SimScale’s thermal simulation software component enables you to perform both thermomechanical and heat transfer analyses. The Heat Transfer module takes into account the energy balance of the studied systems. When investigating thermomechanical components, the effects of thermal loads on solids, causing structural deformations, can also be included. For many industrial applications, simulating the stress response to thermal loads and failure is essential. Applications are polymeric materials, valves, pipes, basket strainers, PCB, pressure vessels and more.
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The Heat Transfer solver of the SimScale simulation platform allows you to simulate coupled heat transfers in fluids — merely through convection — and heat transfer in solids — with conduction. The analysis parameters are determined by the type of fluid convection such as natural, mixed or forced convection. Some of the areas in which it can be used are heat sink design, electronics cooling, heat exchangers, automotive thermal management, nuclear reactors and beer brewing.
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Conduction refers to a heat transfer between substances that are in direct contact with each other. In theory, heat energy passes from the hot to the cold end of the substance and is directly related to the conductivity of the material. The SimScale thermal simulation software offers a module for various types of applications where heat and energy are significant study parameters. You can simulate the conducting behavior between different materials and can consider their temperature-dependent conductivity. Examples include car brakes, CFL, heat sinks, aluminum casing, worm gearboxes, and more.
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Convection (also known as convective heat transfer) refers to the transfer of heat between two areas, through the movement of fluids. Common in liquids and gases, it occurs when fluid molecules absorb heat, leading to convection currents. The thermal simulation component of the SimScale computer-aided engineering platform provides you with the features for simulating problems that are hard to predict. The applications of convection are numerous and include LED heat sinks, light bulbs, electronics cooling, refrigerators or indoor cooling.
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Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. In product design, radiation usually starts to play a role for high temperatures. A well-heated part releases its energy to the ambient environment in form of radiation. The emissivity value depends on the surface type. Radiation can therefore be used to analyze a heat loss in high-temperature components. SimScale supports thermal analysis for surface to ambient radiation, common in a wide range of applications, including the investigation of spotlights, metal forming, laser beam welding, bulb filaments and thermophotovoltaic cells.
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I have used a lot of simulation packages over the past 25 years, including Nastran, Ansys, SolidWorks, and a whole host of others. I have been using SimScale for about nine months now and it has become my goto simulation tool. It allows me to run models larger than I have ever conceived on my own workstation.
Mechanical Engineer at MSA, United States
