Distributed computational fluid dynamics

Computational fluid dynamics simulations of relevance to jet-engine design, for instance, are extremely computationally demanding and the use of large-scale distributed computing will allow the solution of problems that cannot be tackled using current resources. It is often appropriate to leave the large datasets generated by CFD codes local to the compute resource in use at the time. This naturally leads to a distributed database of results that will need to be federated as a coherent resource for the engineering community. We describe the use of Globus and Condor within Cambridge for sharing computer resources, progress on defining XML standards for the annotation of CFD datasets and a distributed database framework for them

Developing web services in a computational grid environment

Grid and Web services are both hot topics today. In this paper, we will present some ongoing work and planned future work at the Cambridge eScience Centre. After an introduction to these technologies in the context of Grid applications development, we describe two use-cases: a database of results in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and a small computational Grid for aircraft engineering design. As Grid services are moving towards Web services, we continue to make use of the Globus Toolkit v2.4 (GT2.4), without adopting the Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA) wholesale. In our scenario, GT2.4 integrates distributed computing resources including HPC and clusters while Web services wrap the scientific code as a service.Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, Shanghai, September 200

Applications of Grid techniques in the CFD field

Proceedings of "Integrating CFD and Experiments in Aerodynamics", Glasgow, UK, September 2003Besides the widely used Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) solver, Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) are becoming more and more practical in today's Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies. All these techniques are in constant pursuit of ever larger computing resources in order to produce acceptable and reasonable results. A new technique, the Grid technique, offers the possibility of aggregating the capabilities of geographically distributed computing resources. In this paper, a brief description of the Grid technique is presented followed by the current progress in the study of its application to CFD between the Cambridge eScience Centre and the CFD group at the Cambridge University Engineering Department

Validation and analysis of forward osmosis CFD model in complex 3D geometries

In forward osmosis (FO), an osmotic pressure gradient generated across a semi-permeable membrane is used to generate water transport from a dilute feed solution into a concentrated draw solution. This principle has shown great promise in the areas of water purification, wastewater treatment, seawater desalination and power generation. To ease optimization and increase understanding of membrane systems, it is desirable to have a comprehensive model that allows for easy investigation of all the major parameters in the separation process. Here we present experimental validation of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model developed to simulate FO experiments with asymmetric membranes. Simulations are compared with experimental results obtained from using two distinctly different complex three-dimensional membrane chambers. It is found that the CFD model accurately describes the solute separation process and water permeation through membranes under various flow conditions. It is furthermore demonstrated how the CFD model can be used to optimize membrane geometry in such as way as to promote the mass transfer

CFD investigation of a complete floating offshore wind turbine

This chapter presents numerical computations for floating offshore wind turbines for a machine of 10-MW rated power. The rotors were computed using the Helicopter Multi-Block flow solver of the University of Glasgow that solves the Navier-Stokes equations in integral form using the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian formulation for time-dependent domains with moving boundaries. Hydrodynamic loads on the support platform were computed using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics method. This method is mesh-free, and represents the fluid by a set of discrete particles. The motion of the floating offshore wind turbine is computed using a Multi-Body Dynamic Model of rigid bodies and frictionless joints. Mooring cables are modelled as a set of springs and dampers. All solvers were validated separately before coupling, and the loosely coupled algorithm used is described in detail alongside the obtained results

On the Influence of Hull Girder Flexibility on the Wave

Numerical predictions and model test results of the wave induced bending moments in a 9,400 TEU post-Panamax container vessel are presented for two regular wave scenarios. Different numerical procedures have been applied: a linear and non-linear time-domain strip theory and a direct calculation (CFD) solving the Navier-Stokes equations with the free surface captured by a volume-of-fluid (VOF) method. In all procedures the flexibility of the hull girder is modelled as anon-uniform Timoshenko beam. It is observed that the non-linear models agree well with the model tests and as there is no occurrence of severe slamming in the cases considered, the inexpensive non-linear strip theory is as accurate as the direct CFD calculation method. In a comparison with the results using the rigid body assumption, the increase in the vertical bending moment (VBM) amidships due to the flexibility of the hull girder is found to be approximately 7% (peak-to-peak amplitude) in general. The non-linear responses, however, contain over-harmonic frequencies which may coincide with the natural frequency of the two-node vertical bending mode inducing resonance. In that case the hull girder flexibility causes theresponses to increase as much as 22% (peak-to-peak amplitude) in one of the present cases

Regional distribution of photovoltaic deployment in the UK and its determinants: A spatial econometric approach

