Our Projects

1. Improvement in Green anode quality using CFD-DEM coupling


A very complex physics is involved in the interaction of fluid (coal tar pitch) and particles (calcined coke particles) during the vibro-compaction process of the green anode. Tribology between fluid particles is also considered to achieve actual interactions taking place during vibro-compaction. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulates coal-tar pitch while the Discrete Element Method (DEM) captures the interaction of coke particles. But to simulate the interaction of both pitch and particles in a single computational domain, a true CFD-DEM coupling is required. Here, we have done the CFD-DEM coupled simulation of coal-tar pitch with calcined coke particles for improved green anode quality.

2. HVAC modeling of electrical rooms 


HVAC modeling is one of our key areas of expertise. Thanks to our recent projects !!!


We performed HVAC modeling of electrical rooms of the World's largest social media company. We helped them understand 



Our CFD solutions to this problem involved physics such as turbulence, buoyancy effect, and detailed conjugate heat transfer.

Surface temperature profiles

ARU

CRAH

3. Large-scale environmental modeling

This project focuses on external HVAC and environmental modeling of large-scale data farms. These areas are about  0.5×0.33×02 Km3.

Dry coolers are used to extract the heat from the hot fluids coming from the data centers. They exchange heat and make them reusable for data center cooling and recycle the liquid. This huge amount of extracted heat is disposed of in the environment. Thus minimizing the heat island effect on the surrounding areas is of utmost importance. The effect of wind speed and direction becomes rather important in carrying away this plume of heat. Paanduv not only successfully delivered the project with complete sincerity but also helped them use this CFD data through an AI agent for better decision-making in the future, known as DC Pracar.

Data Farm modeling 

Heat evolution from dry coolers

4. Smart metering system for reduced water footprint


Water is a valuable asset, therefore, monitoring how much water is consumed has become the need of the hour. This computational modeling project is done for a real-time implementation of a flow meter in a water line to monitor the water footprint. The use of a flow conditioner in a water line is used to reduce the turbulence in the line thus achieving the fully developed flow sooner.

A transient flow CFD analysis of water is done in a single-diameter pipe around the proposed flow meter for optimizing the design of flow conditioners and the length between a flow conditioner and the flow meter.

The goal of this industrial project is to minimize the turbulence, minimizing the partial flow and minimizing the pressure drop. 

5. AI for CFD-based air duct design optimization

The goal of this problem was to produce a simulation model which can be used to create a simulation dataset. We have the hardware/software infrastructure to produce the few hundred design points that we need, which is why we only need a simulation model and not the whole dataset. 


Multivariable constrained optimization


6. Generation of gases in a photocatalytic water-splitting  reactor


With more stringent environmental concerns and governmental policies, a shift to clean energy generation is widely emphasized. Photocatalytic water splitting is a strategy that is used as an alternative that utilizes renewable energy sources i.e. solar energy for water splitting reaction to generate H2. 

In this case, we have modeled a known chemical reaction kinetics for a novel photocatalyst with a multiphase reaction system and validated it with the analytical solution. We demonstrated the generation of gases during the reaction and its evolution into air. 

H2O (l) ----> H2 (g) + 0.5 O2 (g) 


The first case is a laminar flow system, the second is turbulent and in the third case, an arbitrary random movement is provided so as to enhance the randomness in the system. 

7. O2 transport in different media in a microfluidic channel


The simplistic approach for transport of gas in different media is modeled to mimic the human gut system. The computational domain for assessing the transport of O2 in liquid and air and how the diffusion occurs due to the difference in solubility of O2 in different media. The partial pressure of O2 in both the media is evaluated. The transport is driven through advection in water and through diffusion in air medium. The qualitative assessment mass fraction trend at different location of the microchannel is compared with the literature for validation. 

8. Effect of surface skewness on biofilm 

Study of biofilms are of great importance to human health and welfare, including their potential negative effects on public health (such as increased pathogen resistance to antibiotics) and economics (such as pipeline corrosion and increased friction). Biofilms are also highly beneficial in many engineered systems, such as bioreactors for industrial processes and wastewater treatment. The effects of surface properties on microbial adhesion and biofilm development are therefore of great interest in a variety of environments, and the goals of surface selection/design can be to reduce or enhance biofilm growth and microbial activity. 

9. Scouring in railway bridge abutment 

Tawa bridge railway line doubling, connects East India to West India. Abutment soil stability analysis during peak flows was done using Paanduv’s customized sediment modeling solver. 

For this study, railways standard codes based soil slope stability analysis is performed. Also, advanced 3D sediment scour analysis is performed for further clarity during peak river flow.

10. CFD modeling of airflow from a millet storage tank  

India produces more than 170 lakh tons ( 80% of Asia’s & 20% of global production) of millet. The global millet market was valued at $9.95 Billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $14.14 Billion in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2021 to 2028.

With the large production of millets, there are various challenges concerning the storage of the millets. Millets have a poor shelf life due to intrinsic enzyme activity that causes rapid rancidity and bitterness. Millet products are also prone to moisture and water activity. Quality assurance thus greatly depends on different pre-treatments and/or storage conditions. 

Therefore, the efficient storage of millets could improve the shelf life of the millets. It is indicated that a continuous flow of air from the storage tanks allows sufficient drying for millets to eliminate the growth of undesired microorganisms. Therefore a continuous and uniform airflow is required in the silos. Here, the design of the internal components such as the distributor becomes important. Computational modeling is an effective strategy to optimize the sparger design to ensure a uniform distribution of air across the millet bed. 

Here we have modeled the millet storage tank with major focus on the following: