Boundary element solution of Poisson\u27s equations in axisymmetric laminar flows

The primitive variable Navier-Stokes equations may be replaced by two equations using the derived variable of vorticity. These equations model separately the kinematic and kinetic parts of the problem. Two boundary element solutions for the kinematic equations were developed for axisymmetric flow geometries. The first was based on the fluid mechanics analogy of the Biot and Savart formula for the magnetic effects of a current. The second was the solution of the vector Poisson\u27s velocity equation using the direct boundary element equation. Numerical integration algorithms were developed which were used for all integrals;Integral solutions for Poisson\u27s pressure equation and Poisson\u27s vector potential equation were derived using the direct boundary element equation. The equations were integrated using the algorithms developed for the velocity solutions;The axisymmetric laminar Navier-Stokes solution was completed by solving the kinetic vorticity transport equation with finite difference methods. Two finite difference methods developed for the complete 2 dimensional non-linear Burger\u27s equation were modified for use on the axisymmetric form of the vorticity transport equation;This complete Navier-Stokes solution was then used to verify the form of the six boundary element equations and the accuracy of the integration algorithm developed. This was done by solving three steady state flow problems and one time dependent flow problem which were designed to simulate flow in power hydraulic components;Flow problems were encountered which produced ill-conditioned kinematic systems with attendant unstable solutions and large errors. Solution algorithms were developed which stabilized the associated matrix operator and improved solution performance. The method is based on the theory and numerical methods of Tikhonov regularization as it applies to linear algebraic systems of equations

Report from the conference, ‘identifying obstacles to applying big data in agriculture’

Data-centric technology has not undergone widespread adoption in production agriculture but could address global needs for food security and farm profitability. Participants in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funded conference, “Identifying Obstacles to Applying Big Data in Agriculture,” held in Houston, TX, in August 2018, defined detailed scenarios in which on-farm decisions could benefit from the application of Big Data. The participants came from multiple academic fields, agricultural industries and government organizations and, in addition to defining the scenarios, they identified obstacles to implementing Big Data in these scenarios as well as potential solutions. This communication is a report on the conference and its outcomes. Two scenarios are included to represent the overall key findings in commonly identified obstacles and solutions: “In-season yield prediction for real-time decision-making”, and “Sow lameness.” Common obstacles identified at the conference included error in the data, inaccessibility of the data, unusability of the data, incompatibility of data generation and processing systems, the inconvenience of handling the data, the lack of a clear return on investment (ROI) and unclear ownership. Less common but valuable solutions to common obstacles are also noted

Boundary element solution of Poisson's equations in axisymmetric laminar flows

The primitive variable Navier-Stokes equations may be replaced by two equations using the derived variable of vorticity. These equations model separately the kinematic and kinetic parts of the problem. Two boundary element solutions for the kinematic equations were developed for axisymmetric flow geometries. The first was based on the fluid mechanics analogy of the Biot and Savart formula for the magnetic effects of a current. The second was the solution of the vector Poisson's velocity equation using the direct boundary element equation. Numerical integration algorithms were developed which were used for all integrals;Integral solutions for Poisson's pressure equation and Poisson's vector potential equation were derived using the direct boundary element equation. The equations were integrated using the algorithms developed for the velocity solutions;The axisymmetric laminar Navier-Stokes solution was completed by solving the kinetic vorticity transport equation with finite difference methods. Two finite difference methods developed for the complete 2 dimensional non-linear Burger's equation were modified for use on the axisymmetric form of the vorticity transport equation;This complete Navier-Stokes solution was then used to verify the form of the six boundary element equations and the accuracy of the integration algorithm developed. This was done by solving three steady state flow problems and one time dependent flow problem which were designed to simulate flow in power hydraulic components;Flow problems were encountered which produced ill-conditioned kinematic systems with attendant unstable solutions and large errors. Solution algorithms were developed which stabilized the associated matrix operator and improved solution performance. The method is based on the theory and numerical methods of Tikhonov regularization as it applies to linear algebraic systems of equations.</p