During the company's 50 year history, it has performed consulting
services in those areas where its staff members have recognized capabilities.
For the reader's convenience a number of illustrative consulting category areas are
outlined below. In all cases, the company performs such consulting on a
proprietary and confidential manner to the client.
Thermal Physics Consulting for Industry and Government
Over the years the company has won and successfully
carried out heat transfer, fluid flow and materials science and technology programs,
and has also been asked to perform special energy savings consulting programs.
One example is to make comparative R value evaluations of low density insulations,
mass insulations and radiant barrier insulations. Such comparisons require mathematical
modeling of the thermal resistances and thermal capacitances of the insulation elements
as well as radiant barrier resistances (composed of low infrared emissivity surfaces of
air spaces).
Nuclear Reactor Technologies
Staff members and associates of Geoscience have recognized
backgrounds in a number of reactor areas; for example staff members and
associates have played important roles in this field while at the Oak Ridge
National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory; some example areas follow:
Energy Conservation Technologies
At times, Geoscience is requested by industry to evaluate ways
of reducing energy usage both in summer and winter by applying new heat transfer
methodologies in residences and commercial buildings. The methodologies relate
to better thermal insulation systems, the reductions of solar radiation absorption
on roofs and walls by the use of solar reflective coatings, etc.
The use of solar collectors to preheat building water in the daytime is studied. The cooling of water during nights is also evaluated.
It is clear that there can be significant energy savings advantages in considering recognized "green concepts" that can be utilized in the architectural and building areas. Some examples follow here.
Solar Reflectance Index
The solar reflectance index is a function of the solar reflectivity (ASTM E-1918), the infrared emissivity (ASTM E-408), and three convective conductances. Geoscience measures and calculates these parameters for its clients.
Urban Heat Island Effect
The so called heat island effect results in urban areas because low solar reflective surfaces absorb solar heat and raise ground and building surface temperatures and ambient air temperatures to high, undesirable levels in the summer time. Again, solar reflectivity and infrared emissivity measurements are used to evaluate this heating effect.
Building Envelope Mass Insulation
If a building envelope insulation is chosen that also has mass (thermal capacitance) in addition to thermal resistance (usually low density fiberglass or reflective foil), additional energy can be saved during the periodic heating and cooling cycles to which building envelopes are exposed. Geoscience does both thermal testing and mathematical periodic heat transfer modeling for such building envelope systems for its clients.
Green Roofs
A movement has been activated in the U.S.A. to design and construct "Green Roofs" that have three advantageous features, namely, 1) the utilization of space on a flat roof to grow plants, 2) save additional energy resulting from the capacitance of the roof insulation, and 3) reduce interior noise levels from exterior noises. Geoscience measures the thermal properties of the elements comprising the green roof, measures interior noise levels and makes periodic heat flow thermal model energy savings evaluations for its clients.
Animal Shelter Design Improvements
The comfort level and safety of agricultural animals housed in structures need some attention. If the structures do not have enough thermal resistance or capacitance or if the surface solar reflectivity of the structures are poor in the summer time, animal health can be endangered. In the winter time, if the building envelope insulation is inadequate, animal discomfort can likewise result. Therefore, some of the green concepts outlined above might be of value in the design and fabrication of agricultural structures.
Agricultural Technologies
One of Geoscience's staff members has had experience in preventing
fruit tree damage during cold front and clear winter night conditions by means of
orchard heaters and wind machines. Theoretical as well as experimental studies of
citrus fruit temperature increases through orchard heater radiation can be applied
to practical field orchard heater usage. Low temperature air flow drifts through
orchards can be predicted and possible ways of reducing associated damage outlined.
Also, the effect of irrigation to cause stored soil heat to be added to the air
layers in which trees exist can be quantified.
Forest Fire Support Technologies
A staff member of Geoscience has experience in forest and scrub
land fire propagation during drought periods when fire spread is prevalent.
In addition, the company has assisted the government in monitoring heat transfer
rates and temperature profiles in soils in test forest regions where burn-overs
are being studied.
Heat Flux Transducers
Because of the company's capability in heat flux transducer technology,
it is called upon, at times to assist the government and industry in special heat
flux transducer development. One of the company's staff members was one of the early
researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, who developed heat flux
transducer steady state and transient characteristics; that work was funded by the
forerunner of NASA, namely, NACA.
At times Geoscience designs and fabricates low, normal and high temperature transducers composed of plastics for low and normal temperate applications as well as ceramic units for the high temperature applications. The company has equipment utilized for transducer calibration. ASTM standards that outline important heat flux transducer concepts are C-1041 and C-1046.
In addition Geoscience assists industrial organizations who wish to make duct insulation heat loss measurements in the field; specifically, Geoscience procures heat flux transducers, surface thermocouples and millivolt read out equipment for the client..
Electronic Component Cooling Technologies
In order to increase power levels of electronic components, the
corresponding cooling requirements have increased significantly as time goes on.
This means that improved fin conduction materials, forced cooling via air flow
or liquid cooling are being considered and/or utilized. Geoscience has significant
capabilities in the quantitative description of conduction, radiation and force
flow convection cooling heat transfer that can be used to maximize heat removal
and minimize electronic component sizes.
Trade Literature Preparation Service
It is of prime importance that new product manufacturers in their
trade literature stress the value of the new products and reference correct
principles that govern the product performance. It is also important that such
literature cite industrial requirements and agencies that oversee the product line.
Further, clients sometimes overlook applications that could be included in such
literature documentation. Marketing literature information should be completely
accurate, so that there are no misunderstandings, thereby guaranteeing maximum
sales opportunities and minimum legal problems.
Let Geoscience help you prepare or review your marketing literature for technical accuracy.
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