A detailed CFD model was developed considering:

• All reactor inlets and outlets
• Digestate composition, including dispersed organic matter
• Operating conditions such as inlet flow rates and temperatures

The reactor included three independent mixing circuits, each with its own injector that mixed digestate with generated biogas to enhance biological reactions.

The model therefore incorporated:

• Different mixing system operating sequences
• Operating times of each circuit
• Interaction between flows
• Thermal effects associated with mixing and biological activity

Several performance indicators were used to compare the proposed reactor geometries.

• Digestate Velocity

The total volume where velocity exceeded the minimum recommended threshold was quantified, identifying potential stagnation zones.

• Residence Time and Mixing Efficiency

The time required to achieve homogeneous mixing was calculated, determining which configuration provided the shortest effective mixing time.

• Temperature Distribution

Thermal gradients were analyzed to assess heat transfer efficiency between different flow regions, a key factor for biological process stability.

• Organic Matter Distribution and Sedimentation Risk
  Areas with high solids accumulation and potential deposition were identified.

The analysis revealed the geometry that provided:

• Greater active volume with adequate flow velocities
• Shorter mixing times
• Improved thermal homogeneity
• Lower risk of solids accumulation and sedimentation

Thanks to CFD simulation, the reactor design was optimized before construction or modification, reducing operational risks and improving overall biogas production performance.

The project was carried out in two main phases:

1. Branch Connection Optimization

• Several geometric alternatives were evaluated, considering:
  • Maximum and minimum pressures
  • Local pressure losses
  • Pressure fluctuations
• Simulations were conducted under different plant operating scenarios.

2. Full System Modeling and Jet Analysis

After selecting the optimal branch geometry:

• The complete piping system was modeled
• The hollow-jet valve was included under real operating conditions
• Jet velocity and impact forces on the wall were quantified
• Velocity fields between the discharge point and impact wall were evaluated

The branch optimization phase demonstrated that:

• Pressure peaks remained within acceptable limits
• The selected geometry successfully transported the required discharge flow
• The final design exhibited the lowest pressure losses among all alternatives
• Pressure fluctuations were significantly reduced

The discharge jet analysis provided:

• Maximum impact velocity on the wall
• Detailed velocity distribution along the jet trajectory

Due to the high discharge velocities involved, additional improvements were proposed to reduce jet energy before impact, lowering transmitted loads and improving operational safety.

The final design delivered a hydraulically efficient, structurally safe solution tailored to real operating conditions.

The study included:

• Isolated Panel Analysis
  Evaluation of multiple wind directions acting on a single solar panel, including:
  • Aerodynamic drag and lift forces
  • Moments acting on panels and supporting structures

• Full Solar Array Simulation
  Simulation of the complete solar farm layout to:
  • Assess panel-to-panel interaction effects
  • Evaluate shielding effects between rows
  • Compare loads on perimeter panels, particularly corner panels, with loads on interior panels

This approach captured aerodynamic phenomena that cannot be represented through simplified analytical models.

Wind direction analysis showed that:

• Northern winds generated the highest loads for the case studied
• Southern winds produced lower loads due to the geometry and orientation of the array

Significant differences were also identified between:

• Front-row panels, which experienced the highest aerodynamic loads due to direct exposure
• Central rows, where shielding effects reduced wind loads

The relationship between drag and lift forces was also evaluated:

• For northern and crosswinds, lift forces dominated
• For southern winds, drag forces exceeded lift forces

This study enabled a more realistic structural design, improving safety while avoiding unnecessary oversizing and remaining fully aligned with EUROCODE EN 1991-1-4 requirements.

The project was divided into two main phases:

• CFD Analysis of the Existing Design
  Objectives included:
  • Quantifying pressure losses within the section
  • Evaluating its overall impact on system performance
  • Identifying flow separation and turbulence caused by abrupt directional and sectional changes

• Evaluation of Alternative Designs
  Several redesign concepts were developed and compared to reduce pressure losses and improve hydraulic performance.

The CFD analysis confirmed that the original configuration generated substantial pressure losses due to:

• Sharp directional changes at the mitered bends
• Flow separation and recirculation zones
• Additional losses caused by the section reduction

Two improvement solutions were proposed:

1. Installation of internal flow deflectors within the mitered bends to guide the flow and reduce separation.
2. Replacement of mitered bends with curved elbows to smooth directional changes and reduce local pressure losses.

After comparing all three configurations, the solution incorporating internal deflectors delivered the best performance, reducing pressure losses by 22% compared to the original design.

This study demonstrates how CFD simulations can optimize hydraulic components with high accuracy, reducing energy losses and improving overall system efficiency without requiring extensive modifications.

The project included:

• Ventilation System Sizing
  Evaluation of:
  • Vent size requirements for natural ventilation
  • Fan selection and sizing for forced ventilation
  • Fresh air flow rates required to ensure adequate heat dissipation
• Airflow Optimization

  Optimization of air inlet and outlet locations to maximize air renewal while minimizing energy consumption.

The goal was to define a technically robust solution capable of maintaining temperatures within regulatory limits while ensuring operational efficiency and reliability.

CFD simulations enabled accurate design and sizing of both natural and forced ventilation systems, optimizing heat removal within a high-temperature enclosed environment.

The study began with a baseline simulation under the most demanding thermal load conditions. The following parameters were analyzed:

• Temperature distribution throughout the room
• Air velocity fields
• Flow dynamics generated by the initial ventilation configuration

Based on these results, an iterative optimization process was carried out, including:

• Redesign of air inlet and outlet locations
• Adjustment of ventilation flow rates
• Comparison of alternative natural and forced ventilation configurations.

Once the optimal solution was achieved, multiple operating and environmental scenarios were evaluated to validate system performance under real-world conditions.

The final solution proved to be technically robust, energy-efficient, and fully compliant with temperature requirements, ensuring adequate heat dissipation even under the most unfavorable operating conditions.

The project was developed in two main phases:

·         HVAC Duct Network Analysis:

The airflow distribution within the HVAC system was analyzed to identify areas with excessive pressure losses and potential flow imbalances.

·         Indoor Airflow Analysis:

CFD simulations were used to evaluate airflow distribution throughout the room, identifying areas with poor air renewal and increased CO₂ concentrations.

The HVAC duct analysis revealed recirculation zones and significant pressure drops, causing imbalances in system regulation. Since the installation was already operational, modifying the duct layout or replacing high-loss sections was complex and impractical.

As a solution, local restrictions were introduced at supply outlets to adjust the required airflow rates in each area. CFD simulations made it possible to determine the exact level of adjustment required for each diffuser, eliminating costly trial-and-error interventions.

Additionally, a detailed analysis of CO₂ concentrations (ppm) and air changes per hour identified areas with inadequate ventilation. Based on these findings, diffuser settings were adjusted to increase fresh air supply in the most critical zones, resulting in a more uniform airflow distribution and a significant improvement in indoor air quality.