Efficient modelling of quenching processes for automotive components via CFD

SWERIM (Former Swerea) and RISE (former IVF) in cooperation with Scania have performed extensive simulations and dedicated measurements for the automotive industry including modelling of quenching processes in water, oil and gas as well as validation via a series of velocity measurements to investigate the influence of flow dynamics on the heat transfer and consequently on distortion of steel components.

The present work describes the development of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models to simulate the flow in tanks or gas chambers for quenching of automotive components such as gears and shafts. Frequently, the equipment layout and design of the components is complex and require simplification to make possible parametric studies. Additionally, information regarding forced convection via pumps or impeller performance as well as the overall process conditions are difficult to define without undesirable production stops. Therefore, the modelling approach needs to simplify the inputs with a minimum of well-designed validation points. The focus of the presented work is on the methodology able to create process models accurate enough to predict real phenomena but also sustainable in terms of time, cost, computational power and ease of use.