Considerations in using the CFD technique for study of fluid flow phenomena

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is the numerical solution of fluid motion equations on a digital computer. This technique has been shown to be a promising tool for fluid flow studies. This paper compares the functions and features of some CFD software, based on a study of the literature. The requirements of geometry set-up for the CFD applications are discussed, and an example is included to show that a simple geometry may not be mathematically simple for the CFD application. Measures are recommended to deal with divergence, a common phenomenon in CFD computation, especially for relatively complex geometries. The treatment of these topics incorporates the authors` experience in using the CFD technique to simulate problems in mine ventilation. The results of this study should help novices in using the CFD technique in their respective applications.