Verification of Density Based Solver in OpenFOAM for High-Speed Inviscid Compressible Flow Analysis

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Published: Sep 16, 2025
Keywords:
Shock wave High-speed flow CFD OpenFOAM

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P. Kamma
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand /Laboratory of Computer Mechanics for Design (LCMD), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
K. Loksupapaiboon
Department of Maritime Engineering, Faculty of International Maritime Studies, Kasetsart University Sriracha Campus, Chonburi 20230, Thailand/Laboratory of Computer Mechanics for Design (LCMD), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
J. Phromjan
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, Thailand/ Laboratory of Computer Mechanics for Design (LCMD), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
C. Suvanjumrat
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand/Laboratory of Computer Mechanics for Design (LCMD), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has become essential for modeling and analyzing high-speed compressible flows around complex geometries. However, the utility of this tool is compromised if it is unreliable. This study examines the performance of RhoCentralFoam, a density-based solver in the open-source CFD software OpenFOAM, which utilizes the Kurganov-Noelle-Petrova (KNP) central upwind scheme for numerical flux calculations. RhoCentralFoam was validated by comparing its results against reliable analytical solutions and experimental data across various Mach numbers (Ma). The solver demonstrated an average error margin of less than 2% and performed effectively within the determined Ma range, depending on the geometrical model. Furthermore, the Van Albada and SFCD schemes exhibited no significant differences and were implemented without inducing instabilities in shock wave simulations. These findings confirm that RhoCentralFoam is a reliable CFD tool for simulating high-speed compressible flow phenomena, offering significant potential for future research and practical applications.

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How to Cite
Kamma, P., Loksupapaiboon, K., Phromjan, J., & Suvanjumrat, C. (2025). Verification of Density Based Solver in OpenFOAM for High-Speed Inviscid Compressible Flow Analysis. Journal of Research and Applications in Mechanical Engineering, 13(3), JRAME–25. retrieved from https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jrame/article/view/257949
Issue
Vol. 13 No. 3 (2025)
Section
RESEARCH ARTICLES
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