Hydraulic Laboratory Services Including: Mathematical Fluid Flow Modeling, Sressor Analysis, Hydraulic Modeling, Traceable Water Flow Meter Calibrations, Salt Velocity Method and Emergency Core Cooling Sumps
Hydraulic Research and Development
Founded in 1894, Alden is the oldest continuously operating hydraulic laboratory in the United States and one of the oldest in the world. From the early days of hydropower development and aviation into the modern world defined by environmental needs, Alden has been a recognized leader in the field of research and development. Services: Data Acquisition Systems, Precision Flow Meter, Baghouses, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Hydraulic Modeling Today, Alden is a vibrant, growing organization consisting of engineers, scientists, and support staff in five specialty areas. Much of our work supports the utility, manufacturing, and process industries. Our on site instrumentation, carpentry, and machine shops provide the specialty fabrication and data acquisition systems needed to support our complex and multifaceted air, water, calibration, and environmental projects. Alden offers a breadth and scope of services including: conceptual design detailed design biological/fisheries studies analytical modeling Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) field measurements physical modeling precision flow meter calibrations field testing Alden has over 100,000 square feet of enclosed space available for physical water and air models, fish testing flumes and basins, and dedicated computers for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Approximately twenty buildings are equipped with flow supplies and control offices for conducting hydraulic modeling, fish testing, air flow modeling and gas flow modeling, and numerous other types of flow testing. Fully equipped and staffed carpentry, machine, and instrumentation shops provide rapid and efficient project support. Our separate air facilities provide a wide range of flows for studies involving wet stacks, air heaters, baghouses, and other components for the fossil power plant and air industries. We recognize that our clients look for the best people in the industry to satisfy their needs. For many years, we have sought opportunities to team with other companies that compliment our services, resulting in project teams that can provide complete solutions to client problems. Currently, Alden enjoys partnerships in two specific areas: Clean Water Act §316(b) NRC PWR LOCA Alden provides various services that include: air and gas flow modeling, environmental services, flow meter calibration, hydraulic modeling and numeric modeling. Air & Gas Flow Modeling Group: Flue Gas Desulfurization, Physical Flow Modeling, Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems And Electrostatic Precipitators Alden’s air and gas flow modeling group is a recognized leader in the physical flow modeling and computational flow modeling of industrial process gas flow systems and utility process gas flow systems. Our group has over 140 years of combined flow modeling experience and has developed an extensive list of satisfied clients. Our facilities are located in the hills of Holden, Massachusetts, and consist of over 120,000 square feet of laboratory, office, and model construction space, fully equipped machine, welding, and carpenter shops, instrumentation development and calibration facilities, state of the art data acquisition systems, and advanced computer facilities. In 1997, Alden’s air and gas modeling group formed a partnering arrangement with the former Dynatech Corporation of Cambridge, MA. The Alden-DynaFlow Team, which became fully owned by Alden in 2001, now includes over 40 engineers, scientists, and technicians with extensive experience in physical flow modeling and computational flow modeling, including: wet and dry stacks electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) baghouses selective catalytic reduction systems (SCR) complex duct systems flue gas desulfurization systems air heaters, heat exchangers, condensers mist eliminators fans and blowers boiler wind boxes manufacturing and process industries Besides fossil fueled power plants and emissions control systems, we have executed numerous single and multi-phase flow modeling projects for industrial and aerospace clients, manufacturing plants, and government agencies. Being able to provide both physical flow modeling and computational flow modeling services ensures that the most appropriate technical approach, or combination of approaches, will be used to solve your specific flow problem or system design review/evaluation. We fully evaluate the overall flow system and formulate effective plans to address the underlying causes of actual and/or potential operating problems. Our team has many years of practical real-world field experience with both the utility power generation and industrial process industries. