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At least 73 records · Page 4

Numerical methods for the weakly compressible Generalized Langevin Model in Eulerian reference frame

A well established approach for the computation of turbulent flow without resolving all turbulent flow scales is to solve a filtered or averaged set of equations, and to model non-resolved scales by closures derived from transported probability density functions (PDF) for velocity fluctuations. Effective numerical methods for PDF transport employ the equivalence between the Fokker–Planck equation for the PDF and a Generalized Langevin Model (GLM), and compute the PDF by transporting a set of sampling particles by GLM (Pope (1985) [1]). The natural representation of GLM is a system of stochastic differential equations in a Lagrangian reference frame, typically solved by particle methods. A representation in a Eulerian reference frame, however, has the potential to significantly reduce computational effort and to allow for the seamless integration into a Eulerian-frame numerical flow solver. GLM in a Eulerian frame (GLMEF) formally corresponds to the nonlinear fluctuating hydrodynamic equations derived by Nakamura and Yoshimori (2009) [12]. Unlike the more common Landau–Lifshitz Navier–Stokes (LLNS) equations these equations are derived from the underdamped Langevin equation and are not based on a local equilibrium assumption. Similarly to LLNS equations the numerical solution of GLMEF requires special considerations. In this paper we investigate different numerical approaches to solving GLMEF with respect to the correct representation of stochastic properties of the solution. We find that a discretely conservative staggered finite-difference scheme, adapted from a scheme originally proposed for turbulent incompressible flow, in conjunction with a strongly stable (for non-stochastic PDE) Runge–Kutta method performs better for GLMEF than schemes adopted from those proposed previously for the LLNS. We show that equilibrium stochastic fluctuations are correctly reproduced.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Kolmogorov similarity scaling for one-particle Lagrangian statistics

Here, we use direct numerical simulation data up to a Taylor scale Reynolds number R λ =1000 to investigate Kolmogorov similarity scaling in the inertial sub-range for one-particle Lagrangian statistics. While similarity scaling is not achieved at these Reynolds numbers for the Lagrangian velocity structure function, we show clearly that it is achieved for the Lagrangian acceleration frequency spectrum and the scaling range becomes wider with increasing Reynolds number. Stochastic and heuristic model calculations suggest that the difference in behavior observed for the structure function and spectrum is simply a consequence of different rates of convergence to scaling behavior with increasing Reynolds number. Our estimate C 0 ≈6.9±0.2 for the Lagrangian structure function constant is close to earlier estimates based on extrapolation of the peak value of the compensated structure function. The findings presented here suggest prospects for studying Kolmogorov similarity for Lagrangian statistics using the latest innovations in simulation, and measurement techniques are more hopeful than previously suggested in the literature.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Implicit and explicit schemes for mass consistency preservation in hybrid particle/finite-volume algorithms for turbulent reactive flows

This work addresses the issue of particle mass consistency in Large Eddy Simulation/Probability Density Function (LES/PDF) methods for turbulent reactive flows. Numerical schemes for the implicit and explicit enforcement of particle mass consistency (PMC) are introduced, and their performance is examined in a representative LES/PDF application, namely the Sandia–Sydney Bluff-Body flame HM1. A new combination of interpolation schemes for velocity and scalar fields is found to better satisfy PMC than multilinear and fourth-order Lagrangian interpolation. A second-order accurate time-stepping scheme for stochastic differential equations (SDE) is found to improve PMC relative to Euler time stepping, which is the first time that a second-order scheme is found to be beneficial, when compared to a first-order scheme, in an LES/PDF application. An explicit corrective velocity scheme for PMC enforcement is introduced, and its parameters optimized to enforce a specified PMC criterion with minimal corrective velocity magnitudes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Effects of Nozzle Radial Position, Separation Angle, and Gas Flow Partitioning on the Mixing, Eye Area, and Wall Shear Stress in Ladles Fitted with Dual Plugs

