Gas dispersion in a Ducato van

CFD für hohe Transportsicherheit

Merkle CAE Solutions is participating in a standards committee at EUMOS, eumos.eu, to make the transportation of hazardous gases in vans safer.

The motivation for this standard is that in the past there have been frequent explosions of vehicles due to the escape of explosive gases. Gas cylinders in vans are transported in tradesmen's vehicles, for example, but also in motorhomes.

The standard is intended to help prevent the formation of explosive mixtures.

The model shows the escape of gas from a gas cylinder. An appropriately dimensioned fan in the roof area of the vehicle can virtually rule out a critical concentration even in the event of a normal gas leak.

To ensure that the fan does not run permanently at the expense of the battery, escaping gas is detected by appropriate sensors and the fan is only switched on if this is the case.

A safety system informs the driver if gas is detected in his absence.

Flow simulations can be used to examine and evaluate the efficiency of the ventilation system in the event of a gas leak. Alternatively, physical tests can also be carried out, but these are considerably more complex.