Antranova Engineering AB
When Technical Systems Don't Behave as They Should
Antranova helps companies and organisations investigate why complex technical systems do not function or perform as intended, identify underlying causes and opportunities for improvement, and provide a technical basis for decisions on optimisation, corrective actions and investments.
In complex technical systems, flow, pressure and heat interact with mechanical systems, electrical systems, automation and control. The system dynamics mean that changes in one part can affect the function and performance of the system as a whole.
When such a system does not function as intended, the cause is rarely found in a single component. It is often found in the interaction between several subsystems.
Antranova Engineering conducts independent technical investigations and systems analyses that provide a fact-based foundation for decisions on improvements, corrective actions and investments.
Clearly defined first step
An initial assignment is tailored to the specific technical question and may, for example, consist of a technical review, targeted troubleshooting, an independent review or a smaller analysis. Scope, deliverables and price are agreed once the problem and the available information have been defined.
Who you work with
Antanas Romas, Lic. Eng., has nearly thirty years of experience analysing why technical systems do not behave as expected – including development and validation of simulation models for complex facilities and verification of models against requirements and real plant behaviour. As a client, you work directly with the same specialist throughout the assignment.
When is Antranova the right partner?
Antranova is relevant when a technical system:
- does not reach the desired capacity
- shows recurring or hard-to-explain operational problems
- becomes unstable under certain operating conditions
- uses more energy or resources than expected
- delivers the wrong temperature, pressure or flow
- does not respond as expected to control signals
- requires a technical investigation before a rebuild or investment
- needs to be assessed from a system perspective, not component by component
What the customer gets help with
The customer gets help to:
- understand why the system does not perform as intended
- identify underlying causes and critical dependencies
- assess improvement opportunities
- reduce the risk of incorrect actions
- reduce the risk of unnecessary investments
- get a clear, traceable technical decision basis
Simulation, modelling, verification and advanced analysis are used when needed to answer the question – not as the service's main value.
Examples of technical questions
Technical problems often begin with a simple observation: a flow does not match expectations, a temperature varies, documentation appears incorrect, or a planned modification needs consequence assessment.
Below are examples of how such questions can be analysed in a structured way.
Unstable cooling or flow system
When a system does not deliver the expected flow despite individual components appearing to work, the cause may lie in the interaction between the pump, piping, valves, control system and operating conditions.
The analysis aims to identify likely causes and show which actions should be prioritised.
When documentation and reality do not match
In older or modified installations, drawings, operating instructions and the real installation may differ.
A technical system reconstruction can give a clearer picture of how the system actually works and where risks or uncertainties exist.
Consequence analysis before a technical change
A new component, changed operating strategy or modification can affect other parts of the system.
The analysis provides decision support before the change is implemented and reduces the risk of unexpected side effects.
Typical questions Antranova helps answer
- Why is the system not performing as designed?
- What happens if we change a pump, valve, control system or other equipment?
- Which components or dependencies are most critical to function?
- Why do unstable operation, pressure oscillations or unexpected transients occur?
- How can we verify that a proposed action really solves the problem?
- What decision support is needed before investing in a technical solution?
A concrete example
The wrong diagnosis can cost millions
The compressors in a facility worked as intended, but the pressure was still too low at the flow the production needed. The proposed action was to purchase additional compressor capacity – an investment in the millions. An analysis of the whole system, from the compressor station to the machines, showed that the problem was an excessive pressure drop in the piping network. The pipework was rebuilt with a larger diameter, the pressure problem disappeared, and the compressor investment was avoided.
A technical system that works can still perform poorly if the interaction between components and subsystems is not right.
Field analysis & system reconstruction
Inspection, measurement and recreation of system function – without requiring existing documentation. The foundation for all further analysis.
Analysis & modelling
Physics-based models to analyse system dynamics, identify underlying causes and assess the consequences of changes.
Actions & verification
Concrete, implementable solutions – with a clear plan for how they are confirmed to work in operation.
Training & competence support
Knowledge transfer through simplified models and simulators – adapted to the organisation's technical level and needs.
Independent technical review
Assessment of supplier material, calculation models and proposed actions from someone with no stake in the outcome.
How it works
Assignments follow a structured method chain – from first contact with the system to a verified solution in operation.
Technical breadth
Work is focused on complex technical systems where field understanding, system reconstruction, advanced modelling and verification need to connect. Assignments include analysis of flow, pressure, heat transfer, thermal hydraulics, electrical systems, automation, control, transients and system dynamics in industrial facilities and safety-critical environments.
Experience covers both real facilities and simulator-based environments, including development and verification of reactor models for full-scope simulators in nuclear facilities. Assignments in nuclear power and power generation are not currently offered.
Customer value
The goal is not to create more documentation or more models than necessary. The goal is to provide clear technical decision support.
- Focus on underlying causes rather than symptom treatment.
- Clear risks, dependencies and consequences as a basis for decisions.
- The work aims to remove the cause of recurring operational disturbances – with verification that the solution holds.
- Reduced risk at changes and investments.
- Function is tested against real operation before the solution is considered complete.
- Increased technical competence in the organisation.
AntraSIM — a tool for understanding
AntraSIM is Antranova's internal name for standalone demonstration and analysis models. They are used to show principles, test technical reasoning and communicate complex relationships in an understandable way. The simulator is not the goal in itself — it is a tool for understanding the system.
Describe the technical question
Briefly describe the system, the observed problem and the decision or change that needs support. A clearly defined first step can then be proposed based on the question and the information available.