Anybody here used Flowmaster? The idea of a 1D CFD seems a bit over simplified, but it might be ok for initial component sizing and such. Any ideas, comments, experiences? Thanks.
We worked on the simulation of a cooling system simulation for design/optimization purposes.
We tried the "Kuli" software for the same purpose, but soon it cameout that written in house simulation code was more reasuble, manageble, and simple.
It was written in Matlab/Simulink, and from those host program we borrow the time solution and sevral built in functions (n-dimensional interpolation, data analisys and so on).
At the end we bridged the more expensive CFD codes writing a finite difference model of radiator components code which uses and couples with CFD code (Star CCM+).
I understand that it is far more expensive than equivalent software such as AFT's Fathom (steady state, heat transfer, extended period simulation, goal seeking, cost control) and Impulse (steady state & transient analysis).
AFTs products are not node locked like Flowmaster. Demo programs are available to allow you customers to read files. Also support is fantastic.