The Stokes computer program is able to run simulations and predict a possible explosion, as well as the damage that accompanies it.
Unicamp researchers developed the first national software capable of predicting the risk of accidental explosions based on mathematical models. The research that led to the development of the program, called STOKES, was coordinated by the professor at Faculty of Chemical Engineering (FEQ) from Unicamp, Sávio Vianna. The final STOKES code was created in collaboration with Tatiele Ferreira, his former doctoral student.
The software calculates damage from explosions in Chemical Industries based on computer simulations. The invention can also be applied to scenarios such as gas stations, to prevent accidents like the one that occurred in Rio Claro in 2021. On that occasion, a truck caught fire at a gas station, causing an explosion that left deaths and damage.
The program had a registration request filed by Inova Unicamp Innovation Agency near to National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and is licensed, on a non-exclusive basis, for research and experimental classes at the Universidad San Buenaventura, in Colombia. The equipment is also available for licensing with a focus on the business market, considering its use in industry and the service sector. For other universities that are interested in the equipment, licensing is offered free of charge.
Explosion prevention equipment
STOKES is a national, accessible and financially viable technology, aimed at preventing explosions and damage that accompany such accidents, considering all the details of a plant. The program makes simulations about how the explosion would happen and its radius of reach and destruction and numerically calculates the damage. It thus becomes an important tool for developing containment and risk management plans in companies that work with flammable and explosive products.
Based on the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) technique, the program is divided into parts that reach five thousand programming lines. The CFD technique allows the numerical resolution of the equations that govern fluid flow - in this case, reactive turbulent flow reactions (combustion).
To comply with procedural effectiveness, the equipment needs to be licensed for the private sector and made available on the market for use in industries focused on preventing explosions. Professor Vianna celebrates the effectiveness of the studies and the reach of a completely national technology. “The development of technology is an example of the fundamental concept of the public university. We train human resources throughout the production of the equipment. We created a computer program capable of serving society in preventing damage caused by explosions. Furthermore, it is a completely national invention that can also meet demands from abroad”, comments Vianna.
Licensing for research and innovation
The licensing of the software was carried out in 2021 by the Inova Unicamp Innovation Agency for the Universidad San Buenaventura, thinking about its use in practical tests and sampling the invention for students at that university. The institution intends to use the device in classes on explosions as a way of helping students train, generating new knowledge and possible updates to the software. “The technology is licensed on a non-exclusive basis and is also open to commercial partners. San Buenaventura University is our partner in the process of studying and improving the equipment”, explains Vianna.
By invention, the Sávio Vianna received the Kurt Politzer Prize in the researcher category. The prize is organized by ABIQUIM – Brazilian Chemical Industry Association.
Inventors awarded in this licensing:
Prof. Sávio Souza Venâncio Vianna (Faculty of Chemical Engineering) and Tatiele Dalfior Ferreira were awarded in the Licensed Intellectual Property category at the Inventores 2022 Awards.
This report is part of the series produced by Inova Unicamp about some of the licensed technologies. They can be accessed at Inova website and also in e-book format at Inventors Award Magazine (scheduled for release in June). A webinar with content on intellectual property and technology transfer is also scheduled for June 8th, with Registration open to the general public.
Check out all the winners on Unicamp Inventors Award website.
