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Process engineering: mass and energy balances, exergy and thermo-economics
Thermodynamic analysis of plants and systems with the first and second laws. Exergy shows where the energy is destroyed, and thermo-economics shows what it costs, so the equipment can be compared and the project improved.
Exergy analysis of a refinery in Brazil and of aeronautical thermal systems, and mass and energy balances of a rotary drying kiln.
Process engineering track record
- Refinery in BrazilExergy analysis that located the destruction of exergy and compared equipment.
- Aeronautical thermal systemsConventional and more electric air systems compared by exergy, and a complete mission analysed phase by phase.
- Before the CFD++Exergy balances serve as a consistency check before the detailed CFD++ analysis.
- First and second lawBalances of mass and energy, plus the second law, which energy balances alone do not show.
- Cost of each lossThermo-economics puts a cost on the destroyed exergy.
Complete studies, from the balance to the recommended change
We prefer whole projects to isolated calculations: ATS responsible for the model, the analysis and the report.
Mass and energy balance
The plant or system modeled with the first law.
Exergy analysis
Where the work potential is destroyed, equipment by equipment.
Thermo-economics
The cost of the destroyed exergy, to decide where to invest.
Need only a part? We define the scope with you.
What you receive
Balances of mass and energy
Of the whole plant or system.
Exergy balance
With the destruction of exergy in each equipment.
Comparison of equipment
Which equipment destroys more exergy, and by how much.
Thermo-economic analysis
The cost of the destroyed exergy.
Consistency check for the CFD++
Exergy balances as a check before the detailed analysis.
Report
Method, results and recommendation.
How ATS analyzes a process
Mass and the first law
The analysis starts with the balances of mass and energy of each equipment and of the whole.
The second law and exergy
The second law shows what the energy balance hides: where the quality of the energy is lost. Exergy measures it, and exergy destruction ranks the equipment.
Thermo-economics
Thermo-economics adds the cost, so the engineer sees where an improvement pays.
Link with CFD++
Before the detailed CFD++ study, the exergy balances serve as a consistency check of the model.
Tools, and where each one fits
Tools serve the engineering work. We say what each one does in the project.
| Tool | Role in the project | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Python, Excel | Models of the balances, with no license needed. | In use |
| EES (Engineering Equation Solver) | Systems of equations with thermodynamic and transport properties of fluids and mixtures, parametric studies, optimization and uncertainty propagation. | Licensed per project |
| CFD++ | Fluid flow, heat transfer, combustion and particles in 3D. ATS is the exclusive CFD++ representative in Brazil. | Licensed |
Evidence you can check
Industrial work and papers published by ATS.
Project work
| Project | What we did | Tools and tests | Result or venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrobras: refinery in BrazilProject | Exergy analysis of the plant. | Mass and energy balances, exergy, comparison of equipment. | Exergy destruction located and equipment compared. Main offenders located, with opportunities for optimization and operating cost cuts. |
| Embraer and Poli-USP: aeronautical thermal systemsProject | Exergy analysis of the air system (air conditioning and anti-ice) of a commercial aircraft, conventional and more electric, and of a complete mission. | Exergy balances, specific exergy consumption and cost of exergy destroyed. | Efficiency and exergy destroyed per flight phase; more electric architecture with less exergy destroyed. Gandolfi, Pellegrini, Silva and Oliveira Jr., AIAA 2008-153 and COBEM 2007 (ABCM). |
| B&A Mineração: rotary drying kilnProject | Mass and energy balances of the drying section, with and without lifters. | Mass and energy balances, psychrometrics, convection and radiation. | Profiles of gas flow, temperature, humidity and enthalpy along the kiln, and water evaporated per section. |
Examples
Select an image to see each example.
Rotary kiln
Drying sections of a rotary kiln, with and without lifters.
Request a technical proposalHow an engagement runs
Diagnosis and goal
We define the problem, the operating conditions and the target with your team.
Model
The geometry of the equipment is prepared and the physics that apply are chosen.
Analysis
Numerical calculation based on the applicable physical principles.
Checks and validation
Results are checked for consistency and compared with tests, plant data or the literature.
Solution and report
Design of the solution, specification of the test when needed, and the report.
Follow-up
Support in the field test or in operation, and revisions.
Related services
Questions engineers ask before they hire us
Why exergy and not only energy?
The energy balance closes even when much is wasted. Exergy shows where the quality of the energy is lost.
What is thermo-economics?
The analysis that gives a cost to the destroyed exergy.
Is it done before or after the CFD?
Before. The exergy balances serve as a consistency check of the CFD++ analysis.
Do you have published work?
Yes, on aeronautical thermal systems: AIAA 2008-153 (complete mission of a commercial aircraft) and COBEM 2007 (conventional and more electric air systems).
Is our data kept confidential?
Yes. We work under NDA, and your design data and reports stay with you.
Tell us about the plant or system
Send the flow diagram and the operating data.
sales@aerothermalsolutions.co+55 11 3854-4224An ATS engineer replies. We work under NDA.