Altair Flow Simulator 2024.1 Release Notes

New Features

Change Element and Resistor Connections in the Property Editor
The upstream and downstream connections for flow elements and thermal resistors can now be modified in the Property Editor. This is especially helpful for changing many connections at one time using multi-edit. Change the connections for thermal resistors to a flow chamber by using the flow chamber number followed by a “C”. For example, connect a convector to flow chamber 5 by typing “5C” in the Property Editor.

Association Line Display Control
Association line display can now be toggled on or off to help with model visualization. There are four types of association lines that can be toggled.
1. Associated Lines: Lines from thermal nodes to tube element symbols (new in 2024.1).
2. Controller Lines: Lines from the controller symbol to gauge and manipulated items (chambers, elements, thermal nodes, and resistors).
3. Group Lines: Lines from the group block to any item or other group block that has a connection with any item in the group.
4. Electric Motor Lines: Lines from the electric motor component symbol to the associated thermal nodes (new in 2024.1).

Heat Transfer Coefficient Improvements
Improvements to the heat transfer coefficients used by thermal convectors include:
1. New flat plate correlation that includes equations for laminar Re, turbulent Re, local or average HTC, and free HTC blending.
2. New correlation for a turbulated tube. It uses the same correlation for a turbulated surface that was added to the advanced and incompressible tube in the 2024 release.
3. Added an option to include swirl in the velocity calculation for the Gnielinski Combo duct flow correlation.
4. Added an option to include the total velocity or velocity components (axial, radial, tangential) for a body in crossflow correlation.

Added Automatic Flow Equation Option
The valve element and the expansion/contraction elements now have an “Automatic” flow equation type. This allows the element to automatically use the compressible equations if a gas is entering the element and incompressible equations if a liquid is entering the element.

Add New Unit Set Checks during Model Open
The GUI now checks if the unit set saved in a .flo file already exists in your unit set library (saved in the AppData\Local\Altair\FlowSimulator folder). If a unit set with the same name is found, the GUI checks each Unit Quantity. If there are discrepancies between a Unit Quantity, you are prompted to make a choice.
Copy Items from One GUI Instance to Another
The GUI can now copy flow chambers and elements from one GUI instance to another. Thermal items can’t be copied using this method. The element and chamber numbers do not remain the same when copied. Do not copy an element without including its upstream and downstream chambers in the selection.

Flow Simulator is a 3D design tool that provides interdisciplinary modeling and optimization for fluid and thermal systems within a CAD-integrated environment. System-level design has become increasingly critical as organizations are tasked with simulating complex duty cycles. Fast software solutions like Flow Simulator are needed to model an entire system, including rapid iteration concept modeling and understanding of system simulation and system behavior in applications such as rotating machinery design, electromobility, wind turbines, heat exchangers, and virtually anything that encompasses thermal management. Flow Simulator was originally developed by GE Aviation to serve as a fast flow network simulator for aircraft engines – simulating how an entire flight cycle would behave in the real world, from runway and take off to flight and landing. Since its inception, it has been used to simplify modeling for a variety of complex thermal systems applications, including healthcare, locomotives, and renewable energy.

Altair is a global technology company providing software and cloud solutions in the areas of simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), and artificial intelligence (AI). Altair enables organizations across broad industry segments to compete more effectively in a connected world while creating a more sustainable future.

Owner: Altair
Product Name: Flow Simulator
Version: 2024.1
Supported Architectures: x64
Website Home Page : www.altair.com