CFD Comparision

Elevated Analytics Consulting is helping promote safe, low-emission flares 
Case Study – LES can improve Flame Predictions over RANS CFD 

EvA has decades of experience using CFD to model flares. These CFD models are used to predict various characteristics of the flare including combustion efficiency and safety. One of the important safety factors for both personnel and equipment near flares is the radiation heat transfer coming from the flare. As reported recently in Hydrocarbon Engineering (Withstanding the Wind), EvA has demonstrated significant improvements in radiation predictions using our latest LES code, C3d, when compared to standard RANS CFD codes. The following table (see Table 1) shows comparisons of radiation test data with two CFD predictions, one from our C3d (LES) code and one from a typical RANS CFD code. 

CFD WORK

Safe Operation of Adjacent Multi-Point Ground Flares: Predicted and Measured Flame Radiation in Cross Flow Wind Conditions 

Low profile Multi-Point Ground flares (MPGF) represent a special class of flares capable of safely processing significant quantities of flare gas in an environmentally responsible fashion. A detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of several low-profile multi-point ground flares (Fig 1) was developed. The large flare system included an Ethylene MPGF (756 tips/4.1MM lb/hr/22 Ave MW), a Low Density Polyethylene MPGF (115 tips/500,000 lb/hr/28 Ave MW) and a Linear Low Density Polyethylene MPGF (80 tips/280,000 lb/hr/32 Ave MW). Flare radiation to the surrounding wind fence and subsequent re-radiation to nearby structures and plant personnel was analyzed (see Fig 2). Estimate potential over-pressure levels due to ignition delay was estimated (see Fig 3). Previous validation (see Fig 4) of the CFD tool confirmed accuracy of model predictions. More details of this study were published in Hydrocarbon Engineering (Smith et.al., October, 2016)*. 

GENEVA NITROGEN

Noise reduction at a petrochemical facility 

A chemical plant was experiencing excessive noise which in turn was causing numerous problems with plant neighbors. Working with plant personnel, EvA Engineers modeled the system and as an urgent first task, corrected the flow distribution problems.
Follow-on analysis indicated that the reactor itself was producing the noise via a Riejke-tube phenomenon. Instead of an expensive reactor redesign, SAS recommended the installation of a Helmholtz resonator in the exhaust stack – tuned to the frequency of the reactor noise. Our engineers accomplished the design and fabrication of the stack replacement and was on-site to oversee the installation. At start-up, noise levels were reduced by over 20 dB – and concerns from plant neighbors were eliminated. 

INTERDRONE CONFERENCE

InterDrone Conference in Las Vegas, NV

September 5 - 7, 2018 

Interdrone is an annual international drone conference which gathers members of the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) community into a single location to discuss and display advances in the UAS industry. This conference is held in Las Vegas, NV and typically has representation from 55 countries, 185 companies in the exhibit hall, with more than 120 presentations, classes, workshops, and expert panels. Elevated Air and FirstIZ, uses this and other conferences to introduce our combined capabilities to the public. In 2018 we demonstrated our technological advances at booth 906 at the Interdrone conference, giving a theater presentation about our mobile air quality sensing technology. Pat Keegan, Joseph Smith, Robert Jackson, and Zach Smith represented Elevated Air and FirstIZ..