 2014, M-Star Simulations has grown to include commercial, government and academic users across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
Explore M-Star's website here and follow us on LinkedIn here.
CFD Mixtape Teaser
Hey listeners, this is John Thomas, host of the CFD Mixtape and founder and president of M-Star CFD, a software company that develops computational tools for modeling momentum, energy and mass transport within engineering and biological systems. Every week, we have a short conversation about all things computational fluid dynamics. For engineers, researchers and scientists who love to learn, this mixtape is for you. With special guests including experts from academia and industry, we answer listener questions and tackle topics like GPUs, CFD in the cloud and why we should stop using RANS. Have a question you want answered? Join the conversation by sending us a message on LinkedIn or visiting our website at mstarcfd.com. Enjoy the show and thanks for listening!