About ThermoTun-OnlineThermoTun-Online is owned and operated by VORD Consulting Ltd using a licensed copy of ThermoTun*. All queries related to the use of the ThermoTun-Online should be emailed to support@thermotun-online.com VORD Consulting Ltd does not offer a technical support service. In the event that a query related to the software itself cannot be addressed directly, it will be raised with Dundee Tunnel Research on your behalf. However, users are wholly responsible for any use that is made of the simulations. The four main options for using ThermoTun and ThermoTun-Online are described below and the capabilities of the various versions of the software package are summarised in a comparison table. *About ThermoTunThe full version of ThermoTun is probably the most powerful, comprehensive and accurate software in the world for the design and analysis of airflows, pressures and temperatures in train:tunnel systems. Only a few companies undertake sufficient work in train:tunnel systems to justify the licensing of the full version of the software. Most users need only a few simulations for a specific project. For this purpose, they may either (i) use ThermoTun-Online or (ii) commission simulations with the full version of ThermoTun from existing licensees. The main ThermoTun website is www.ThermoTun.com. |
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Ways to use ThermoTun and ThermoTun-Online
Option-1: ThermoTun-Online (Demo version - no fee)
The simplest version of ThermoTun-Online enables you to run pre-defined tunnel configurations. You can choose values of key parameters from pre-set lists and download predicted airflows and pressures. This facility will be sufficient for persons wishing to understand physical phenomena either for general purposes or for academic comparisons.
Option-2: ThermoTun-Online (Professional version)
The pre-defined configurations are representative of real tunnels. If they include the particular configuration that you need to assess, you can specify design-specific dimensions and therefore use the software for practical design. This facility is offered on a commercial basis. The charge for each run is small, but remember that proper professional design necessarily includes assessing the sensitivity of predictions to values of parameters such as resistance coefficients. You will need to make several simulations to infer such information.
Option-3: ThermoTun (Consultancies)
If the tunnel configuration you need is not included in ThermoTun-Online or you value professional expertise, you should contact an existing licensee of the full version of the software. Usually, they will be pleased to undertake simulations on your behalf or, if you prefer, to participate more fully in the design process. They specialise in the design of train:tunnel systems and can offer a highly cost-effective service.
Option-4: ThermoTun (Licences)
If you foresee continuing involvement over several years - either for the design of one particular tunnel system or for multiple projects - it might be worth Licensing ThermoTun yourself. In addition to the software package, you will then have direct access to a personalised service from Dundee Tunnel Research, which benefits from almost 40 years experience in the design of major tunnels as well as from the development of leading software such as ThermoTun.
Three-dimensional analyses
There are some things that ThermoTun-Online and ThermoTun cannot do. In particular, the software cannot simulate three-dimensional phenomena in detail. It uses loss coefficients to allow for large-scale consequences of some three-dimensional phenomena, but it does not model detailed flows around three-dimensional objects or local variations in pressure around train circumferences, etc. Also, it does not model turbulent eddies and wake flows explicitly. Instead, it averages values over the tunnel cross-section and tells you how these averages vary along the tunnel. If you want to study lateral forces on trains or to assess the effectiveness of particular streamlined shapes, or to model fire spread within a coach, you will need the capability offered by 3D-CFD packages. You will also need a lot more time and a lot more money, but that is only fair - because you will be asking someone to allocate hugely more computational resources than are needed by ThermoTun.
Available versions of ThermoTun
| ThermoTun-Online |
ThermoTun-Online |
ThermoTun |
ThermoTun |
|
| Tunnel configuration |
Pre-defined topology; - restricted choice of dimensions. |
Pre-defined topology; - free choice of dimensions. |
User-defined topology; - multiple tunnel sections, shafts, passages, fans, etc. |
User-defined topology; - multiple tunnel sections, shafts, passages, fans, pollution sources, fires etc. |
| Trains |
Simple geometry - restricted choice of length, area, resistance and speed; Pre-defined route. |
Simple geometry - free choice of length, area, resistance and speed; Pre-defined route. |
User-defined locos, coaches, wagons, etc; User-defined speed history including starting, stopping & reversing. User-defined route through tunnel system, |
User-defined locos, coaches, wagons, etc; User-defined speed history including starting, stopping & reversing. User-defined route through tunnel system, |
| Analysis |
Calculation of pressure waves and unsteady airflows using the Method of Characteristics; Accurate modelling of pressures and air flows; No modelling of thermal effects. |
Calculation of pressure waves and unsteady airflows using the Method of Characteristics; Accurate modelling of pressures and air flows; No modelling of thermal effects. |
Calculation of pressure waves and unsteady airflows using the Method of Characteristics; Accurate modelling of pressures and air flows; No modelling of thermal effects. |
Calculation of pressure waves and unsteady airflows using the Method of Characteristics; Accurate modelling of pressures, air flows and thermal effects (including fire and thermal conduction in tunnel linings). |
| Output (Graphical and tabular) |
Pressures and air flow rates at pre-defined locations in the tunnel and along the train. |
Pressures and air flow rates at pre-defined locations in the tunnel and along the train. |
Pressures, air flow rates, train drag, comfort parameters and statistics at user-defined locations in the tunnel system and along trains |
Pressures, air flow rates, temperatures, heat flows, train drag, comfort parameters and statistics at user-defined locations in the tunnel system and along trains |
ThermoTun-Online Company Information
ThermoTun-Online is a trading name of VORD Consulting Ltd.
Contact
support@thermotun-online.com