Mixing time, slag eye area, and wall shear stress in a ladle fitted with dual plugs have been studied as a function of operating variables, namely, gas flow rate, radial nozzle position, separation angle between nozzles and flow rate partitioning. While the mixing time and slag eye area have been experimentally investigated in a scaled water model (with and without a top slag layer), the shear stress on the vessel wall has been studied computationally via a RANS-based turbulent, three-dimensional coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian (VOF-DPM), multiphase flow model. Experimental and computational results have indicated that the mixing, eye area, and wall shear stress depend on the gas flow rate, i.e., while mixing efficiency increases with the increasing gas flow rate, the slag eye area, and wall shear stress, in contrast, become more pronounced with the increasing gas flow, leading to an undesirable operating regime. The radial nozzle position, separation angle between the nozzles and flow rate partitioning at any given flow rate also influence the ladle process performance, influencing the mixing, eye area, and wall shear stress, albeit to a varied degree. Within the range of operating conditions studied, an expected inverse correspondence between mixing time and shear behavior was observed. Experimental and computational results in conjunction have indicated that the best arrangement of porous plugs or gas injection nozzles for superior ladle process performance is dependent on the gas flow rate and is specific to the desired objective (i.e., decreasing the mixing time, or slag eye area and wall shear stress). Hence, a unique gas injection practice cannot and should not be suggested as the optimum for ladle metallurgy in steelmaking. Nevertheless, if the mixing time is the parameter of primary interest, a nozzle configuration with equal flow partitioning (1:1) between the nozzles and identical nozzle radial positions (0.7R/0.7R, 45 deg) should suffice for both low and high gas flow rates. In contrast, a nonidentical nozzle radial position (0.7R/0.5R, 90 deg) and an unequal gas flow rate per nozzle (1:3) appear preferable if both ladle eye and shear stresses, rather than mixing, are the issues of concern.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Reconstructing the inflationary f(R) from observations

The BICEP2 collaboration has recently released data showing that the scalar-to-tensor ratio r is much larger than expected. The immediate consequence, in the context of f(R) gravity, is that the Starobinsky model of inflation is ruled out since it predicts a value of r much smaller than what is observed. Of course, the BICEP2 data need verification, especially from Planck with which there is some tension, therefore any conclusion seems premature. However, it is interesting to ask what would be the functional form of f(R) in the case when the value of r is different from the one predicted by the Starobinsky model. In this paper, we show how to determine the form of f(R), once the slow-roll parameters are known with some accuracy. The striking result is that, for given values of the scalar spectral index n{sub S} and r, the effective Lagrangian has the form f(R)=R{sup ζ}, where ζ=2-ε and |ε||| 1. Therefore, it appears that the inflationary phase of the Universe is best described by a R{sup 2} theory, with a small deviation that, as we show, can be obtained by quantum corrections.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Open-source MFIX-DEM software for gas–solids flows: Part I—Verification studies

With rapid advancements in computer hardware, it is now possible to perform large simulations of granular flows using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). As a result, solids are increasingly treated in a discrete Lagrangian fashion in the gas–solids flow community. In this paper, the open-source MFIX-DEM software is described that can be used for simulating the gas–solids flow using an Eulerian reference frame for the continuum fluid and a Lagrangian discrete framework (Discrete Element Method) for the particles. This method is referred to as the continuum discrete method (CDM) to clearly make a distinction between the ambiguity of using a Lagrangian or Eulerian reference for either continuum or discrete formulations. This freely available CDM code for gas–solids flows can accelerate the research in computational gas–solids flows and establish a baseline that can lead to better closures for the continuum modeling (or traditionally referred to as two fluid model) of gas–solids flows. In this paper, a series of verification cases is employed which tests the different aspects of the code in a systematic fashion by exploring specific physics in gas–solids flows before exercising the fully coupled solution on simple canonical problems. It is critical to have an extensively verified code as the physics is complex with highly-nonlinear coupling, and it is difficult to ascertain the accuracy of the results without rigorous verification. These series of verification tests set the stage not only for rigorous validation studies (performed in part II of this paper) but also serve as a procedure for testing any new developments that couple continuum and discrete formulations for gas–solids flows.

