# Designing Tomorrow's Vehicle HVAC Systems

How Acoustic Simulation at BMW is Critical for Engineering Quiet Passenger Cabins

 ![BMW PowerFLOW Simulation](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2021-03/bmw1920x1080powerflow.jpg)

[   Watch the video
 3 minutes  ](https://youtu.be/ioEtAn7QEaY)

[   Download the case study     ](/media/1835)

Challenge

BMW needed to design a vehicle HVAC system that balanced acoustic comfort with effective performance.

 We were looking for a simulation tool to help us with the analysis of the HVAC system,” he says. “And so we came across [SIMULIA PowerFLOW](https://www.3ds.com/products-services/simulia/products/powerflow/applications/climate-control/hvac-system-performance), and it was the only tool that could provide us with a solution in the timeframe we had….PowerFLOW was the only viable solution.

Dr. Jan Biermann

Expert for the Development of Overall Vehicle Noise, Vibration and Harshness, BMW

Solution

BMW used SIMULIA PowerFLOW to investigate how noise levels could be lowered without sacrificing defrost performance.

Benefits

Using PowerFLOW, BMW demonstrated a successful method of optimizing both acoustics and design performance, achieving a 6 to 13 db(A) Overall Sound Pressure Level improvement.

Continue the Conversation!

[Join the Modeling and Simulation Community](https://www.3ds.com/products-services/simulia/communities/modsim/) to watch a [recording of the BMW presentation](https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/#community:NW2ka9hPSeGtBpFUAtPUcQ/post:ajH_uUdQTkOg7oQgGPCU9w) from the 2020 Global **3D**EXPERIENCE Modeling and Simulation Virtual event.