Highlighted projects

Introduction:

Canal del Dique is a man-made navigational channel connecting the Magdalena River with the Bay of Cartagena, Colombia. It has a complex dynamic, since, during flood conditions, water, sediments and nutrients are exchanged between the canal and a series of wetlands that surround it. Furthermore, the transported sediment discharged in the Bay of Cartagena risk environmental damage.

The Problem:

In order to stop the sediment flow into the Bay of Cartagena, the channel is planned to be closed out, with navigation locks being constructed at both ends. However, the flow of water and nutrients into the wetland need to be maintained, since that was naturally occurring, so a series of control structures have being projected. In order to design the required engineering works, the current and future dynamic of the system need to be throughoutly understood.

Our contribution:

HCS built a series of 2D numerical models to simulate the water, sediment and nutrient dynamics of the system, both under current and project conditions. The models provided key input for the design of the engineering project. HCS also performed CFD modeling to verify the design of the main flow structure that will regulate inflow to the system under project conditions.

Introduction:

The inlet manifold on an Condensed Gas treatment station receives a mixture of gas, water, and Condensed Gas, that flow towards three separation units.

The Problem:

Operational records showed that liquid distribution among the separators was highly uneven, with a greater proportion of liquid consistently reaching the last unit. This imbalance generated level control problems and intermittent slugs, compromising system stability.

Our Contribution:

HCS developed a conceptual CFD model of the system using multiphase flow simulation tools to analyze the phase distribution mechanisms. The uneven phase distribution was traced back to flow stratification within the manifold: gas tended to concentrate in the upper section, while the heavier liquid phases accumulated near the bottom and were carried mostly to the last outlet. This condition required corrective measures to ensure a more balanced allocation of phases among the separators, reducing risks of operational inefficiencies and equipment stress. Several remediation alternatives were evaluated, with alternatives showing varying degrees of effectiveness. These results provided key technical input for decision-making regarding future system modifications.

Introduction:

The Paraná - Río de la Plata waterway is critical for regional navigation, linking inland ports with the Atlantic Ocean. Their hydrodynamic behavior is influenced both by upstream fluvial discharges and downstream tidal and meteorological effects. Anticipating river levels along this corridor is essential to ensure safe navigation and optimize vessel operations.

The Problem:

Traditional forecasting methods relied on simplified assumptions about river level variability, which were insufficient to capture short-term fluctuations driven by tides, rainfall, and upstream reservoir operations. As a result, operators faced significant uncertainty when scheduling vessel movements, especially during extreme low-water or storm surge events. A more reliable, data-driven forecasting system was required to support decision-making along the main navigational channel.

Our Contribution:

HCS is developing neural-network-based forecasting models tailored to the Paraná - Río de la Plata waterway. For the Paraná, the models incorporate upstream gauge data and tidal influences, achieving accurate level predictions up to 7 days in advance. For the Río de la Plata, the models also include tidal decomposition and wind forcing, allowing reliable forecasts across multiple estuarine stations. The approach aims to reduce prediction errors compared with existing methods. These tools will serve as a foundation for improving navigation planning and ensuring operational safety along the waterway.

Introduction:

The coastal waters of Buenos Aires are strongly influenced by discharges from urban rivers, creeks, and stormwater outfalls. These inputs, many of them untreated or only partially treated, degrade water quality and limit recreational use of the shoreline. At the same time, new infrastructure works to intercept and treat contaminated flows present an opportunity for environmental recovery.

The Problem:

The shoreline receives pollutants from multiple sources across the metropolitan area, including major tributaries such as the Matanza-Riachuelo and Luján rivers, as well as local urban streams and drainage conduits. Driven by tidal currents that often run parallel to the coast, contaminants tend to accumulate nearshore, producing zones where water quality fails to meet standards for recreational uses. Understanding the relative importance of different sources and testing remediation options required a robust, site-specific modeling framework.

Our Contribution:

HCS updated and expanded a numerical modeling system for the Río de la Plata, migrating to an unstructured-mesh hydrodynamic model coupled with a contaminant transport module. The model was calibrated using extensive monitoring data and validated against observed concentrations of key parameters such as dissolved oxygen, nutrients, bacteria, and heavy metals. Different remediation scenarios were simulated, including the operation of new interceptor systems and varying levels of pollution control in upstream basins. The results identified the most critical sources of contamination, quantified the improvements achievable under different strategies, and provided a science-based basis for defining future water quality management policies along the Buenos Aires waterfront.

Introduction:

The design of large spillway structures requires careful evaluation of hydraulic performance to ensure safe discharge of extreme floods and effective energy dissipation downstream. Complex geometries, high velocities, and the interaction between water and air make these systems difficult to assess without advanced modeling tools.