Computational fluid dynamics↗

Differentiable programming for online training of a neural artificial viscosity function within a staggered grid Lagrangian hydrodynamics scheme

Lagrangian methods to solve the inviscid Euler equations produce numerical oscillations near shock waves. A common approach to reducing these oscillations is to add artificial viscosity (AV) to the discrete equations. The AV term acts as a dissipative mechanism that attenuates oscillations by smearing the shock across a finite number of computational cells. However, AV introduces several control parameters that are not determined by the underlying physical model, and hence, in practice are tuned to the characteristics of a given problem. We seek to improve the standard quadratic-linear AV form by replacing it with a learned neural function that reduces oscillations relative to exact solutions of the Euler equations, resulting in a hybrid numerical-neural hydrodynamic solver. Because AV is an artificial construct that exists solely to improve the numerical properties of a hydrodynamic code, there is no offline ‘viscosity data’ against which a neural network can be trained before inserting into a numerical simulation, thus requiring online training. We achieve this via differentiable programming, i.e. end-to-end backpropagation or adjoint solution through both the neural and differential equation code, using automatic differentiation of the hybrid code in the Julia programming language to calculate the necessary loss function gradients. A novel offline pre-training step accelerates training by initializing the neural network to the default numerical AV scheme, which can be learned rapidly by space-filling sampling over the AV input space. We find that online training over early time steps of simulation is sufficient to learn a neural AV function that reduces numerical oscillations in long-term hydrodynamic shock simulations. These results offer an early proof-of-principle that online differentiable training of hybrid numerical schemes with novel neural network components can improve certain performance aspects existing in purely numerical schemes.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A first class constraint generates not a gauge transformation, but a bad physical change: The case of electromagnetism

In Dirac–Bergmann constrained dynamics, a first-class constraint typically does not alone generate a gauge transformation. By direct calculation it is found that each first-class constraint in Maxwell’s theory generates a change in the electric field E{sup →} by an arbitrary gradient, spoiling Gauss’s law. The secondary first-class constraint p{sup i},{sub i}=0 still holds, but being a function of derivatives of momenta (mere auxiliary fields), it is not directly about the observable electric field (a function of derivatives of A{sub μ}), which couples to charge. Only a special combination of the two first-class constraints, the Anderson–Bergmann–Castellani gauge generator G, leaves E{sup →} unchanged. Likewise only that combination leaves the canonical action invariant—an argument independent of observables. If one uses a first-class constraint to generate instead a canonical transformation, one partly strips the canonical coordinates of physical meaning as electromagnetic potentials, vindicating the Anderson–Bergmann Lagrangian orientation of interesting canonical transformations. The need to keep gauge-invariant the relation q-dot −(δH)/(δp) =−E{sub i}−p{sup i}=0 supports using the gauge generator and primary Hamiltonian rather than the separate first-class constraints and the extended Hamiltonian. Partly paralleling Pons’s criticism, it is shown that Dirac’s proof that a first-class primary constraint generates a gauge transformation, by comparing evolutions from identical initial data, cancels out and hence fails to detect the alterations made to the initial state. It also neglects the arbitrary coordinates multiplying the secondary constraints inside the canonical Hamiltonian. Thus the gauge-generating property has been ascribed to the primaries alone, not the primary–secondary team G. Hence the Dirac conjecture about secondary first-class constraints as generating gauge transformations rests upon a false presupposition about primary first-class constraints. Clarity about Hamiltonian electromagnetism will be useful for an analogous treatment of GR. - Highlights: • A first-class constraint changes the electric field E, spoiling Gauss’s law. • A first-class constraint does not leave the action invariant or preserve q,0−dH/dp. • The gauge generator preserves E,q,0−dH/dp, and the canonical action. • The error in proofs that first-class primaries generating gauge is shown. • Dirac’s conjecture about secondary first-class constraints is blocked.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Open-source MFIX-DEM software for gas-solids flows: Part II — Validation studies

