Computational Resources for Reacting and Multi-phase Flow

Computational power is now getting to the point where multiphase physics can seriously be investigated, and at Southampton, we can do some really serious investigation. Also, I am a member of the UK turbulence consortium, which has a large slice of compute time on HECToR. A research fellowship gave me the freedom to write a complete general purpose finite volume code designed for multiphase flow, with mesh generators, menu driven setup programs etc. Also, since measuring multiphase flow is so difficult we have also developed a psuedo-spectral point-particle DNS code to investigate turbulence interactions.

• Hartree : Multi-block finite volume implicit solver. Arbitrary numbers of phases, Langrangian and Eulerian particle descriptions. Discrete element method and immersed boundary method to simulate interacting and fully resolved particles/objects. Setup programs, mesh generators, STL file importers. Very large and very general purpose program.
• Pandora : Pseudo-spectral fluid DNS code capable of homogeneous turbulence simulations. Langrangian particle phase which may be two-way coupled to the fluid. Also permits particle charge and solution of the electric field.

Various simulation tools for photovoltaic and solar thermal analysis as well as for system design. These tools are used to analyse PV performance. Simulation tools for investigating thermal performance and lighting aspects in the built environment. In house micro-wind assessment tool.

Examples of publications using these tools include, (i) Bahaj, AbuBakr S., James, Patrick A.B. and Jentsch, Mark F. (2008) Potential of emerging glazing technologies for highly glazed buildings in hot arid climates. Energy and Buildings, 40, (5), 720-731. (doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2007.05.006), (ii) Bahaj, A.S., Myers, L.E. and James, P.A.B. (2007) Urban energy generation: Influence of micro-wind turbine output on electricity consumption in buildings. Energy and Buildings, 39, (2), 154-165. (doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2006.06.001), (iii) Papafragkou, A., James, P.A.B., Jentsch, M.F. and Bahaj, A.S. (2009) and (iv) Combined heat and power: street-level domestic microgrids. Proceedings of the ICE: Energy, 162, (3), 131-141. (doi:10.1680/ener.2009.162.3.131).

James, P.A.B., Jentsch, M.F. and Bahaj, A.S. (2009) Quantifying the added value of BiPV as a shading solution in atria. Solar Energy, 83, (2), 220-231. (doi:10.1016/j.solener.2008.07.016).