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide cost-effective, realistic engineering solutions for our clients. Environmental Group: Hydroelectric Entrainment, Siltation, Upstream Fish Passage Facilities, Fish Protection Technology, Debris Management This group is widely recognized as being highly effective in resolving environmental issues associated with FERC and NPDES project licensing and comprises of engineers and scientists. It has developed numerous fish protection systems for water intakes as well as upstream fish passage facilities and downstream fish passage facilities at dams. The group specializes in resolving operation and maintenance problems associated with fish protection needs such as debris management, icing, siltation, and head loss. Alden’s solutions maximize the benefits received from the costs invested in meeting compliance. Specific areas of expertise include: Clean Water Act §316(b) technology or operational engineering, cost, and biological effectiveness evaluations strategic planning for §316(b) compliance (AIA, PIC, TIOP, CDS, etc.) CWIS fish protection technology design, development, and evaluation upstream and downstream fish passage technology design and evaluation laboratory and field studies of fish protection technology and fish passage technology FERC licensing and NEPA compliance pilot studies hydroelectric entrainment and mortality studies hydraulic design and model studies resolution of operation and maintenance problems (e.g., icing, siltation, biofouling, and debris) fish friendly hydro turbine design
Founded in 1894, Alden is the oldest continuously operating hydraulic laboratory in the United States and one of the oldest in the world. From the early days of hydropower development and aviation into the modern world defined by environmental needs, Alden has been a recognized leader in the field of research and development.
Today, Alden is a vibrant, growing organization consisting of engineers, scientists, and support staff in five specialty areas. Much of our work supports the utility, manufacturing, and process industries. Our on site instrumentation, carpentry, and machine shops provide the specialty fabrication and data acquisition systems needed to support our complex and multifaceted air, water, calibration, and environmental projects. Alden offers a breadth and scope of services including:
Alden has over 100,000 square feet of enclosed space available for physical water and air models, fish testing flumes and basins, and dedicated computers for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Approximately twenty buildings are equipped with flow supplies and control offices for conducting hydraulic modeling, fish testing, air flow modeling and gas flow modeling, and numerous other types of flow testing. Fully equipped and staffed carpentry, machine, and instrumentation shops provide rapid and efficient project support. Our separate air facilities provide a wide range of flows for studies involving wet stacks, air heaters, baghouses, and other components for the fossil power plant and air industries. We recognize that our clients look for the best people in the industry to satisfy their needs. For many years, we have sought opportunities to team with other companies that compliment our services, resulting in project teams that can provide complete solutions to client problems. Currently, Alden enjoys partnerships in two specific areas:
Alden provides various services that include: air and gas flow modeling, environmental services, flow meter calibration, hydraulic modeling and numeric modeling.
Alden’s air and gas flow modeling group is a recognized leader in the physical flow modeling and computational flow modeling of industrial process gas flow systems and utility process gas flow systems. Our group has over 140 years of combined flow modeling experience and has developed an extensive list of satisfied clients. Our facilities are located in the hills of Holden, Massachusetts, and consist of over 120,000 square feet of laboratory, office, and model construction space, fully equipped machine, welding, and carpenter shops, instrumentation development and calibration facilities, state of the art data acquisition systems, and advanced computer facilities. In 1997, Alden’s air and gas modeling group formed a partnering arrangement with the former Dynatech Corporation of Cambridge, MA. The Alden-DynaFlow Team, which became fully owned by Alden in 2001, now includes over 40 engineers, scientists, and technicians with extensive experience in physical flow modeling and computational flow modeling, including:
Besides fossil fueled power plants and emissions control systems, we have executed numerous single and multi-phase flow modeling projects for industrial and aerospace clients, manufacturing plants, and government agencies. Being able to provide both physical flow modeling and computational flow modeling services ensures that the most appropriate technical approach, or combination of approaches, will be used to solve your specific flow problem or system design review/evaluation. We fully evaluate the overall flow system and formulate effective plans to address the underlying causes of actual and/or potential operating problems. Our team has many years of practical real-world field experience with both the utility power generation and industrial process industries. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide cost-effective, realistic engineering solutions for our clients.