The Problem:

The design team indicated uncertainties in discharge capacity, the efficiency of energy dissipation in the stilling basin, and had concerns about the potential flooding of the gallery around the bottom discharger. A detailed three-dimensional analysis was needed to evaluate alternative geometries and confirm the adequacy of the design.

Our Contribution:

HCS implemented a series of CFD models using OpenFOAM to simulate the spillway crest, chute, and stilling basin. The models resolved free-surface air–water flows under different gate openings and discharges, testing both the original and optimized geometries. The analysis demonstrated that the refined crest profile improved discharge efficiency, while the modified chute successfully eliminated undesired flooding of the bottom discharger gallery. In the stilling basin, the models confirmed that the hydraulic jump remained contained within the structure and that high-velocity zones were properly confined. These results provided key input for validating the design prior to construction and for guiding future physical model testing.

Introduction:

The construction of an outfall requires trench excavation and backfilling operations in an estuary. These works inevitably generate suspended sediment plumes, which can be transported by currents and potentially affect water intakes, coastal areas, and recreational uses.

The Problem:

Dredging and disposal operations temporarily increase suspended sediment concentrations above natural background levels. Given the proximity of water intakes and urban shorelines, it was essential to assess whether turbidity peaks could pose risks to water supply infrastructure or create visible impacts along the coast. Understanding both typical and extreme hydrometeorological conditions was key to quantifying these effects.

Our Contribution:

HCS developed and validated a hydrodynamic and sediment transport model of the estuary using unstructured meshes to capture the local dynamics of dredging operations. Simulations reproduced the formation and dispersion of turbidity plumes under different scenarios of dredging, disposal, and meteorological forcing. The study also proposed monitoring strategies, including real-time turbidity sensors, to ensure operational transparency and support adaptive management during construction.

Introduction:

Large dams exposed to strong winds and wave action require protective parapet walls to safeguard their structures. Designing these walls demands a reliable understanding of how extreme waves interact with them, since wave impacts can generate significant forces, pressures, and overturning moments.

The Problem:

Uncertainties existed regarding the magnitude of forces and moments that waves of different return periods could impose on the parapet wall. Traditional design approaches, based on simplified formulas, risked underestimating peak loads and overlooking localized pressure distributions. A more detailed analysis was required to validate the design and ensure its safety under extreme hydrodynamic conditions.

Our Contribution:

HCS developed a CFD model using OpenFOAM to simulate the interaction between incident waves and the parapet wall. The study tested two design storm scenarios, corresponding to 10-year and 100-year recurrence periods. The model provided time histories of forces, moments, and pressure distributions on the structure, capturing both global loads and localized peaks. Results showed that the design could withstand the expected hydrodynamic impacts, while also identifying conservative conditions for essential input for confirming the wall’s performance under extreme events.

Introduction:

Expanding urban water supply often requires the construction of new diversion structures on mountain streams. These works modify the flow regime and can affect upstream inundation areas and downstream hydraulic conditions. Anticipating such impacts is critical for ensuring both the reliability of water supply and the safety of the surrounding environment.

The Problem:

The planned diversion weir raised questions about how flood events of different magnitudes would alter water levels, inundation extents, and flow regimes in the affected reach. A combined hydrological and hydraulic modeling approach was required to provide robust predictions.

Our Contribution:

HCS carried out an integrated hydrological and hydraulic study to quantify the impacts of the proposed structure. Hydrological modeling with long-term rainfall and flow records established design discharges for return periods up to 500 years. A detailed two-dimensional hydraulic model was then implemented to simulate the river both in natural conditions and with the weir in place. The results showed how the structure modifies inundation patterns, backwater effects, and flow regimes, particularly under extreme scenarios. The study provided essential technical input to validate the design and to support decision-making on flood safety and environmental compatibility.

Introduction:

The Oil & Gas Industry requires the use of flow control valves operating under high-pressure conditions are exposed to intense hydraulic stresses. Localized pressure drops and the presence of suspended particles can lead to damaging phenomena such as cavitation and surface erosion, threatening both performance and durability.

The Problem:

Repeated damage had been observed in certain valves, suggesting a combined effect of cavitation and particle erosion. However, the precise mechanisms responsible for the wear were not fully understood. A detailed investigation was required to identify the underlying causes and guide improvements in design and operation.

Our Contribution:

HCS conducted a series of CFD simulations using OpenFOAM to analyze fluid flow through the valve at different operating gaps. The models captured velocity fields, pressure distributions, and cavitation risk zones, as well as particle trajectories and impact locations on internal surfaces. Results confirmed that both cavitation and particle erosion contributed to the observed damage, with clear correspondence between predicted and real wear zones. The study provided key technical input for developing design improvements and mitigation strategies to extend valve lifespan and reliability.