FLOW-3D
FLOW-3D is a specialized computational fluid dynamics software providing highly accurate simulations of free-surface flows to help engineers solve complex hydraulic, casting, and additive manufacturing challenges effectively.
Qatium
Qatium is an open water management platform that provides utilities and engineers with a digital twin to simulate scenarios, optimize operations, and improve water network performance and efficiency.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | FLOW-3D | Qatium |
|---|---|---|
| Website | flow3d.com | qatium.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 0 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1980 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Santa Fe, USA | Valencia, Spain |
Overview
FLOW-3D
FLOW-3D gives you a powerful toolset for modeling complex fluid motion with a specific focus on free-surface flows. You can simulate how liquids interact with solid structures, track bubbles or droplets, and analyze thermal effects in high-precision engineering environments. It uses a unique grid-based approach that simplifies your meshing process while maintaining extreme accuracy for moving boundaries and intricate geometries.
You can apply this technology across diverse fields including civil hydraulics, metal casting, and microfluidics. Whether you are designing a dam spillway or optimizing a laser powder bed fusion process, the software provides the physical insights needed to reduce physical prototyping costs. It is designed for professional engineers and researchers who require high-fidelity results for transient, three-dimensional fluid dynamics problems.
Qatium
Qatium provides you with a simple, browser-based digital twin of your water network. By uploading your existing GIS and hydraulic data, you can create a live model that helps you visualize how water moves through your system. You can simulate real-world scenarios like pipe bursts, pump failures, or fire flow demands without affecting your actual infrastructure.
The platform is designed for water utilities of all sizes, from small rural districts to large municipal operators. You can use it to identify leaks, optimize pressure zones, and plan maintenance schedules more effectively. Because it runs in the cloud, you can collaborate with your entire team and external consultants in real-time using a single source of truth for your network data.
Overview
FLOW-3D Features
- TruVOF Tracking Track the interface between liquids and gases with industry-leading precision to see exactly how your fluid behaves.
- FAVOR™ Meshing Define complex geometric shapes within a simple rectangular grid to save hours of manual meshing time while maintaining accuracy.
- Multi-Physics Suite Combine fluid flow with heat transfer, phase change, and surface tension to simulate realistic environmental and industrial conditions.
- Sediment Transport Predict how sand and silt will erode or deposit in hydraulic structures to ensure long-term infrastructure stability.
- Fluid-Structure Interaction Model how your solid parts deform or move in response to fluid pressure to prevent structural failures.
- High-Performance Computing Run massive simulations across multiple processors to get your results faster and meet tight project deadlines.
Qatium Features
- Digital Twin Creation. Upload your GIS files and hydraulic models to build a functional digital replica of your entire water system in minutes.
- Scenario Simulation. Test the impact of pipe breaks, valve closures, or hydrant flushes to see how they affect pressure and service.
- Live Data Integration. Connect your SCADA systems and IoT sensors to see real-time performance data alongside your predictive hydraulic models.
- Fire Flow Analysis. Run automated fire flow tests across your network to ensure you meet safety requirements and identify weak points.
- Water Quality Tracking. Monitor water age and chlorine residuals throughout your pipes to maintain high standards and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Collaborative Workspace. Share your models with colleagues and stakeholders through a simple web link to streamline planning and emergency response.
Pricing Comparison
FLOW-3D Pricing
Qatium Pricing
- Up to 500 nodes
- GIS and EPANET imports
- Basic scenario simulation
- Unlimited users
- Community support
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited nodes
- Live SCADA integration
- Advanced water quality modeling
- Priority technical support
- Custom data connectors
Pros & Cons
FLOW-3D
Pros
- Unmatched accuracy for free-surface and splashing liquid simulations
- Faster setup times due to the rectangular meshing approach
- Excellent technical support from highly specialized fluid dynamics experts
- Robust physics models for specialized metal casting processes
Cons
- Significant hardware requirements for high-resolution 3D simulations
- Steep learning curve for users new to CFD
- High entry cost compared to general-purpose simulation tools
Qatium
Pros
- Extremely fast setup compared to traditional modeling software
- Intuitive interface requires no specialized hydraulic training
- Browser-based access eliminates complex IT installations
- Generous free tier for small water systems
Cons
- Advanced hydraulic features may require Pro subscription
- Requires high-quality GIS data for best results
- Limited offline capabilities for field use