With rapid advancements in computer hardware and numerical algorithms, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been increasingly employed as a useful tool for investigating the complex hydrodynamics inherent in multiphase flows. An important step during the development of a CFD model and prior to its application is conducting careful and comprehensive verification and validation studies. Accordingly, efforts to verify and validate the open-source MFIX-DEM software, which can be used for simulating the gas–solids flow using an Eulerian reference frame for the continuum fluid and a Lagrangian discrete framework (Discrete Element Method) for the particles, have been made at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). In part I of this paper, extensive verification studies were presented and in this part, detailed validation studies of MFIX-DEM are presented. A series of test cases covering a range of gas–solids flow applications were conducted. In particular the numerical results for the random packing of a binary particle mixture, the repose angle of a sandpile formed during a side charge process, velocity, granular temperature, and voidage profiles from a bounded granular shear flow, lateral voidage and velocity profiles from a monodisperse bubbling fluidized bed, lateral velocity profiles from a spouted bed, and the dynamics of segregation of a binary mixture in a bubbling bed were compared with available experimental data, and in some instances with empirical correlations. In addition, sensitivity studies were conducted for various parameters to quantify the error in the numerical simulation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Spotting deviations from R {sup 2} inflation

We discuss the soundness of inflationary scenarios in theories beyond the Starobinsky model, namely a class of theories described by arbitrary functions of the Ricci scalar and the K -essence field. We discuss the pathologies associated with higher-order equations of motion which will be shown to constrain the stability of this class of theories. We provide a general framework to calculate the slow-roll parameters and the corresponding mappings to the theory parameters. For paradigmatic gravitational models within the class of theories under consideration we illustrate the power of the Planck/Bicep2 latest results to constrain such gravitational Lagrangians. Finally, bounds for potential deviations from Starobinsky-like inflation are derived.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Problem-free time-dependent variational principle for open quantum systems

Methods of quantum nuclear wave-function dynamics have become very efficient in simulating large isolated systems using the time-dependent variational principle (TDVP). However, a straightforward extension of the TDVP to the density matrix framework gives rise to methods that do not conserve the energy in the isolated system limit and the total system population for open systems where only energy exchange with environment is allowed. These problems arise when the system density is in a mixed state and is simulated using an incomplete basis. Thus, the basis set incompleteness, which is inevitable in practical calculations, creates artificial channels for energy and population dissipation. To overcome this unphysical behavior, we have introduced a constrained Lagrangian formulation of TDVP applied to a non-stochastic open system Schrödinger equation [L. Joubert-Doriol, I. G. Ryabinkin, and A. F. Izmaylov, J. Chem. Phys. 141, 234112 (2014)]. While our formulation can be applied to any variational ansatz for the system density matrix, derivation of working equations and numerical assessment is done within the variational multiconfiguration Gaussian approach for a two-dimensional linear vibronic coupling model system interacting with a harmonic bath.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Multi-parametric analysis for mixed integer linear programming: An application to transmission upgrade and congestion management

Upgrading the capacity of existing transmission lines is essential for meeting the growing energy demands, facilitating the integration of renewable energy, and ensuring the security of the transmission system. This study focuses on the selection of lines whose capacities and by how much should be expanded from the perspective of the Independent System Operators (ISOs) to minimize the total system cost. We employ advanced multi-parametric programming and an enhanced branch-and-bound algorithm to address complex mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problems, considering multi-period time constraints and physical limitations of generators and transmission lines. To characterize the various decisions in transmission expansion, we model the increased capacity of existing lines as parameters within a specified range. This study first relaxes the binary variables to continuous variables and applies the Lagrange method and Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions to obtain optimal solutions and identify critical regions associated with active and inactive constraints. Moreover, we extend the traditional branch-and-bound (B&B) method by determining the problem’s upper and lower bounds at each node of the B&B decision tree, helping to manage computational challenges in large-scale MILP problems. Here, we compare the difference between the upper and lower bounds to obtain an approximate optimal solution within the decision-makers’ tolerable error range. In addition, the first derivative of the objective function on the parameters of each line is used to inform the selection of lines for easing congestion and maximizing social welfare. Finally, the capacity upgrades are selected by weighing the reductions in system costs against the expense of upgrading line capacities. The findings are supported by numerical simulations and provide transmission-line planners with decision-making guidance.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Evaluation of convergence behavior of metamodeling techniques for bridging scales in multi-scale multimaterial simulation