Photovoltaic (PV) panels offer significant potential for contributing to the UK's energy policy goals relating to decarbonisation of the energy system, security of supply and affordability. The substantive drop in the cost of panels since 2007, coupled with the introduction of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Scheme in 2010, has resulted in a rapid increase in installation of PV panels in the UK, from 26.5MWp in 2009 to over 5GW by the end of 2014. Yet there has been no comprehensive analysis of the determinants of PV deployment in the UK. This paper addresses this gap by employing spatial econometrics methods to a recently available data set at a fine geographical detail. Following a traditional regression analysis, a general to specific approach has been adopted where spatial variations in the relationships have been examined utilising the spatial Durbin model using the cross-sectional data relating to the UK NUTS level 3 data. Empirical results indicate that demand for electricity, population density, pollution levels, education level of households and housing types are among the factors that affect PV uptake in a region. Moreover Lagrange Multiplier test results indicate that the spatial Durbin model may be properly applied to describe the PV uptake relationship in the UK as there are significant regional spillover effects

Scenarios for the development of smart grids in the UK: literature review

Smart grids are expected to play a central role in any transition to a low-carbon energy future, and much research is currently underway on practically every area of smart grids. However, it is evident that even basic aspects such as theoretical and operational definitions, are yet to be agreed upon and be clearly defined. Some aspects (efficient management of supply, including intermittent supply, two-way communication between the producer and user of electricity, use of IT technology to respond to and manage demand, and ensuring safe and secure electricity distribution) are more commonly accepted than others (such as smart meters) in defining what comprises a smart grid. It is clear that smart grid developments enjoy political and financial support both at UK and EU levels, and from the majority of related industries. The reasons for this vary and include the hope that smart grids will facilitate the achievement of carbon reduction targets, create new employment opportunities, and reduce costs relevant to energy generation (fewer power stations) and distribution (fewer losses and better stability). However, smart grid development depends on additional factors, beyond the energy industry. These relate to issues of public acceptability of relevant technologies and associated risks (e.g. data safety, privacy, cyber security), pricing, competition, and regulation; implying the involvement of a wide range of players such as the industry, regulators and consumers. The above constitute a complex set of variables and actors, and interactions between them. In order to best explore ways of possible deployment of smart grids, the use of scenarios is most adequate, as they can incorporate several parameters and variables into a coherent storyline. Scenarios have been previously used in the context of smart grids, but have traditionally focused on factors such as economic growth or policy evolution. Important additional socio-technical aspects of smart grids emerge from the literature review in this report and therefore need to be incorporated in our scenarios. These can be grouped into four (interlinked) main categories: supply side aspects, demand side aspects, policy and regulation, and technical aspects.

Detailed Numerical Simulations of Turbulent Premixed Flames at Moderate and High Karlovitz Numbers

In generally accepted and applied flamelet combustion models, a turbulent flame is mainly assumed distorted by the large-scale turbulence eddies, whereas small-scale turbulence effects on the local flamelet structures are neglected. However, in a lot of industrial applications rather high turbulent intensities are often imposed, which induce turbulence scales at ranges smaller than the flame thickness. Flame/turbulence interaction appears quite different at these small scales, which is why improvement of the combustion models is required to account for these phenomena. In this thesis, direct numerical simulations (DNS) and large eddy simulations (LES) have been utilized for studies of lean premixed turbulent reactive flows at various turbulent intensities. DNS has been applied for detailed studies of flame-turbulence interaction to investigate flame structures and detailed chemistry effects at high Karlovitz numbers. Intensified convective-diffusive transport within the fine reaction zone layers is observed which is found to significantly alter the chemical pathway with, e.g., intensified heat release rate at low temperatures. Based on these observations a categorization, supplementary to the conventional one, is proposed, which is able to incorporate detailed chemistry effects into the classification of turbulent premixed flames at high Karlovitz numbers. The effect of differential diffusion was found significant, both globally (in terms of the fuel diffusion effect) and locally (in terms of the radical diffusion effect), also in the distributed reaction zone regime. LES was employed for a low swirl stabilized flame utilizing a flamelet combustion model approach. A dynamic modeling approach to incorporate sensitivity to local variations in the subgrid scale flame wrinkling was implemented and validated. The simulations showed high sensitivity of the prediction of turbulent flame fluctuations as well as ambient air entrainment rate into burned gases to inflow conditions and operating conditions. Lower sensitivity was found to domain size and combustion model. Overall the model results showed good agreement with the velocity and scalar validation data in the thin reaction zone regime. In order to analyze the influence of frequency specific coherent structures on the flame dynamics extended dynamic mode decomposition was performed which was able to delineate the effects of the inner and outer shear layer vorticity on the flame stabilization