CFD Comparision

Elevated Analytics 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 year the conference ran from September 6-8 in Las Vegas, NV with representation from 55 countries, 185 companies were in the exhibit hall, and over 120 presentations, classes, workshops, and expert panels were held. Elevated Analytics, in partnership with Brewer Science, utilized Interdrone to introduce our company and our capabilities to the public. We participated in each aspect of the conference by demonstrating and discussing our technological advances at booth 906 in the exhibit hall, giving a theater presentation about our air quality sensing technology, and attending classes to increase our expertise in the industry. Pat Keegan, Joseph Smith, Robert Jackson, Steve Rusakiewicz, Taber Wilson, and Zach Smith represented Air Stations/Elevated Analytics while Ryan Giedd and Robert Frueh represented Brewer Science.