[CFDFoundation]

OpenFOAM v13 Released - See Full Announcement

The OpenFOAM Foundation is pleased to announce the release of version 13 of the OpenFOAM open source CFD toolbox, produced by CFD Direct. Version 13 includes: a rewrite of mesh zones which can dynamically update and are easier to use and more robust (replacing the lousy topoSet): field-based Lagrangian, a 65% complete, more flexible, extensible and efficient replacement to the existing code; improvements to MULES to guarantee boundedness and accelerate solutions, e.g. in multiphase flows; a rewrite of mass transfer modelling; better visualisation with ParaView working on decomposed cases, foamVTKSeries for animations and improved foamMonitor; several improvements and additions for multi-region simulations, case configuration, meshing, function objects, multiphase flows and combustion.

OpenFOAM 13 includes the following highlights.

• Modular Solvers: include deactivating flow, thermophysics and models switches.
• MULES: guarantees boundedness irrespective of iterator convergence.
• Multiphase: significantly accelerated simulations with the multiphaseEuler solver.
• Transport/Thermo: rewritten mass transfer modelling for the multiphaseEuler solver.
• Combustion: improved ignition and flame model for simulation of engines.
• Particles: 65% complete field-based Lagrangian is more flexible, extensible, efficient, …
• Meshes: upgraded mesh generation and coupling of multiple mesh regions.
• Mesh Zones: robust, usable, flexible, and more functional replacement.
• Multi-region Simulation: improved NCC and mesh stitching and mapping.
• Function Objects: improved scalarTransport, add power, reaction rate, cutLayerAverage.
• Models: added propellerDisk models and improved fvFieldSource.
• Boundary Conditions: improved pressure, temperature and mass diffusion conditions.
• Case Configuration: new foamMergeCase tool.
• Visualisation: ParaView can read decomposed cases, foamVTKSeries for animations.
• Cases: new examples for single phase, multiphase, incompressible and compressible flows.
• Other: The foamNewApp script can create starter code for a non-CFD application.
• ~832 code commits, ~150 resolved issues.
• ISO/IEC 14882:2011 (C++14): tested for GCC v5.5+, Clang v16+ (v10+ should also work).

OpenFOAM 13 is packaged for the following platforms:

• Ubuntu Linux: packaged installation for Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 and 25.04;
• Windows: installation using Windows Subsystem for Linux with Ubuntu packs;
• macOS: installation using Canonical Multipass with Ubuntu packs.

The OpenFOAM 13 Source Pack can be compiled on suitable Linux platforms.

Credits

OpenFOAM 13 was produced by CFD Direct: Henry Weller, Will Bainbridge, Chris Greenshields and Aidan Wimshurst.
With contributions from Stanislau Stasheuski, Clemens Gößnitzer, Ronald Lehnigk, Timo Niemi and Mahmoud Gadalla.

Licence

OpenFOAM 13 is distributed under the General Public Licence v3 by the OpenFOAM Foundation.