Introducing scSTREAM, a powerful computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software designed to provide accurate and efficient simulations of thermal and fluid dynamics. With its structured mesh generation, scSTREAM excels in delivering high-speed calculations, making it ideal for large-scale simulations. Whether you’re analyzing airflow, heat transfer, or exploring various CFD Applications like thermal management, scSTREAM offers comprehensive tools to model complex physical phenomena with precision.analyzing airflow, heat transfer, or thermal management, scSTREAM offers comprehensive tools to model complex physical phenomena with precision. Its user-friendly interface, combined with advanced post-processing capabilities, ensures that even intricate simulations are easy to manage, visualize, and communicate, empowering engineers to optimize designs and make informed decisions with confidence.
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Table of Contents
Features
scSTREAM thermo-fluid (CFD) software has served the electronics and architectural industries for over thirty years, known for its user-friendly interface and high-speed processing. HeatDesigner, built on the core features of scSTREAM, is specifically tailored for thermal applications in electronics. It offers specialized physical functions for thermal design with simple interfaces and powerful computing performance. Together, scSTREAM and HeatDesigner are recognized as leading high-end CFD software solutions in the industry.
Program Structure
Shape Representations
The shape of a geometry model to be analyzed is often represented using the following methods:
- Voxel Method: Inclined and arched faces are represented using cuboids.
- Cut-Cell Method: The shape of a model created with a CAD tool is represented more accurately.
- Finite Element Model Method: A model of arbitrary shape, defined with unstructured mesh, is often overlaid on a model defined with structured mesh, allowing the use of the CAD-created form as is.
Large-scale calculation
In structured mesh, even a complex model requires minimal modification, and the shape or size of the model does not significantly impact mesh generation. Additionally, the solver performs calculations at high speed in parallel computing, achieving efficient processing as the speed increases with the number of subdomains.
Objects in Motion
A flow generated by a moving rigid object can be calculated using scSTREAM. The analysis can include conditions such as the object’s motion (including translation, rotation, and even elastic deformation), heat generation/absorption, and air supply/return. The model of the moving object is generated on a separate mesh, meaning conditions like the distance the object moves are minimally restricted.
6-degree-of-freedom motion (6DOF)
This function can analyze passive translation alongside the rotation of an object influenced by fluid forces. The moving object is assumed to be a rigid body, allowing for calculations of movement with up to six degrees of freedom (3D translation + 3D rotation) within scSTREAM. For example, the function can simulate floating leaves being carried by water flow.
Multiblock
Meshing can be customized according to the user’s preferences. The multiblock function allows users to focus on a specific area of the simulation without affecting surrounding domains. This approach benefits the user by enabling faster calculations and more accurate results.
Discrete element method (DEM)
When multiple phases of objects are involved in a simulation, scSTREAM can easily enable the coupling of fluid flow analysis with particles.
Part library
Frequently used parts can be saved in a Part Library for reuse. The saved part information includes allocation position, material properties, and heat generation.
HeatPathView
To effectively create the heat path, the temperature of all parts and the total amount of heat release obtained from post-processing in a general CFD analysis are not sufficient. HeatPathView displays heat paths and the amount of heat transfer across the entire computational domain in diagrams, graphs, and tables, making it easy to identify bottlenecks in the heat paths.
ElectronicPartsCreator
The tool allows users to create sophisticated models of semiconductor bundles, including QFP, SOP, and BGA, by inputting part parameters. It also supports the creation of simplified models using thermal resistor components, such as DELPHI or two-resistor parts. Semiconductor package manufacturers can provide thermistor models of their packages without disclosing confidential information.
Wiring Patterns Awareness
To thoroughly calculate heat transfer conditions based on the wiring patterns of a printed circuit board (PCB), the module processes Gerber data output from electrical CAD software and imports this data as a model for thermo-fluid analysis. By utilizing Gerber data and considering heat transfer from uneven wiring patterns, scSTREAM can deliver more realistic and accurate calculation results.
Radiation
Diffusion, reflection, transmission, refraction, and absorption of radiation can be modeled in scSTREAM using either the VF (View Factor) method or the FLUX method. The lamp function can also calculate radiant heat from an indoor source without requiring detailed shape information of the lamp. Additionally, laser rays and defective radiation can be set up with a half-value angle to serve as heat sources.
Using structure function from measurement
Electronic equipment modeling is possible in scSTREAM by converting the rate of heat change over time, used in transient heat resistance measurements,* into a structure function (thermal resistance-heat capacity characteristics). A precise thermal model can be simulated by comparing test and analysis results based on the structure’s characteristics.
- The measurement device is not provided.
Electronic part model
A wide range of models are available to easily facilitate the thermal design of printed circuit boards and electronic enclosures, including DELPHI (multi-resistor) models, Peltier devices, and heat pipes. Pressure loss characteristics can be considered using slits, and the P-Q characteristics of fans can be analyzed using swirling components. Generated models can be added to a library for future use.
BIM (Building Information Modeling)
scSTREAM supports BIM 2.0, including Autodesk® Revit® and GRAPHISOFT ARCHICAD, through an optional direct interface plugin. This plugin allows users to select target parts in a structure tree to retain and simplify for Thermal-Fluid Simulation. Additionally, the module can import files in the IFC file format, the BIM-standard format.
