AFT Fathom – Modeling and calculation of pipe networks with incompressible fluids
AFT Fathom helps you to create and calculate a model of a pipe network with incompressible fluids. It combines calculation with an easy-to-use and intuitive graphic interface.
AFT Fathom includes thermal analysis in pipes and heat exchangers and the variations in physical flow properties used at any point of the system.
AFT Fathom like all other products is capable of using the Chempak library in order to define fluid mixtures.
It is a tool for the analysis of liquid networks that allows the engineer to know quickly or to 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 can model fluids and fluid mixtures with constant or variable properties, as well as Newtonian and non Newtonian fluids.
It can model systems with slurries.
It makes it possible to create, compare and analyze different scenarios or system configurations, keeping all the information together in one file.
It has built-in Newton Raphson matrix techniques to solve the following three equations:
- Continuity Equation (Mass).
- Momentum Equation (Bernoulli).
- Energy Equation (optional).
The user can define or import libraries. The program includes libraries with fluids, materials, cost, pipe size, and valves.
It calculates the energy balances in pipes and heat exchangers.
It supports English and SI units.
Modeling components
The application allows for ramifications of up to 25 pipes per node, without any node number limitation.
Boundary conditions of known flow or pressure.
Pumps:
- A characteristic curve can be obtained by polynomial or linear interpolation.
- It can model all types.
- Viscosity corrections.
- 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 tables.
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.
Fathom modules
AFT Fathom's calculation can be expanded with the following modules:
- XTS- eXtended Time Simulation- It allows you to simulate the evolution of a system in a given time interval. For example, to define the geometry of a tank which being is used to determine liquid level changes over time.
- CST- CoST - It allows the user to estimate the ownership costs of the system (installation, operation and maintenance).
- GSC- Goal Seek and Control - This 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.
- SSL- Slurry - Settling Slurry can model the effect of pumping fluids containing settling solids.
- NSL – Slurry - Non-settling Slurry can model viscosity and frictional changes associated with pumping non-settling solids and also non- Newtonian fluids.
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.