This group is widely recognized as being highly effective in resolving environmental issues associated with FERC and NPDES project licensing and comprises of engineers and scientists. It has developed numerous fish protection systems for water intakes as well as upstream fish passage facilities and downstream fish passage facilities at dams. The group specializes in resolving operation and maintenance problems associated with fish protection needs such as debris management, icing, siltation, and head loss. Alden’s solutions maximize the benefits received from the costs invested in meeting compliance. Specific areas of expertise include:
Alden Service Groups
Flow measurement has been a cornerstone of Alden since our inception in 1894 as the Alden Hydraulic Laboratory. Today, Alden is the largest independent supplier of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable water flow meter calibrations in the United States. Flow Meter Calibration Including: Component Flow Testing, Traceable Water Flow Meter Calibrations Our personnel, who offer over 150 years of experience in flow meter calibration and component flow testing, actively participate in the development of national and international test codes for the calibration of a wide range of flow meters. Flow measurement has been a cornerstone of Alden since our inception in 1894 as the Alden Hydraulic Laboratory. Today, Alden is the largest independent supplier of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable water flow meter calibrations in the United States. Our personnel, who offer over 150 years of experience in flow meter calibration and component flow testing, actively participate in the development of national and international test codes for the calibration of a wide range of flow meters. Alden’s Hooper and Allen Laboratories include several weigh tanks with capacities from 1,000 to 100,000 lbs. These tanks facilitate highly accurate flow measurement using methods meeting ASME/ANSI MFC-9M-1988 ``Measurement of Liquid Flow in Closed Conduits by Weighing Method`` and International Organization for Standardized Code ISO Code 4185-1980 ``Measurement of Liquid Flow in Closed Conduits - Weighing Method.`` Flow measurement uncertainty is better than 0.2%, and all measurement and test equipment is directly traceable to NIST. Flow meter testing is conducted under the department’s quality assurance program, which is regularly audited by the Nuclear Users Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC). Component testing is performed for valves, strainers, and other head loss devices. Hydraulic Modeling: Pump Intakes, Wastewater And Stormwater Systems, Spillway And Discharge Systems, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Hydropower Intakes Alden’s hydraulic modeling Group has been conducting model studies since 1894 to solve flow problems for utilities, engineering firms, the federal government, and vendors of hydraulic equipment. A number of professional staff members, each with more than 25 years of experience, are proficient in the use of both physical modeling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Consequently, our staff is knowledgeable in selecting the most appropriate analysis technique, or combination of techniques, to solve each unique flow problem. The hydraulic modeling group often collaborates closely with the Numeric Modeling Group to address the most challenging flow problems. Projects undertaken by the Hydraulic Modeling Group are generally categorized as follows: hydropower intakes pump intakes flood and drainage canals spillway and discharge systems fish passage facilities complex piping systems wastewater systems and stormwater systems Physical techniques provide a cost effective means to evaluate the performance of hydraulic facilities before they are constructed. Often the cost of the model is recovered through improved operating efficiency and longer equipment life. Numeric Modeling: Sressor Analysis, Hydraulic Zone Of Influence Determination, River Mechanics, Fluid Flow Analysis, Turbomachinery Mathematical fluid flow modeling has a broad range of applications in fluid flow and can be a reliable, cost effective method for solving many complex flow related problems. To offer the most effective method for fluid flow analysis, Alden has combined a century-long history of solving flow problems using physical models with innovative, state of the art Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The CFD Modeling Group offers over four decades of combined experience in numerical modeling, as well as considerable experience in physical modeling and field studies. This broad knowledge base is essential for recognizing the limitations of CFD and identifying situations where its use is inappropriate or when a combined CFD/physical modeling approach should be implemented. For numerical modeling work, Alden has assembled a suite of one, two, and three dimensional numerical modeling software packages to address a broad range of problems involving fluid flow and heat transfer. Featured software packages include MIKE21, FLUENT, FIDAP, and FLOW-3DTM. These tools are routinely used to solve flow problems related to: air pollution control equipment fish passage and protection industrial flow processes power generation water and wastewater industry hydraulic