Illuminance analysis
scSTREAM can calculate the illuminance of various light sources, such as daylight entering through openings in a building and artificial lighting, while also analyzing their directional characteristics. Surfaces like walls or water can be treated as diffusive reflection surfaces. Architects today are increasingly focused on natural ventilation, as larger openings in a building often lead to greater heat loss. By applying illuminance analysis, the balance between thermal efficiency and illuminance can be observed together.
Air-conditioner parts (CFD parts)
Frequently used model shapes for room air-conditioning, such as ceiling cassettes, anemostats, and linear diffusers, can be imported. The software can also import CFD part data, including air supply characteristics, provided by SHASE*2. Various parameters can be set to simulate air-conditioning operations beyond simple air heating and cooling.
- *2 SHASE: Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan
Solar radiation (ASHRAE, NEDO)
Climate data published by ASHRAE and NEDO is preset and can be used for condition setting. By entering values for longitude, latitude, date, and time, the solar altitude and azimuth angle of the sun at a specified location are automatically calculated. The effect of solar radiation can be examined in detail, with various parameters available for setting, including the absorption and reflectivity of solar radiation, as well as materials that transmit light diffusely, such as frosted glass.
Thermal comfort, heat stress risk & ventilation efficiency indices
Comfort indices PMV and SET* can be derived from already obtained data on temperature, humidity, and Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) as part of the result-processing functions. Additionally, WBGT (heat stress risk indices) and the Scale for Ventilation Efficiency (SVE) can be easily set with a single click, and some indices can be converted to real-time data. The calculation area can also be selectively chosen, such as focusing on one of two rooms.
- *SET: Standard Effective Temperature
Humidity/dew condensation
scSTREAM can perform humidity analysis in the air, including calculations of dew condensation and evaporation on wall surfaces due to temperature changes. It can also track the total amount of dew condensation and the rate of evaporation over time. The software supports the behavior of moisture transfer within a solid mass, allowing for the observation of permeable objects and dew condensation inside them.
Plant Canopy Model (flow & heat)
Green areas, such as plant canopies, influence the wind environment. Air resistance caused by plant canopies can be simulated by setting the friction coefficient and inputting the leaf area density. For commonly used plants like oak, standard properties are preset as default recommended values. The software also simulates the latent heat of vaporization on leaf surfaces by using fixed temperatures and setting the quantity of absorbed heat. This function can be applied to outdoor analyses, wind environment studies, and heat island effect assessments.
Windtool (Outdoor Wind Environment Assessment Tool)
This function aids in evaluating the outdoor wind environment. The assessment criteria can be chosen from those suggested by Murakami et al. and the Wind Engineering Institute. By setting a base shape and the properties required for wind environment evaluation, the parameters for 16 directions are sequentially calculated, and the wind environment is automatically classified. Detailed distributions of airflow and pressure for each direction can be represented in the Post-Processor.
Electrostatic field
In addition to fluid force, the effect of an electrostatic field, which applies external force to charged particles, can be considered. By setting the electric charge of particles and the electric potential of a wall surface, this function can be used for analyses to control the area of electrostatic coating. The velocity at which charged particles do not adhere to a wall surface can also be examined using this function.
Mapping
When the target simulation area is small and the phenomenon is significantly influenced by a wide range of its environment, the analysis results of the surrounding area can be used as boundary conditions for the focused area, thereby minimizing the calculation load. For example, when analyzing only the inside of a closed space for an electronic device that is highly affected by its environment, the analysis results of the outside can be applied as boundary conditions.
Flow of Foaming resinapping
scSTREAM can simulate the process of filling a model with foaming resin, which is used as a heat insulator for residential properties and appliances like refrigerators. The software models this phenomenon in 3D, allowing for the observation of filling speed, pressure, and the injection area of the resin. This simulation provides detailed results in a much shorter time compared to conducting actual experiments.
Free Surface
scSTREAM can calculate the shape of the interface between gas and liquid phases by applying either the MARS or VOF method. The calculation can be performed on both gas and liquid phases or on just one of them. This function is beneficial across a wide range of technical fields, from tsunami analysis in civil engineering and construction to soldering phenomena in electronics.
Solidification / Melting
The phase transformation between fluid and solid phases, such as water to ice and ice to water, can be simulated in scSTREAM. The following behaviors related to solidification and melting can be calculated: flow changes affected by solidified regions, changes in melting speed due to flow conditions, and latent heat at the melting point. For example, the process of water transforming into ice in an ice maker can be observed using this function.
Boiling / Condensation (Bubble nucleation, Bubble growth, Condensation)
This feature allows users to perform boiling flow analysis, a gas-liquid two-phase flow caused by thermal differences between a liquid and a heating surface. Boiling flow is calculated as a free surface analysis using the MARS method, and latent heat generation and volume transformation, dependent on bubble growth and condensation, are analyzed using the phase transformation model.
Particle Tracking
The software can simulate particle phenomena based on their characteristics—such as particle size, density, and sedimentation speed—and the interactions between particles and fluids. This includes sedimentation due to gravity, inertial forces acting on mass particles, motion caused by electrostatic forces, liquefaction upon adhering to a wall surface, evaporation and latent heat, and phenomena like bubbles in a liquid for electrically charged particles.
Particle TracPanel (heat conduction / transfer / thermal transport)
Material properties and motion features can be applied to a panel without thickness in simulation, enabling heat conduction to surrounding parts and heat dissipation into the air. This functionality allows users to simulate processes such as paper feeding and film drying, where thin objects move and undergo repetitive heating.
