Argonne National Laboratory

Experimental Operations and Facilities

Engineering Analysis: Thermal, Structural, Fluid

Our portfolio

The 12m diameter CTA Gamma ray telescope that was constructed in Europe for DESY. We performed the structural analysis, design and supervised the fabrication. We have structural engineers who can design a wide range of structures to applicable codes. Photo credit: DESY
This shows a 6-meter-tall section of the High Voltage system for the proto-DUNE detector at CERN. This is a unique G-10 structure. Our engineers tested materials and analyzed and designed the structure.
This shows a coupled multi-physics analysis (structural and radio frequency) of superconducting radio frequency accelerator cavities to understand sensitivity to geometric shapes changes and then design mechanical tuning systems.
This shows coupled thermal-Hydraulic (using CFD) and Structural analysis (using FEA) of a water-cooled Zirconium cladded DU target disk assembly subject to internal heat generation from an electron beam.
This multi-physics analysis shows a superconducting radio frequency. The modal analysis offers a baseline frequency, the structural analysis gives deflections due to tuningloads, and the second modal analysis is used to calculate frequency shift.
This copper cavity shows detailed structural analysis to predict thermal fatigue damage.
This shows an evaluation of natural convection inside a beam tube assembly during off line magnetic field measurements where air temperature stability is critical. Right side of tube is open to room air. Stream lines indicate flow, contour indicate temperature.
This shows a computational fluid dynamics analysis of an Argonne building’s ventilation system. The red areas show where air stagnates and shows better locations for the placement of continuous air monitors to assess airborne particulate radioactivity.
Thermal/pneumatic analysis, using CFD, produced this combination flow vector and temperature contour plot as the flow of pressurized helium over this domed window heats up from energy deposition due to a 40 MeV electron beam.

World-class scientists count on us

Argonne’s Engineering Services team collaborates with researchers across the laboratory — and the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratory system — to analyze the most sophisticated thermal, structural, and fluid conditions.

To achieve this, our team, draws on finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to support the design process and understand operational matters. Our team has considerable expertise in ANSYS, Abaqus, CFX, and Fathom software. We can also automate analysis through scripting.

Our team also includes a licensed professional and structural engineers who assure quality and safety of structural designs.

We handle all requests — from separate analyses to support your designs to turn-key, full-service solutions that involve design, analysis, and fabrication.

We focus on:

Thermal analysis - Our work helps scientists create, test, and maintain particle detectors and targets; avoid thermal fatigue; and understand heating / cooling systems.

Structural analysis – Our engineers can assess structures for safety and performance using FEA and or traditional hand calculations following appropriate structural codes.

Fluid analysis – Our expertise in computational fluid dynamics helps us and our collaborating scientists understand, design and build world-class experimental components, systems, and facilities. Examples range from nuclear reactor materials, designs, and gloveboxes to accelerator targets and fuel behavior.

Multiphysics – We offer a variety of coupled physics analyses, including thermal/structural and fluid/structural.  In addition, our engineers are versed in coupled high frequency electromagnetic / structural calculations. Engineers rely on these to design superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities.

We offer flexible staffing and welcome both short- and long-term engagements. To learn more about our services, contact Victor Guarino via email or at 630-252-5613.