Issue link: https://resources.randsim.com/i/1449471
About Rand Simulation Rand Simulation is focused on helping organizations bring their product vision to reality through incorporating engineering simulation technology into the product development process. Rand Simulation caters to product development organizations looking to compress the design process, maximize innovation, strengthen competitive differentiation and grow bottom-line profitability. Rand Simulation serves as both a North American reseller of Ansys engineering simulation software and as a trusted design consultant offering insights gained on over 3,000 design projects using engineering analysis software to balance design performance with size, cost, DFM and aesthetics. E L I T E C H A N N E L PA R T N E R simulation@rand.com | RandSIM.com | 888.483.0674 "It was a highly collaborative effort," said the plant manager. "We had several calls a week and both sides would throw in suggestions for improvement as we saw the models evolve. The Rand Simulation team acted as a true partner and pushed us to get the information they needed and spent a lot of time to get us to where we wanted to be. They pushed forward towards the goal as hard as we did." Rand Simulation studied airflow patterns beneath the ACC units and identified adverse flow patterns that could affect ACC performance. They also assessed the conditions that promoted hot air re-ingestion into ACC units and confirmed warm air entrainment into the gas turbine inlets. With the wind and airflow conditions modeled, Rand Simulation and plant engineers exploredhow different corrective devices might improve the system, including louvers and directing plates. Long-Term Benefits and Results Improved airflows for ACC efficiency improvements In the end, the models showed that directing plates would work best. The models showed that angled direction plates set on the inlet side of the ACC fans would increase overall airflow by 2% and flow balance by 42%. "Being able to view CFD analysis data visually allowed us to gain a better understanding of current and future airflows," said the plant manager. "With this data, it became a matter of running different scenarios to find the best fit." "Great work that increased from the original scope. Now that's a rare trait in suppliers," said the plant manager. "On a scale of 1-10, Rand Simulation certainly earned a 10. They were good communicators with integrity. They knew their stuff, but were also flexible and willing to listen to our ideas. They also took the time to explain the technical aspects, so that everyone was always on the same page." Reducing downtime at other plants in the future This large energy producer runs many generation plants across the US, and many of them experience similar issues. "We plan to get Rand Simulation to work on some of our other plants that are having similar backpressure issues," said the plant manager. "I am very pleased with the results of this work. We were lucky for our chance introduction to Rand Simulation, because there really is no one else out there doing CFD for plant design at their level." Large Combined Cycle Power Plant Utilizes CFD Modeling to Predict the Negative Cross Wind Effects on a Large Air Cooled Condenser