Environment & energy

CFD modeling for projects of the energy and environment sector

Fluids are omnipresent in energy production: as heat transfer fluids in industrial boilers for thermal or nuclear power plants, as a source of hydraulic energy converted into electricity by dams and tidal turbines, or even for electricity storage in fuel cells. It is therefore natural for CFD to find a place of choice within this ecosystem.

Similarly, environmental issues are a growing concern for manufacturers. Whether for eco-design, energy efficiency or technological risk assessment, but also for wastewater management or optimization of renewable energy production resources, numerous levers are available through Computational Fluid Dynamics.

OptiFluides has carried out numerous projects in this sector, developing cutting-edge skills and now boasts recognized expertise.

Here are a few examples of the main applications of CFD simulation in the energy and environment sector.

Wind farms

• Wind turbine performance: CFD simulation can be used to model air flows in complex environments, particularly for wind farms. Applications range from quantifying risks during storage, transport, installation or shutdown, to characterizing interference between wind turbines, such as the galloping effect.
• Improving blade design: Optimizing blade design is another application, as is the simulation of aeroelastic instabilities generated by atmospheric turbulence, both to increase wind energy production and the service life of these components.
• Study of topographical effects: Simulation can be used to analyze the impact of terrain topography, such as hills, mountains or even vegetation cover, on the incident wind profile and hence on wind turbine performance.

Power plants

• Optimization for hydroelectric dams: In order to optimize the production of hydroelectric dams, or to quantify the impact of a structural modification or an upstream obstacle on the flow, modeling provides quantitative answers to the day-to-day challenges faced by dam operators. It is also possible to anticipate and reduce overspeed and cavitation phenomena, in order to limit wear and maintenance requirements.
• Simulation of cooling systems: In thermal and nuclear power plants, CFD is used to optimize cooling systems and prevent reactors and other equipment from overheating. It also helps to reduce water consumption and control the impact of effluents on the environment. For many years now, OptiFluides has been carrying out advanced simulations on the next generation of cooling towers for the nuclear industry.
• Thermohydraulics: the operation of nuclear reactors requires water flows at very high temperatures, under pressure and with phase change. Simulation can be used to predict these flows and, for example, their impact on the thermomechanical fatigue of components, their stability or their evolution with different reactor operating regimes.

Wastewater treatment

• Flow and effluent control: To ensure that new water treatment and purification plants are capable of handling peak flows, CFD simulation can be used to calculate the load and head of water at any point in the circuit, or to precisely characterize the flow coefficients of weirs, overflows, or head loss coefficients in the various connections between treatment units.
• Decanter optimization: decanter operation relies on low, homogeneous fluid velocities to allow sedimentation of the particles to be separated. CFD simulation enables precise characterization of the velocity field at any point in the system, in order to validate correct system operation.

Reducing the environmental impact of industrial systems

• Atmospheric dispersion of pollutants: the atmospheric dispersion of pollutants from industrial facilities is a major challenge in ensuring air quality for surrounding populations. Simulation enables us to determine precisely how gases and particles are transported through the air by different meteorological conditions, and to propose strategies for limiting their impact.
• Controlling incinerator emissions: CFD simulations can be used to optimize the combustion process in waste incinerators, minimizing emissions of greenhouse gases and particulate pollutants, or to optimize the design of flue gas exhaust stacks.
• Carbon capture and storage: carbon capture and storage systems, a major challenge for industry, can be simulated and improved using our models: simulating CO₂ flows through chemical reactors and pipelines, optimizing processes for capturing, transporting and storing carbon dioxide in geological formations.

Energy storage

• Batteries and thermal storage systems: The design and, in particular, thermal management of energy storage systems represents a major challenge for the energy transition, to which simulation offers answers, enabling better temperature control, avoiding hot spots and maximizing battery life.
• Hydrogen storage systems: CFD is also used to simulate flows and reactions in hydrogen storage systems, particularly for pressure vessel or cryogenic storage systems.

Conclusion

CFD simulation is a strategic tool in the energy and environment sectors. It helps optimize plant performance, reduce costs and limit the environmental impact of energy systems. By accurately modeling fluid flows, heat transfers and complex interactions, OptiFluides helps companies innovate, improve the efficiency of their systems and meet the challenges of the energy transition.

Find out more about our projects and contact us to discuss your needs!