structures river mechanics turbomachinery The CFD team provides services to a broad range of clients, as well as meeting the numeric modeling needs of Alden’s environmental, hydraulic modeling, air & gas flow modeling, and flow meter calibration groups. Selected projects Alternative Intake Analyses in the Carolinas Hydraulic Zone of Influence Determination in Lake (Lake Michigan) Hydraulic Zone of Influence Determination in River (Tanners Creek) Hydraulic Zone of Influence Determination in Tidal Estuary (Patuxent River) Air Flow Through Tie-In Duct Between Two ESP Units Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Baghouse Performance Improvement Using Combined Physical/Computer Modeling ESP Performance Improvement Using Combined Physical/Computer Modeling Fish Return System - CFD Sressor Analysis and Alternative Design Services in the Northeastern United States Numerical Simulation of SCR System in a Gas Turbine Installation SCR System Performance Improvement Using Physical Air Flow Modeling Stack Plume Downwash Prediction Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Wet Stack Liquid Collection System Development Using Combined Physical/Computer Modeling
Flow measurement has been a cornerstone of Alden since our inception in 1894 as the Alden Hydraulic Laboratory. Today, Alden is the largest independent supplier of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable water flow meter calibrations in the United States.
Our personnel, who offer over 150 years of experience in flow meter calibration and component flow testing, actively participate in the development of national and international test codes for the calibration of a wide range of flow meters. Flow measurement has been a cornerstone of Alden since our inception in 1894 as the Alden Hydraulic Laboratory. Today, Alden is the largest independent supplier of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable water flow meter calibrations in the United States. Our personnel, who offer over 150 years of experience in flow meter calibration and component flow testing, actively participate in the development of national and international test codes for the calibration of a wide range of flow meters. Alden’s Hooper and Allen Laboratories include several weigh tanks with capacities from 1,000 to 100,000 lbs. These tanks facilitate highly accurate flow measurement using methods meeting ASME/ANSI MFC-9M-1988 ``Measurement of Liquid Flow in Closed Conduits by Weighing Method`` and International Organization for Standardized Code ISO Code 4185-1980 ``Measurement of Liquid Flow in Closed Conduits - Weighing Method.`` Flow measurement uncertainty is better than 0.2%, and all measurement and test equipment is directly traceable to NIST. Flow meter testing is conducted under the department’s quality assurance program, which is regularly audited by the Nuclear Users Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC). Component testing is performed for valves, strainers, and other head loss devices.
Alden’s hydraulic modeling Group has been conducting model studies since 1894 to solve flow problems for utilities, engineering firms, the federal government, and vendors of hydraulic equipment. A number of professional staff members, each with more than 25 years of experience, are proficient in the use of both physical modeling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Consequently, our staff is knowledgeable in selecting the most appropriate analysis technique, or combination of techniques, to solve each unique flow problem. The hydraulic modeling group often collaborates closely with the Numeric Modeling Group to address the most challenging flow problems. Projects undertaken by the Hydraulic Modeling Group are generally categorized as follows:
Physical techniques provide a cost effective means to evaluate the performance of hydraulic facilities before they are constructed. Often the cost of the model is recovered through improved operating efficiency and longer equipment life.
Mathematical fluid flow modeling has a broad range of applications in fluid flow and can be a reliable, cost effective method for solving many complex flow related problems. To offer the most effective method for fluid flow analysis, Alden has combined a century-long history of solving flow problems using physical models with innovative, state of the art Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The CFD Modeling Group offers over four decades of combined experience in numerical modeling, as well as considerable experience in physical modeling and field studies. This broad knowledge base is essential for recognizing the limitations of CFD and identifying situations where its use is inappropriate or when a combined CFD/physical modeling approach should be implemented. For numerical modeling work, Alden has assembled a suite of one, two, and three dimensional numerical modeling software packages to address a broad range of problems involving fluid flow and heat transfer. Featured software packages include MIKE21, FLUENT, FIDAP, and FLOW-3DTM. These tools are routinely used to solve flow problems related to:
The CFD team provides services to a broad range of clients, as well as meeting the numeric modeling needs of Alden’s environmental, hydraulic modeling, air & gas flow modeling, and flow meter calibration groups.
