CFD Simulation of Exhaust Gas Dispersion into Atmosphere from Industrial Stack
Client Profile.
Air Pollution Control Systems, USA
Industry: Process Industry
Objective.
CFD specialists at HitechDigital simulated the actual atmospheric conditions at the stack site to analyze the exhaust gas released from the stack and investigated the amount of SO2 released using ANSYS. A simulation result within 500m radius of the stack was studied and documented for the client to take appropriate decision.
Business Needs.
To predict the pollutant dispersion from the industrial stack to avoid hazardous situations near the industrial area.
Study the behavior and dispersion of SO2 gas.
Obtain control over harmful particulates and gases into the atmosphere.
Optimize the stack design based on exhaust gas analysis.
Challenges.
Control of SO2 dispersion in the atmosphere released from industrial stacks to attain control over air pollution.
Selecting appropriate turbulence model to obtain insightful results to control harmful emissions.
Developing large atmospheric domain boundaries to capture the exhaust gas dispersion into the atmosphere comprehensively.
Since UDF vary largely, wind profile created at the stack outlet is very subjective.
HitechDigital’s Solution.
Exhaust gas analysis was performed to investigate the SO2 dispersion in the atmosphere from the industrial stack. A wind profile was developed using UDF (user defined functions) to replicate actual atmospheric conditions around the CAD model prepared to analyses the actual time conditions. The simulation results showed the dispersion of the SO2 along with other species in to the atmosphere within the 500m radius from the stack.
Approach.
3D CAD model was developed based on the CAD drawings provided by the client.
To capture the wind effect around the stack, a semi-spherical atmospheric domain was created.
To implement atmospheric wind condition and capture the complete physical conditions, UDF was developed for the wind profile.
Pre-defined exhaust gases were demarcated as boundary conditions at stack outlet.
Dispersed stack gases were analyzed using CFD simulation.
Benefit.
Identified the dispersion of SO2 in terms of mass and volume fraction.
Since the SO2 dispersion was found within the nominal range, it was permissible to keep operating the stack in as is condition.
Predictions of exhaust gas dispersion suggested process plant designer to modify the equipment design accordingly for future use.
Client Speaks.
We have already saved a significant amount in design costs with help of your CFD simulations, and will use it further to prove and refine our new design ideas.
Result.
Dispersion of SO2 in 500m radius was less than 10PPMV [Parts Per Million Volume] which is within the nominal range.
Significant engineering improvement in process equipment efficiency, reliability and product safety.
Predicted the pollutant dispersion from the industrial stack and avoided hazardous situations near the industrial area.
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