Modelling services for energy and process industry

VTT’s dynamic energy and process industry modelling services enable you to prototype different aspects of a system, test scenarios and optimise processes quickly and reliably. As a result, you can make better decisions and save time and money.
Key facts
Modelling allows you to achieve cost-savings by providing valuable insights into your systems and processes before taking any actions or making major investments.
Modelling and simulation can be used for anything from design to testing to analysing, training and operation support.
VTT offers an extensive modelling portfolio and source-code level expertise in industry-leading software such as Apros and OpenFOAM.
Our multidisciplinary approach combines modelling, testing and piloting, all under one roof.

Optimise systems with insightful modelling and simulation
Today’s industrial processes are becoming increasingly complex as new technologies are rolled out, old assets are used in new ways and new sectors are interconnected.
Present-day processes involve complicated geometry, chemical reactions, mass and heat transfer, multiphase flows, and complex rheology. All the while new, more efficient processes are needed to meet the growing demands in the energy and process industry to reduce emissions and utilise raw materials more economically.
Advanced modelling and simulation play a leading role in tackling these challenges. These tools allow us to get the most out of our systems by providing valuable insight before taking any actions or making major decisions. With modelling and simulation, we can, for instance, prototype different aspects of a system, test scenarios and optimise processes quickly and reliably. Technologies such as digital twins help us replicate behaviour and monitor and investigate processes.
As a result, you can gain new insights, eliminate errors, come up with novel solutions and build new services as well as achieve significant cost savings.
VTT offers an extensive modelling portfolio and source-code level expertise
At VTT, we offer a unique combination of modelling, testing and piloting, all under one roof. Thanks to our multidisciplinary team of experts, we can also bring in expertise from hydrogen-related technologies, grid development and technology, district heating and much more.
Our rich history in developing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) dates to the 1980s when we began developing our own models for different processes and applications. We have focused our development efforts especially on multiphase flow simulations.
When it comes to source-code level expertise, VTT houses some of the bright minds behind industry-leading software such as Apros.
We offer many simulation tools and services that help solve a variety of problems. The tools can be combined, allowing for co-simulating systems and processes. We develop models from lab scale to pilot scale and ultimately to industrial scale.
Our modelling services allow you to, for example:
- Design processes to meet your goals
- Improve the production process
- Assist process operations
- Design electrification of processes in a volatile energy grid
- Design Carbon Capture and Usage processes
- Test new fuels and their effects on boilers
- Confirm the correct components and dimensions of equipment
- Simulate accidents in a nuclear reactor
All this with no risk to safety or the environment, or loss of production time.
Key software we work with
Apros®
Apros is a dynamic analysis and simulation software product developed by VTT and Fortum. It is used to ensure the safety and efficiency of large-scale systems such as thermal and nuclear power plants or district heating and cooling networks. The bigger and more complex the system is, the more value Apros provides.
In addition to a wide variety of easy-to-use process component unit models, Apros has comprehensive libraries for modelling automation and electrical systems, all in interconnection. The software is best suited to model processes with e.g. water and steam, molten salt, oils and gases.
With Apros, you can:
- Reduce risks and conform with safety regulation with a safety analysis
- Check controls and dimensioning well in advance with engineering support
- Shorten commissioning time with automation testing
- Transfer knowledge with operator training.
Apros is a registered trademark of VTT and Fortum.
Aspen
Aspen is a steady-state simulation software for large-scale systems and processes. The established, industrial-standard modelling tool is particularly well-suited for modelling chemical reactions and carbon capture as well as distillation, conversion, and other complex processes. The captured data can be used for techno-economic or life-cycle analyses, for instance.
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
With CFD, we can model complex individual structures such as reactors in 3D. CFD can be used to design, optimise, trouble-shoot and redesign equipment.
OpenFOAM
OpenFOAM is a free, open source CFD software used to solve anything from complex single-phase, multiphase and reacting fluid flows. OpenFOAM enables massive parallel computing with up to thousands of processors operating concurrently. It’s the perfect R&D tool for the energy and process industry’s equipment and processes.
VTT is an active collaborator of the OpenFOAM Foundation, and we work closely with the lead developers of the software.

Ansys Fluent
Ansys Fluent is the industry-leading fluid simulation software that allows you to generate accurate and reliable fluid simulation results. With Ansys Fluent, we can model a large variety of industrial single- and multiphase flows.
VTT has developed numerous submodels to Ansys Fluent and combined CFD simulations with thermodynamic equilibrium software or with Apros code.

Download our guide about Process modelling and simulation
Our guide How to improve speed and flexibility in R&D and factory optimisation covers how modelling and simulation are used in industrial R&D, project proposal and delivery as well as production optimisation processes, what their key benefits for each process are, and how to choose a suitable partner for your modelling and simulation needs.
The experts behind VTT’s modelling services for energy and process industry

D.Sc. (Tech.) Timo Pättikangas works as a Principal Scientist and Research Team Leader of VTT's process modelling team. He has over 20 years of experience in industrial R&D projects. His fields of expertise include multiphase flow, evaporation and condensation. Currently, he is the project manager of the Green Engine CFD simulation Tool project in which OpenFOAM tools for internal combustion engines are being developed. Other projects he has managed include: CFD methods for reactor safety assessment, Development and validation of CFD methods for nuclear reactor safety assessment and OpenFOAM CFD solver for nuclear safety analysis.
How to work with us
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Contact us
Tell us what you want to do, and we will figure out how to do it. No project is too small or ambitious – we would love to hear from you. After the initial assessment, we can offer some of the following options.
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Customised partnership
Every research case is unique, and we’re happy to tailor our services to your needs. We will find the best computational methods to provide answers to whatever questions you may have.
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Cooperative project
We frequently participate in research and development projects with multiple business partners and funding agencies. In cooperative projects the risk is split between multiple organisations, and everyone benefits from the results.
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Our networks and ecosystems at your disposal
We are happy to put you in touch with the ideal sparring and development partner.