Computational Modeling: Thermal Sciences

Capabilities and Services

• Computational Fluid Dynamics

  Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has a wide variety of applications, such as modeling the diffusion of carbon monoxide (CO), the concentration of flammable gases as a result of leaks, thermal management of electronic devices, and venting of lithium-ion batteries. Our engineers hold licenses for three major, commercially available CFD packages: STAR-CCM+, FLUENT, and FLACS.

• Fire and Explosion Modeling

  We frequently conduct modeling to investigate the cause and origin of fires and to model non-fire-related scenarios, such as fan-induced air flows and the atmospheric dispersion of smoke and particulates over urban areas. Our engineers use the most widely used tools in fire modeling, the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and the Consolidated Model of Fire and Smoke Transport (CFAST). Exponent engineers also model wildfire growth to quantify risk to communities and natural resources.

• Cryogenic Liquid Modeling

  Cryogenic systems use liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide to rapidly remove heat from the products being processed. Cryogenic systems maintain very cold (cryogenic) temperatures to preserve liquefied gases or to cool electrical equipment. Exponent provides support throughout the entire process or product lifecycle for systems such as a cryogenic pump, cryogenic storage systems, cryogenic piping, a cryogenic chiller, or a cryogenic storage dewar.

• Oil Spill Modeling

  Exponent's expertise in oil spill modeling, risk assessment, release characterization, dispersion modeling, vapor-cloud explosion analysis, environmental chemistry, industrial hygiene, toxicology, and epidemiology allows us to comprehensively examine the consequences of both hypothetical and actual releases of hydrocarbons and other toxic or flammable substances.

• Industrial Discharge Modeling

  Exponent uses the U.S. EPA Visual Plumes model to simulate the dilution of industrial facility discharges, define critical plume parameters, and evaluate the dilution achieved relative to the distance from the diffuser. These model outputs are used to generate scale illustrations of plume growth. Additionally, Exponent uses analytical and modeling techniques to evaluate the concentrations of discharged effluent over long time periods and a range of hydrologic conditions.

• Summary of Services

  Exponent holds licenses for commercially available CFD packages and other flow modeling packages:

  • STAR-CCM+
  • FLUENT
  • FLACS
  • Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS)
  • Consolidated Model of Fire and Smoke Transport (CFAST)
  • FARSITE

  Exponent can also develop in-house codes to address specific needs. Some examples include assessing hydrocarbon spills in water and on the ground, analyzing overpressure safety during pressure testing, or evaluating the evolution of the hydrocarbon vapor concentration in a tank as a result of weather fluctuations and plant operating history.