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For the yachting professional on the Mediterranean

Fit for Purpose

Article by Chris Clifford

Heinen Hopman

Jeroen Fijan looks at the cost and time benefits of running Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis for HVAC systems prior to installation on the yacht

Marine HVAC supplier Heinen & Hopman has introduced a new service that can accurately predict where deficiencies in the HVAC system may occur before mounting a single piece of equipment onboard a ship. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology, the HVAC system design is analyzed to validate whether the HVAC installation shall meet specific requirements.

CFD is a well-established technology in many industries. With CFD technology, air flows can be realistically simulated to identify common HVAC problems such as drafts, high levels of turbulence, high pressure drop and poor air distribution. CFD considers everything from the influence of sunlight to the layout of the rooms and the placement of air vents around furnishings, resulting in a comfort analysis and/or product validation. The goal is to figure out the best air circulation solutions for a specific space.

Avoid problems before they even occur
Investing in virtual CFD analyses saves you money and time. Potentially high expenses for adapting the HVAC system on-site after installation are avoided. Jeroen Fijan – R&D manager at Heinen & Hopman – explains: “Imagine being involved in the engineering of an engine room ventilation system. During the design process a flaw is detected when the ventilation shafts are connected to the plenums of the inlet and outlet grills. You found out that there is a possibility that – due to the limited space available – the supply and exhaust fan cannot overcome the pressure losses in the shafts, and therefore jeopardize the airflow and cooling of the engine room. A CFD analysis would be the only way to get more insight into the situation and to improve the design to avoid costly adaptations after installation. Furthermore, the costs for prototyping and testing are reduced.”

Types of analyses
Heinen & Hopman offers four types of analyses: a flow analysis, a comfort analysis, a pressure analysis of the total system and a thermal analysis of the total system. CFD is also a very useful tool for troubleshooting the HVAC system and optimizing system performance after installation, resulting in increased comfort and effectiveness.

TYPES OF ANALYSES

1. Flow analysis
With this simulation you can visualise gas or liquid flow patterns and velocity.

2. Comfort analysis
Local Air Changes Index (LACI), Local Mean Age (LMA), Contaminant Removal Effectiveness (CRE) & Local Air Quality Index (LAQI).

3. Pressure analysis of the total system
Indicating – Absolute and relative pressure development through the system & pressure loss over the total systems and its internal components

4. Thermal analysis of the total system
Looking at heat transfer of objects or surfaces, room temperatures plus, hot-spot, cold-spot detection

BENEFITS
• Avoid problems before they even occur
• Save time and costs during the design and installation
• Reduce costs for prototyping by carrying out virtual testing
• Reduce costs for real-time testing by testing virtual mock-up
• Optimised performance of the HVAC system
• Visualising HVAC, seeing is understanding and believing
• Most of all: peace of mind

For more information about the CFD analysis and consultancy:
Email sales@heinenhopman.com
or visit heinenhopman.com