Selected projects
History and Facilities
Alden’s history began in 1894, when it was established by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), and was the third university hydraulic laboratory in the United States. Hydro Thermal Modeling, Salt Velocity Method, Field Flow Measurement, Hydro Power Industry, Baghouses, Input Flow, Emergency Core Cooling Sumps Initial interest in hydraulics was driven by the emerging hydro power industry. Holden was chosen as the lab’s location because it was historically a waterpower site having water rights to a 200-acre reservoir for saw, grist, and woolen mills and it was relatively close to WPI. For any of the performance testing, a key element was measurement of input flow to a high accuracy, which led to the installation of the first major instrumentation – a 36 inch by 16 inch Herschel Venturi meter from the 1893 Columbian Exposition and a copper lined wooden weigh tank on a Fairbanks scale from the 1874 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Both instruments were used throughout most of the 20th Century. Charles M. Allen was the director of the laboratory for about 50 years, and his interest in hydro power performance led to the invention of the Salt Velocity Method of field flow measurement in 1934. Field performance testing of hydro turbines and pumps for various applications remains an area of great interest today. An additional instrument of historic interest is the Alden rotating boom, which was named an ASME Historic Landmark in 1982. The boom was used for early propeller testing by David Gallup. It was also used in the calibration of current meters, ships’ logs, and the development of the Cole pitotmeter as it provided a known velocity to correlate to the instrument readings. Alden contributed to the war effort in the 1940s through studies of the physics of the entry of projectiles into water. Early high speed photography equipment was developed for use with strobe lights to document the effect of projectile shape on entry stability in large glass sided tanks. During the 1950s, the increase in power use demanded expansion of generation capacity and led to increased use of physical models for solving problems with circulating water systems, including the use of hydro thermal modeling to meet water quality requirements. This need resulted in the construction of 10 large test sheds to house these models. Physical models were applied to various flow problems such as pump intakes, emergency core cooling sumps, riverine problems, etc. The issuance of the Clean Air Act in 1967 and the National Environmental Policy Act in 1969 ushered in a new focus of studies at Alden that continues to this day. Alden formed an Environmental Services Group in 1994 which has grown steadily to meet the increasing demands of industry. In 1996, our Numeric Modeling Group was created to keep Alden up to date on state of the art computer modeling techniques. In 1999, air modeling capabilities were expanded, and our air and gas flow modeling group has extensive physical and numerical modeling capabilities. In the 21st Century, Alden continues to be a pioneering company dealing with complex flow problems in all types of media. The Environmental Services Group leads the field in fish protection and passage research and engineering, currently driven largely by the compliance requirements of the Clean Water Act Section 316(b). The air and gas flow modeling group performs numerous studies. Computer modeling is used by all groups to provide cost-effective solutions. Facilities Alden offers a breadth and scope of services not typically found in one location. Conceptual design, detailed design, biological/fisheries studies, analytical modeling, CFD, field measurements, physical modeling, precision flow meter calibrations, and field testing are all available. Situated on 32 acres, Alden has over 100,000 square feet of enclosed space available for physical water and air models, fish testing flumes and basins, and dedicated computers for CFD simulations. Approximately twenty buildings are equipped with flow supplies and control offices for conducting hydraulic modeling, fish testing, air/gas flow modeling, and numerous other types of flow testing. Fully equipped and staffed carpentry, machine, and instrumentation shops provide rapid and efficient project support. These in-house shops permit use of informal model drawings and allow close interaction with crafts personnel to improve construction methods. Fixed facilities providing water flow and an inventory of movable flow related equipment are located on the premises (e.g., pumps, valves, meter devices, fish screens). Our separate air facilities provide a wide range of flows for studies involving wet stacks, air heaters, baghouses, and other components for the fossil power plant industry and air industry.
