AFT Arrow – Modeling and calculation of pipe networks with compressible fluids
AFT Arrow helps you to create and calculate a model of a pipe network with compressible fluids. It combines calculation with an easy-to-use and intuitive graphic interface.
AFT Arrow includes thermal analysis in pipes and heat exchangers and the variations in physical flow properties used at any point of the system.
AFT Arrow has the possibility of defining or importing new libraries or using some of the user's own with fluids, materials, cost, pipe size, and valves.
AFT Arrow like all other products is capable of using the Chempak library in order to define fluid mixtures.
The application is capable of simulating and solving adiabatic and isothermal processes, general conditions of heat transfer in heat exchangers and study of the shockwave or sonic impact.
The scenario manager is capable of analyzing and comparing, quickly and easily, several scenarios or configurations of the same system, storing all information in the same file.
It is a tool for the analysis of gas networks that allows the engineer to know or quickly predict the system's behavior.
Features
It can model systems with any configuration:
- Open/Closed Systems
- Networks
- Loops
It has an advanced graphical interface.
It detecs sonic choking.
It can model gases and mixtures with constant or variable properties.
It makes it possible to create, compare and analyze different scenarios or system configurations, keeping all information together in one file.
The steady state is calculated using a Newton-Raphson matrix based technique to solve 5 equations:
- Continuity Equation (Masa).
- Momentum Equation (Bernoulli).
- Energy Equation.
- State Equation.
- March Number.
The user can define or import libraries. The program includes libraries with fluids, materials, costs, pipes sizes, and valves.
It calculates the energy balance in pipes and heat exchangers.
It supports English and SI units.
Modeling Components
The application allows for ramifications up to 25 pipes per node, without any node number limitation.
Boundary conditions of known flow or pressure.
Compressors and funs:
- A characteristic curve can be obtained by polynomial or linear interpolation.
- It can model all types of pumps.
- In parallel or in series.
You can define all types of valves: control valves, knife valves, sprinklers and orifices.
You can define components and accessories of which the resistance curve follows a polynomial equation.
In the heat exchangers you can calculate:
- Head losses.
- Heat transfer.
The isolation of pipes can be defined in order to evaluate energy losses due to heat transfer.
Results
The results are shown by table.
The user can obtain graphs of every calculated parameter.
The user can display the results as a colored thematic map.
The user can personalize the fields that he wants to be shown in the results, the graphs and the thematic maps colours.
The values of the results and graphs can be easily exported to MS-Office.
Arrow modules
AFT Arrow's calculation can be expanded with the following modules:
- CST- CoST - It allows the user to estimate the ownership costs of the system (installation, operation and maintenance).
- GSC- Goal Seek and Control - It automates the process for searching and obtaining the required values in a system. For example, it guarantees the flow and temperature in a pipe, the percentage of opening of a valve according to required parameters, etc.
Chempak
Chempak is a library that contains the thermo-physical properties of over 700 fluids used in industry.
Chempak allows you to define liquid mixtures.
Viewer also has a data library to be used independently.
AFT Chempak Add-in can be accessed from an Excel spreadsheet.
Steam Calc
SteamCalc is a library that contains the natural thermal properties of water, steam and mixtures of water / steam in the form of tables and graphs.
