8.1 Special physics
8.2 Special mathematics
8.3 The choice of where to compute
8.4 Built-in and human-supplied expertise
8.5 SHARREC; SHAring Resources REduces Costs
In addition to possessing or having access to all the models of
turbulence, chemistry and radiation which have proved useful in
CFD, EXPLOITS-PHOENICS has several new ones of its own, namely:
Because of their novelty, none of these models have a track record,
whether good or bad, as long as k-epsilon, eddy-break-up and six-
flux models of mixing, combustion and radiation respectively.
The new models do however possess the merits of:
This requires the application of external funding.
EXPLOITS-PHOENICS performs its calculations in a way which has proved
economical for use on "parallel computers", whether of the shared-
memory or distributed-memory kinds.
The technique used is called "domain decomposition". In oil-platform
terms, this implies that the whole module is cut into imaginary
slices, to each of which a PHOENICS-carrying processor is devoted.
Parallel-PHOENICS has been code-named SORCERER, to evoke the images
of Disney's Sorcerer's Apprentice, in which row upon row of
identical broom-sticks are seen fetching and pouring out buckets of
water.
This feature is important, because it permits explosion simulations
to be performed with computational grids which are fine enough to
represent adequately the geometrical complexities of equipment-
filled oil platforms.
EXPLOITS-PHOENICS can run adequately on:-
CHAM's MICA project is therefore directed to making super- and
parallel-computing power accessible to, and affordable by all.
MICA is an acronym which stands for Model for Industrial CFD
Applications. It is partially funded by the European Commission
as part of the ESPRIT Framework IV Program.
CHAM is the proposer and coordinator of the project.
Other partners are:
INRIA (France), U Paderborn & LSTM (Germany), LITEC(Spain),
BRE & WAT&G (UK), CMR (Norway), Vattenfalls & SMHI (Sweden),
NTUA (Greece), and Hoogovens & Stork-Comprimo (Holland).
The general idea is that:-
Ten sectors are currently receiving attention, namely:
Oil-platform explosions
Smoke movement and fire spread in buildings
Heating and ventilating of buildings
Air and pollutant flow around assemblies of buildings
Flow around marine structures
Coal-fired industrial furnaces
Glass-melting and refining furnaces
Annealing furnaces
Industrial ovens
Steam condensers for power stations
At the same time, CHAM is treating certain other industrial sectors
in the same way, using its own funding. These are:
CHAM's view is that an increasing proportion of the CFD needs of
industry and the environment will be met in the MICA manner.
EXPLOITS is therefore not a one-off enterprise, but one of a growing
family, the members of which will learn from each other.
The MICA project began on Jan 1 1996, and will finish on Dec 31,
1997.
The first year is being devoted to collection and assembly of all
the components.
The second year will be devoted to testing, validation, publicity,
and the enlargement of practical use, to be followed by a commercial
launch.
However, the MICA doors are open now to users who wish already to
make use of its services.
By entering early, such users not only have to pay lower-than-full-
commercial rates (namely two-thirds of full costs); they also
influence the direction of the development of the service.
8.1 Special physics
Availability is one thing; utilisatiion and validation are others.
What is mainly needed is systematic use and testing.
8.2 Special mathematics
8.3 The choice of where to compute
(a) Hardware
However
(b) MICA
(c) The special sectors currently attended to by MICA
"Environmental" group
Heat-transfer-equipment group
(d) Other sectors receiving additional attention from CHAM
Other products are being planned.
(e) Current status