Alden’s history began in 1894, when it was established by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), and was the third university hydraulic laboratory in the United States.
Initial interest in hydraulics was driven by the emerging hydro power industry. Holden was chosen as the lab’s location because it was historically a waterpower site having water rights to a 200-acre reservoir for saw, grist, and woolen mills and it was relatively close to WPI. For any of the performance testing, a key element was measurement of input flow to a high accuracy, which led to the installation of the first major instrumentation – a 36 inch by 16 inch Herschel Venturi meter from the 1893 Columbian Exposition and a copper lined wooden weigh tank on a Fairbanks scale from the 1874 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Both instruments were used throughout most of the 20th Century. Charles M. Allen was the director of the laboratory for about 50 years, and his interest in hydro power performance led to the invention of the Salt Velocity Method of field flow measurement in 1934. Field performance testing of hydro turbines and pumps for various applications remains an area of great interest today.
An additional instrument of historic interest is the Alden rotating boom, which was named an ASME Historic Landmark in 1982. The boom was used for early propeller testing by David Gallup. It was also used in the calibration of current meters, ships’ logs, and the development of the Cole pitotmeter as it provided a known velocity to correlate to the instrument readings. Alden contributed to the war effort in the 1940s through studies of the physics of the entry of projectiles into water. Early high speed photography equipment was developed for use with strobe lights to document the effect of projectile shape on entry stability in large glass sided tanks. During the 1950s, the increase in power use demanded expansion of generation capacity and led to increased use of physical models for solving problems with circulating water systems, including the use of hydro thermal modeling to meet water quality requirements. This need resulted in the construction of 10 large test sheds to house these models. Physical models were applied to various flow problems such as pump intakes, emergency core cooling sumps, riverine problems, etc.
The issuance of the Clean Air Act in 1967 and the National Environmental Policy Act in 1969 ushered in a new focus of studies at Alden that continues to this day. Alden formed an Environmental Services Group in 1994 which has grown steadily to meet the increasing demands of industry. In 1996, our Numeric Modeling Group was created to keep Alden up to date on state of the art computer modeling techniques. In 1999, air modeling capabilities were expanded, and our air and gas flow modeling group has extensive physical and numerical modeling capabilities. In the 21st Century, Alden continues to be a pioneering company dealing with complex flow problems in all types of media. The Environmental Services Group leads the field in fish protection and passage research and engineering, currently driven largely by the compliance requirements of the Clean Water Act Section 316(b). The air and gas flow modeling group performs numerous studies. Computer modeling is used by all groups to provide cost-effective solutions.
Facilities
Alden offers a breadth and scope of services not typically found in one location. Conceptual design, detailed design, biological/fisheries studies, analytical modeling, CFD, field measurements, physical modeling, precision flow meter calibrations, and field testing are all available.
Situated on 32 acres, Alden has over 100,000 square feet of enclosed space available for physical water and air models, fish testing flumes and basins, and dedicated computers for CFD simulations. Approximately twenty buildings are equipped with flow supplies and control offices for conducting hydraulic modeling, fish testing, air/gas flow modeling, and numerous other types of flow testing. Fully equipped and staffed carpentry, machine, and instrumentation shops provide rapid and efficient project support. These in-house shops permit use of informal model drawings and allow close interaction with crafts personnel to improve construction methods. Fixed facilities providing water flow and an inventory of movable flow related equipment are located on the premises (e.g., pumps, valves, meter devices, fish screens). Our separate air facilities provide a wide range of flows for studies involving wet stacks, air heaters, baghouses, and other components for the fossil power plant industry and air industry.
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