Thermal Analysis
Optimizing Thermal Performance and Ensuring System Integrity
Thermal performance is fundamental to the efficiency, safety, and durability of engineering systems. Improper thermal management—such as non-uniform temperature gradients, overheating, or thermal fatigue—can lead to material degradation, system failure, or loss of performance. At ENA2, we conduct advanced Thermal Analysis using high-fidelity CFD and Finite Element simulations to assess and optimize heat transfer behavior in a wide range of systems, from electronics and rotating machinery to building envelopes and energy systems.
Simulation Capabilities
Conduction, Convection, and Radiation Modeling
We capture all modes of heat transfer using physics-based models:
- Conduction through solids and interfaces, accounting for material heterogeneity and thermal contact resistance
- Convection (natural and forced) within fluids, including buoyancy-driven effects in air or liquid domains
- Thermal radiation, including surface-to-surface radiative exchange, view factors, and emissivity for high-temperature or vacuum applications
This enables realistic simulation of multi-mode heat transfer environments.
Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT)
CHT analysis couples fluid flow with solid conduction to simulate systems like:
- Electronics with embedded cooling
- Heated/cooled piping and vessels
- Heat exchangers and thermal enclosures
We resolve wall-interface temperatures and heat fluxes with high fidelity, delivering insights into thermal barrier performance and cooling efficiency.
Transient Thermal Analysis
We simulate unsteady thermal behavior over time, including:
- Equipment startup or shutdown cycles
- Thermal load variation due to process changes
- Heating or cooling time for systems under dynamic operation
Transient analysis is key for assessing time-to-temperature thresholds, heat soak effects, or temperature overshoots.
Joule–Thomson (J–T) Heating and Cooling Effects
We model real-gas behavior during isenthalpic expansion, capturing:
- Cooling during high-pressure gas throttling (e.g., in LNG or cryogenic systems)
- Heating effects for gases with negative J–T coefficients
Our models are applied in valves, nozzles, porous media, and are essential for gas processing, refrigeration, and phase-change systems.
Localized Heat Sources and Non-Uniform Heating
ENA2 incorporates detailed component-level heat generation:
- Electronic chips, resistive heaters, laser sources, or frictional surfaces
- Non-uniform or time-dependent heat fluxes
This is critical in device-level simulations where spatial heating variability impacts design decisions.
Thermal Gradient and Hotspot Detection
We identify and visualize:
- Thermal stress drivers caused by sharp gradients
- Regions at risk of delamination, warping, or thermal buckling
- Heat zones that could degrade performance or safety
Gradient maps and hotspot plots are used to inform insulation, material selection, or cooling system redesign.
Applications and Industry Use
Objectives of Thermal Analysis
Our thermal simulations help engineers:
Identify Thermal Hotspots
Locate regions with excessive temperature buildup that may lead to thermal stress, insulation failure, or material fatigue.
Evaluate Temperature Gradients
Analyze spatial and temporal temperature differentials within solid and fluid domains.
Optimize Heat Management
Validate cooling strategies, passive heat sinks, and insulation effectiveness.
Assess Material Longevity
Evaluate thermal aging, expansion mismatch, and fatigue due to cyclic heating and cooling.
Support Thermal Safety and Efficiency
Ensure compliance with temperature thresholds and maximize energy efficiency under real-world conditions.
Evaluation Metrics and Deliverables
We deliver engineering insights that support both design validation and operational optimization:
- Temperature distribution and time-resolved thermal maps
- Heat flux vectors, heat transfer coefficients, and surface cooling effectiveness
- Hotspot identification and thermal barrier mapping
- J–T cooling predictions and temperature change due to throttling
- Input for thermal stress and fatigue life evaluation
- Recommendations for insulation, material changes, or thermal system improvements
Applications and Industry Use
By capturing real operating physics—including conduction, convection, radiation, and phase-independent effects like Joule–Thomson expansion—ENA2 helps clients design thermally optimized systems that are safe, reliable, and energy-efficient.
