Culligan's Innovative Water Softener: A Balance of Hydrodynamic Performance and Structural Integrity
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation
- Sensors - Utility Meters
Applicable Industries
- Equipment & Machinery
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Intelligent Urban Water Supply Management
- Leakage & Flood Monitoring
Services
- Testing & Certification
About The Customer
Culligan Matrix Solutions is a renowned leader in the water treatment industry with a history spanning 75 years. The company is known for using state-of-the-art analysis, engineering tools, and testing facilities to develop some of the most advanced water treatment products globally. Culligan products are sold in over 90 countries, with a strong market presence in France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, and Holland. The company holds an impressive portfolio of over 300 patents, further cementing its position as a pioneer in water treatment solutions.
The Challenge
Culligan Matrix Solutions, a leader in water treatment, faced a significant challenge in developing a new water softener. The company aimed to create a device that used less salt than any other product on the market, minimized water pressure losses, and utilized the least amount of material possible. This ambitious project required a delicate balance between hydrodynamic performance and structural integrity. The R&D team needed to employ both fluid dynamics and structural mechanics simulations to achieve these goals. The challenge was not only to meet these stringent requirements but also to do so in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner.
The Solution
Culligan partnered with QuEST Global, a provider of a wide range of engineering solutions, to tackle this challenge. They utilized ANSYS software tools, which could be applied to both fluid dynamics and structural mechanics simulations. ANSYS geometry tools simplified the geometry, reducing the time required to obtain simulation results. The team used ANSYS CFX, a two-phase fluid dynamics capability, to model the movement of brine and water in the valve. This allowed them to capture the suction effect while modeling a multicomponent mixture of raw water and brine solution. The pressure results from the fluid simulation were then transferred to ANSYS Mechanical software to predict stresses and deflections within the valve. This comprehensive approach enabled the team to balance design trade-offs between hydrodynamic performance and structural integrity.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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