Drying Process Simulation

Category: 熱解析 | Integrated 2026-04-06
CAE visualization for drying process theory - technical simulation diagram
乾燥プロセスシミュレーション

Theory and Physics

Overview

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Teacher! Today's topic is about drying process simulation, right? What is it like?


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It's about the time variation of temperature and moisture content in hot air drying and vacuum drying. It's a coupled analysis of heat and mass transfer.




Governing Equations




$$ \dot{m} = h_m A (\omega_s - \omega_\infty) $$
$$ q = \dot{m} L_v + h A (T_s - T_\infty) $$



🧑‍🎓

So, if you cut corners in the drying process simulation part, you'll face painful consequences later. I'll keep that in mind!


Discretization Method

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How do you actually solve these equations on a computer?


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We use spatial discretization by the Finite Element Method (FEM). We assemble the element stiffness matrix and construct the global stiffness equation.


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We perform transformation to the weak form (variational form) and use formulation by the Galerkin method using test functions and shape functions. The choice of element type (low-order elements vs. higher-order elements, full integration vs. reduced integration) directly affects the trade-off between solution accuracy and computational cost.




Matrix Solution Algorithms

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What exactly are matrix solution algorithms?


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We solve the simultaneous equations using direct methods (LU decomposition, Cholesky decomposition) or iterative methods (CG method, GMRES method). For large-scale problems, preconditioned iterative methods are effective.



SolverClassificationMemory UsageApplicable Scale
LU decompositionDirect MethodO(n²)Small to Medium Scale
Cholesky decompositionDirect Method (Symmetric Positive Definite)O(n²)Small to Medium Scale
PCG MethodIterative MethodO(n)Large Scale
GMRES methodIterative MethodO(n·m)Large Scale / Non-symmetric
AMG PreconditionerPreprocessingO(n)Very Large Scale
🧑‍🎓

So, if you cut corners in the finite element method part, you'll face painful consequences later. I'll keep that in mind!


Implementation in Commercial Tools

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So, what software can be used to do drying process simulation?


Tool NameDeveloper/CurrentMain File Formats
Ansys FluentAnsys Inc..cas, .dat, .msh, .jou
Simcenter STAR-CCM+Siemens Digital Industries Software.sim, .java, .csv
Abaqus FEA (SIMULIA)Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA.inp, .odb, .cae, .sta, .msg
Ansys Mechanical (formerly ANSYS Structural)Ansys Inc..cdb, .rst, .db, .ans, .mac
COMSOL MultiphysicsCOMSOL AB.mph

Vendor Lineage and Product Integration History

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Are the origins of each software quite dramatic?



Ansys Fluent

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Next is the story about Ansys Fluent. What's it about?


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Developed by Fluent Inc. Acquired by Ansys in 2006. A general-purpose CFD solver based on unstructured grids.

Current Affiliation: Ansys Inc.



Simcenter STAR-CCM+

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Next is the story about Simcenter STAR. What's it about?


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Developed by CD-adapco. Acquired by Siemens in 2016 and integrated into the Simcenter brand. Polyhedral mesh is a key feature.

Current Affiliation: Siemens Digital Industries Software


🧑‍🎓

After hearing this far, I finally understand why development is so important!



Abaqus FEA (SIMULIA)

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What exactly is Abaqus FEA?


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Developed in 1978 by HKS (Hibbitt, Karlsson & Sorensen). Acquired by Dassault Systèmes in 2005 and integrated into the SIMULIA brand.

Current Affiliation: Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA


🧑‍🎓

Wow, the story of development is super interesting! Please tell me more.


File Formats and Interoperability

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Are there any points to note when transferring data between different software?


FormatExtensionTypeOverview
STEP.stp/.stepNeutral CAD3D CAD data exchange format compliant with ISO 10303. Supports geometry + PMI.
IGES.igs/.igesNeutral CADEarly CAD data exchange standard. Has issues with surface data compatibility. Transition to STEP is progressing.
CGNS.cgnsCFD DataCFD General Notation System. Standard exchange format for CFD results.
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When using different soft

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