Blas Zamora

Improvement in Learning on Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer Courses Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

This paper is concerned with the teaching of fluid mechanics and heat transfer on courses for the industrial engineer degree at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (Spain). In order to improve the engineering education, a pedagogical method that involves project-based learning, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), was applied. The project-based learning works well for mechanical engineering education, since it prepares students for their later professional training. The courses combined applied and advanced concepts of fluid mechanics with the basic numerical aspects of CFD, including validation of the results obtained. In this approach, the physical understanding of practical problems of fluid mechanics and heat transfer played an important role. Satisfactory numerical results were obtained by using both Phoenics and Fluent finite-volume codes. Some cases were solved using the well known Matlab software. Comparisons were made between the results obtained by analytical solutions (if any) with those reached by CFD general-purpose codes and with those obtained by Matlab. This system provides engineering students with a solid comprehension of several aspects of thermal and fluids engineering.

Enseñanza de Temas Avanzados de Mecánica de Fluidos usando Dinámica de Fluidos Computacional

The experience gained in a course on Selected Topics of Fluid Mechanics course for the Industrial Engineer degree, Polytechnic University of Cartagena-Spain employing numerical techniques as a motivating element for students. The mean objectives of the course are to provide an understanding of the analytical methods employed for selected topics in Fluid Mechanics and to bring a familiarity with some experimental and numerical techniques. To improve teaching-learning a pedagogical method based on Problem-Solving Based Learning is applied, using Computational Fluid Dynamics. As a result, the motivation and the theoretical and technical abilities of the students have been improved. It can be concluded that now the method is efficient and has increase the satisfaction degree of the students.

CFD Modeling of Legionella's Atmospheric Dispersion in the Explosive Outbreak in Murcia, Spain

ABSTRACT Cooling towers, among other equipment, could have an important atmospheric impact, becoming a source of pollutants or biological agents. The most important, due to its frequency and importance of the outbreaks, is Legionella. Since its discovery in 1976 in Philadelphia, PA, several outbreaks have been reported causing tens of deaths. The most important one took place in the city of Murcia, Spain, in 2001, with more than 600 cases. In the present work, a validated numerical model using the computational fluid dynamics code ANSYS Fluent is employed to simulate the dispersion of the drift from the cooling tower causative of the outbreak in the urban environment of Murcia in the days of highest emissions. The results of the model are compared with the results of the epidemiological investigation carried out by the Epidemiology Service (Consejería de Sanidad, Murcia, Spain). The main objective of this model is to predict a cooling tower influence area, and what will help to reduce environmental and personal impact in case of an infection of its water or to improve the resources used to find the focus of infection after an outbreak has taken place. The model was previously validated using data from an experimental cooling tower installation.