Marine HVAC supplier Heinen & Hopman has introduced a new service that can accurately predict where deficiencies in an HVAC system may occur before mounting a single piece of equipment on board a vessel.
According to Heinen & Hopman, computational-fluid dynamics (CFD) technology is used to analyse the HVAC-system design to validate whether the HVAC installation shall meet specific requirements.
In a recent press release, Heinen & Hopman outlined, “CFD is a well-established technology in many industries. With CFD technology, airflows can be realistically simulated to identify common HVAC problems, such as drafts, high levels of turbulence, high-pressure drop[s] 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.”
Allowing yacht crews and owners to avoid problems before they even occur, investment in virtual CFD analysis saves time and money, as potential on-site adaptation costs after installation are avoided.
Jeroen Fijan, R&D manager at Heinen & Hopman, explained, “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 jeopardise 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.”
As part of the new service, Heinen & Hopman is offering 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 can also be used as a useful tool for troubleshooting problems with the HVAC system and optimising system performance after installation, resulting in increased comfort and effectiveness.
