I am interested in finding a software (free or relatively inexpensive, less than $1000) that you can bring 3D cad models and simulate typical aerodynamic test. The system is a pipe that has verying diameters and inside this pipe has a swirling-effect blades and chambers. The software would have to take 3D models and able to simulate airflow patters and tell me pressure points/gradients, velocity, reynolds numbers and so on. I am a mechanical engineer but have zero experience in professional fluid dynamics.

What I want to do is to design and build this pipe with swirl creating elements inside. Test with smoke or those gases used in aerodynamic wind tunnels, but I want to do this in software and see the simulation results.

Please help

have a look at

http://www.raczynski.com/

If you are in academics try

www.nabla.co.uk

Best of Luck

Apurva