The Automated Network Sizing (ANS) module integrates with Fathom or Arrow software, utilizing IntelliFlow® technology, which combines advanced numerical searching algorithms with pipe flow simulation. This proven solution is designed to significantly reduce both capital and recurring costs, as well as energy usage, for complex fluid and thermal systems. ANS evaluates the intricate interactions of variables within a system design, identifying optimal parameter combinations that minimize overall costs and maximize efficiency. By automating the sizing of piping and system components in an integrated manner, ANS helps engineers achieve "Blue Ribbon Designs" by ensuring better design combinations are found while strictly maintaining all specified design requirements. It smartly manages design iterations, enabling efficient comparison of numerous design concepts within the same timeframe, thereby avoiding deadline-driven compromises. The module also supports predictive design, allowing engineers to size an initial system while anticipating different operating conditions or increased flow requirements for future expansions. Furthermore, ANS facilitates comprehensive economic analysis, accounting for interest rates and variable costs over time to determine life-cycle profitability without requiring external programs. This holistic approach to system sizing allows engineers to maximize their benefit by more efficiently utilizing their time, leading to substantial savings, with reported reductions of 10-15% on piping and energy costs.

Features & Benefits

• IntelliFlow® Technology
  • Leverages a combination of advanced numerical searching algorithms and pipe flow simulation to evaluate complex system interactions and minimize costs.
• Integrated System Sizing
  • Automatically sizes all piping and system components as an integrated system, moving beyond individual line sizing to minimize weight and cost holistically.
• Optimized Design Combinations
  • Ensures the discovery of superior design combinations for piping networks while strictly adhering to all specified design requirements.
• Efficient Iteration Management
  • Smartly manages design iterations, allowing for the efficient comparison of more design concepts within the same time to prevent deadline-driven compromises.
• Future-Proof Design & Multiple Operating Conditions
  • Enables sizing an initial system while anticipating different operating conditions or increased flow requirements for future expansions using dependent design cases.
• Economic & Lifecycle Analysis
  • Performs comprehensive economic analysis, accounting for interest rates and variable costs over time to determine life-cycle profitability, without needing to open another program.
• Energy & Sustainability Optimization
  • Manages carbon footprint by sizing systems to minimize energy costs, justifying increased initial investments for long-term energy savings and reducing total lifecycle costs.
  • Size to minimize energy costs for a given budgetary limit.
  • Account for future costs using time value of money and adjusting for variable recurring costs.
  • Determine cost effectiveness of replacing existing pipes in a system.
• Comprehensive Engineer Capabilities
  • Empowers engineers with precise control over design objectives and requirements.
  • Apply design objectives to minimize system costs including pipe weight, duct volume, and monetary cost.
  • Specify design requirements such as pressures, flowrates, velocities and NPSH throughout a system.
  • Size a single system for multiple operating conditions, meeting their different design requirements using dependent design cases.
  • Enforce commonality among pipe groups and parallel/back-up equipment during sizing.
  • Reduce a design’s energy consumption to meet sustainability goals for a given budget.
  • Perform economic cost analysis using Excel imported cost data while accounting for the time value of money and other changing variable costs.
• Guided Workflow
  • Provides an intuitive Sizing Navigation Panel to guide users through defining objectives, assigning sizes, selecting candidates, inputting requirements, assigning cost databases, and choosing sizing methods.