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SINDA/FLUINT (Ref 1, 2) is a computer program used to analyze thermal/Fluid systems that can be represented in finite difference, finite element, or lumped parameter form. In addition to conduction and radiation heat transfer, the program is capable of modeling steady or unsteady single- and two-phase flow networks, their associated hardware, and their heat transfer processes. Because it is generalized, versatile, and user-extensible, SINDA/FLUINT is a standard in the aerospace industry for modeling thermal control systems. It is also used in the automotive, aircraft, electronics, petrochemical, HVACR (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration), and process industries. C&R's SinapsPlus™ (Ref 3), a replacement for SINAPS, is a complete graphical user interface to SINDA/FLUINT. SinapsPlus is a schematic-oriented pre- and postprocessor that brings modern visualization methods to a simulation code that lacks geometric constraints.

This paper discusses the design and implementation of an interactive graphic modeling system for finite difference thermal analysis. It reviews the current state of affairs with respect to finite element modeling systems and then presents the requirements for a new modeling system. Progress towards a finite difference modeling system is also reviewed.