Celebrating 40+ years of success

Drs. Hans K. Fauske, Robert E. Henry, and Michael A. Grolmes found Fauske & Associates, Inc. (FAI) after transitioning from the Argonne National Laboratory. The company name is later modified to Fauske & Associates, LLC.

FAI is selected as the technical leader and principal research contractor for the DIERS (Design Institute of Emergency Relief Systems) project. The mission included development of methods and tools for sizing a safe but not overly conservative emergency relief system (ERS) to accommodate two-phase flow and runaway chemical reactions.

FAI is selected by IDCOR (Industry Degraded Core Rulemaking Program) to provide technical leadership to resolve severe accident issues associated with the operation of a commercial light water reactor (LWR) nuclear power plants. This initiative was an integrated industry response to the degraded core accident at Three Mile Island (TMI) on March 28, 1979.

FAI starts developing the Modular Accident Analysis Program (MAAP) for modeling the severe accident response of a commercial light water reactor.

Large-scale DIERS blowdown tests performed at FAI were used to confirm vapor disengagement and flow regime methodologies.

• “Without data, all you have is an opinion” – phrase locally attributed to HK Fauske, emphasizing the importance of data in any process safety assessment

Large-scale DIERS chemical runaway reaction testing performed at FAI validated pressure relief and effluent handling models.

MAAP1 and MAAP2B software versions released.

The original DIERS Bench-Scale Apparatus, a significant achievement of the FAI-led DIERS research program, is commercialized as the Vent Sizing Package (VSP^TM).

Westinghouse Electric Company acquires FAI.

MAAP3 released.

Two-Phase Venting ERS Design Software (VSSP) released.

Direct Containment Heating (severe accident simulation) experiments conducted.

MARS (Modular Accident Response System) is first introduced to monitor and predict nuclear power plant response to abnormal or accident conditions.

Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) External Cooling Experiments performed at FAI

FAI introduces the Reactive System Screening Tool (RSST^TM) to more easily generate directly scalable data on runaway chemical reactions and thermal decompositions.

MAAP 3B-CANDU released.

Individual Plant Examinations (IPEs) to assess nuclear plants for severe accident vulnerabilities

FAI presents DIERS Multi-phase flow methodology.

Severe Accident Management Guidelines - Technical Basis.

MAAP4 and MAAP4-VVER released.

Hanford (DOE) Spent Nuclear Fuel Program (SNFP) initiated; FAI was on the review board.

FAI receives ISO 9001 certification.

Inaugural issue of FAI Process Safety Newsletter features an article by Jim Burelbach on pool fire experiments, an article by Joe Leung on sizing SRVs for flashing liquids, and new RSST software version 1.9

Polypropylene and Polyvinyl Chloride Simulation Software.

FAI offers Waterhammer Testing to address the requirements of the nuclear regulatory commission (NRC) generic letter GL 96-06.

Advanced Reactive System Screening Tool (ARSST) is introduced.

Hanford Spent Nuclear Fuel Project moves first fuel – FAI key contributor.

Super Magnetic Stirrer

Simplified screening methods for vapor, gassy, and hybrid system vent sizing is introduced.

Deflagration Venting Methodology is released.

The HANSF safety software earns a Department of Energy (DOE) Technology Innovation Award for Hanford applications related to the Spent Nuclear Fuels Project.

FATETM 2.0 facility modeling software released (previously HANSF), developed, and maintained under our NQA-1 compliant quality program.

Air Intrusion experiments completed to address commercial nuclear plant concerns.

VSP2 Software Version 4.3

FAI offers closed cell ARSST option for fast screening tests with pressure generation.

Dedication of a comprehensive Dust Explosion and Department of Transportation Testing Laboratory.

CE certification granted for ARSST and VSP2 adiabatic safety calorimeters. This certification recognizes these instruments meet the EU standards for health, safety, and environmental protection.

MAAP 5.0 release.

FATE software used for fire analysis of Oskarshamn-1.

FAI receives ISO 17025 accreditation to indicate that ISO and IEC's laboratory management system standard has been met.

Practical Emergency Vent Sizing Software (PrEVent) is released.

Dedication of the new Thermal Hydraulics Testing Facility.

Dedication of new state-of-the-art Combustible Dust Hazards Testing Lab and Education Center opened.

Dedication of new Reaction Calorimetry and Thermal Hazards Testing Laboratory to develop data for the desired and the adverse reactions to support fire-sizing and emergency relief system calculations.

MAAP 5.03 release includes post-Fukushima modifications.

Innovative Dual-bore Hydrogen Vent Design invented and proven by experiments to maintain safe hydrogen levels in Self Shielded Boxes (SSBs) of hazardous waste at the UK Sellafield site.

Named as a recipient of a prestigious NDA (Nuclear Decommissioning Authority) Supply Chain Award for technical work underpinning an estimated $1.3 billion in savings at the UK Sellafield site.

Flammability testing confirmed expanded metal mesh device technology could prevent deflagration to detonation transitions (DDT).

Fauske Emergency Relief System Tool (FERST powered by CHEMCAD) is released.

Published a groundbreaking journal article illustrating the use of the FAI FATE^TM safety software to predict airborne virus transport within a facility.

FAI receives Westinghouse award for innovative hydrogen venting design in support of Fukushima decommissioning