CFD Problems for Mathematics Students using Finite Difference Method
1. Heat Conduction in a Rod
Question: A rod of length L = 1 m and thermal conductivity k = 50 W/mK is subjected to a
uniform heat source at one end and is insulated at the other end. The initial temperature
along the rod is T0 = 20°C. At the left end of the rod, the temperature is fixed at TL = 100°C,
and the right end is insulated.
• Derive the governing equation for the temperature distribution T(x,t) in the rod.
• Use the Finite Difference Method to solve the temperature distribution at x = 0.5 m
for t = 10 s, assuming the thermal diffusivity α = 0.01 m²/s.
• Provide the numerical solution for T(0.5, 10) using appropriate boundary conditions
and a spatial step Δx = 0.1 m and a time step Δt = 0.01 s.
2. One-Dimensional Diffusion in a Pipe
Question: A one-dimensional flow of fluid through a pipe of length L = 5 m has a constant
diffusion coefficient D = 0.5 m²/s. The initial concentration of the pollutant is uniform at C0 =
0 mol/m³, and the concentration at both ends of the pipe is maintained at zero.
• Write the governing equation for pollutant concentration C(x,t) in the pipe.
• Solve for the concentration at x = 2.5 m and t = 5 seconds using the Finite Difference
Method with a spatial step Δx = 0.5 m and time step Δt = 0.1 s.
3. Temperature Distribution in a Two-Dimensional Plate
Question: A thin rectangular plate of dimensions Lx = 2 m and Ly = 1 m is subjected to a
uniform heat source of Q = 100 W/m² on its surface. The initial temperature is uniform at
T0 = 20°C. The temperature at the edges of the plate is maintained at T_edge = 100°C.
• Derive the heat conduction equation for temperature distribution T(x, y, t).
• Use the Finite Difference Method to solve for T(1, 0.5, t) at t = 5 seconds, assuming
the thermal diffusivity α = 0.02 m²/s and grid sizes Δx = 0.5 m and Δy = 0.5 m.
4. Fluid Flow in a Channel (Incompressible)
Question: Consider a steady-state, incompressible flow through a rectangular channel with a
width Lx = 3 m and height Ly = 1 m. The velocity field in the channel is governed by the
incompressible Navier-Stokes equation, simplified to the Poisson equation for velocity:
∂²u/∂x² + ∂²u/∂y² = 0, where u(x,y) is the velocity along the channel.
• Derive the Finite Difference approximation for the velocity field u(x,y).
• Solve for u(1, 0.5) using a grid size of Δx = 0.5 m and Δy = 0.5 m under the boundary
conditions of no-slip at the channel walls.
5. Heat Conduction with Phase Change
Question: Consider a one-dimensional material undergoing phase change (e.g., melting) at
T_melt = 50°C. The material is heated from one end while the other end is insulated. The
thermal conductivity k = 100 W/mK, latent heat L = 200 kJ/kg, and initial temperature T0 =
20°C are known.
• Write the governing equation for heat conduction with phase change.
• Use the Finite Difference Method to solve for the temperature at x = 0.5 m at t = 10
seconds, assuming α = 0.02 m²/s and using a spatial step Δx = 0.1 m and time step Δt
= 0.01 s.
6. Pollutant Dispersion in Air (Wind Tunnel)
Question: Consider a wind tunnel where a pollutant is released at x = 0 and spreads in the
flow direction. The wind speed is u = 2 m/s, and the diffusion coefficient is D = 0.1 m²/s. The
initial concentration at x = 0 is C0 = 10 mol/m³, and the concentration at the tunnel walls is
zero.
• Write the advection-diffusion equation governing the concentration C(x,t).
• Solve for C(2, 5) using the Finite Difference Method with spatial step Δx = 0.5 m and
time step Δt = 1 s.
7. Two-Dimensional Heat Transfer in a Cylinder
Question: A cylindrical object of radius R = 1 m and length L = 2 m is subjected to a constant
heat source inside. The temperature at the ends is maintained at T_end = 100°C, and the
lateral surface is insulated.
• Derive the governing equation for heat conduction in cylindrical coordinates.
• Use the Finite Difference Method to solve for the temperature at r = 0.5 m and z = 1
m, assuming α = 0.02 m²/s and appropriate grid sizes Δr = 0.1 m and Δz = 0.1 m.
8. Transient Heat Conduction in a 3D Cube
Question: Solve for the temperature distribution T(x,y,z,t) in a cube with side length L = 1 m,
initially at T0 = 20°C. The cube is subjected to a heat source of Q = 100 W/m³ and the
temperature at the boundary is maintained at T_boundary = 100°C.
• Write the governing equation for transient heat conduction in 3D.
• Use the Finite Difference Method to find the temperature at x = 0.5 m, y = 0.5 m, z =
0.5 m at t = 10 seconds, using grid sizes Δx = 0.1 m, Δy = 0.1 m, Δz = 0.1 m, and a time
step Δt = 0.1 s.
