The power of CFD to analyze the flow field and temperature distribution inside a convection oven is illustrated in this example. The simulation shows that the temperature on the cookie sheets is uneven with the current fan and heating coil design. FLUENT software could be used to redesign the internal components of the oven to achieve more uniform heating. Numerical tests such as these would be more cost effective than expensive laboratory tests.

The internal components of the oven

Surface mesh on some of the oven parts

Grid detail on the fan and heating coil

Contours of heat flux on the cookie sheets

Pathlines for the oven flow field