Tanker exhaust study

The customer

• Size: Large enterprise
• Sector: Oil and gas
• Country: United Kingdom

The project

• Size: 65-70 man-hours
• Duration: 2-3 weeks

The problem

• Helipad operation problems on certain wind conditions
• Ventilation issues in the back of the cabin

Proposed solution

• Different wind speed and tanker speed studies for different exhaust flow rates
• Visibility prediction on the helipad

The simulations

• Flow analysis to determine smoke streams (CFD analysis)
• Diffusion CFD analysis of smoke under different wind conditions (CFD analysis)
• Optimization of the design for improved ventilation and helipad operation (CFD analysis)

Project overall results

• Reduced sensibility of the exhaust system to wind conditions. Safer helipad operation and ventilation of the cabin.
• Savings over £43,000 for the customer in prototyping and testing (estimate).
• Savings of more than 11 weeks in development time (estimate).