The effectiveness of several metamodeling techniques, viz. the Polynomial Stochastic Collocation method, Adaptive Stochastic Collocation method, a Radial Basis Function Neural Network, a Kriging Method and a Dynamic Kriging Method is evaluated. This is done with the express purpose of using metamodels to bridge scales between micro- and macro-scale models in a multi-scale multimaterial simulation. The rate of convergence of the error when used to reconstruct hypersurfaces of known functions is studied. For sufficiently large number of training points, Stochastic Collocation methods generally converge faster than the other metamodeling techniques, while the DKG method converges faster when the number of input points is less than 100 in a two-dimensional parameter space. Because the input points correspond to computationally expensive micro/meso-scale computations, the DKG is favored for bridging scales in a multi-scale solver.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Modulated heat pulse propagation and partial transport barriers in chaotic magnetic fields

Direct numerical simulations of the time dependent parallel heat transport equation modeling heat pulses driven by power modulation in three-dimensional chaotic magnetic fields are presented. The numerical method is based on the Fourier formulation of a Lagrangian-Green's function method that provides an accurate and efficient technique for the solution of the parallel heat transport equation in the presence of harmonic power modulation. The numerical results presented provide conclusive evidence that even in the absence of magnetic flux surfaces, chaotic magnetic field configurations with intermediate levels of stochasticity exhibit transport barriers to modulated heat pulse propagation. In particular, high-order islands and remnants of destroyed flux surfaces (Cantori) act as partial barriers that slow down or even stop the propagation of heat waves at places where the magnetic field connection length exhibits a strong gradient. Results on modulated heat pulse propagation in fully stochastic fields and across magnetic islands are also presented. In qualitative agreement with recent experiments in large helical device and DIII-D, it is shown that the elliptic (O) and hyperbolic (X) points of magnetic islands have a direct impact on the spatio-temporal dependence of the amplitude of modulated heat pulses.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Topology and glass structure evolution in (BaO){sub x}((B{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 32}(SiO{sub 2}){sub 68}){sub 100−x} ternary—Evidence of rigid, intermediate, and flexible phases

We examine variations in the glass transition temperature (T{sub g}(x)), molar volume (V{sub m}(x)), and Raman scattering of titled glasses as a function of modifier (BaO) content in the 25% < x < 48% range. Three distinct regimes of behavior are observed; at low x, 24% < x < 29% range, the modifier largely polymerizes the backbone, T{sub g}(x) increase, features that we identify with the stressed-rigid elastic phase. At high x, 32% < x < 48% range, the modifier depolymerizes the network by creating non-bridging oxygen (NBO) atoms; in this regime T{sub g}(x) decreases, and networks are viewed to be in the flexible elastic phase. In the narrow intermediate x regime, 29% < x < 32% range, T{sub g}(x) shows a broad global maximum almost independent of x, and Raman mode scattering strengths and mode frequencies become relatively x-independent, V{sub m}(x) show a global minimum, features that we associate with the isostatically rigid elastic phase, also called the intermediate phase. In this phase, medium range structures adapt as revealed by the count of Lagrangian bonding constraints and Raman mode scattering strengths.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Analytic error analysis of cross section interpolation methods in nodal diffusion codes - I : Theory

This paper discusses two cross section interpolation methods commonly found in popular nodal codes; the partial derivatives and multiple tables models. The motivation for choosing a model, and thus a case matrix structure, is a trade off between accuracy and computational cost. Due to decades of experience, there are default structures that are sufficient for current light water reactor analysis. However, this is not necessarily the case for advanced reactor designs. Therefore, it is advantageous to understand the sources of error in cross section interpolation models so that the quality of a case matrix may be improved. A mathematical framework for these models is presented in this work that provides a more rigorous connection between the nuclear engineering field's cross section interpolation methods and the broader mathematical field of function approximation. The two cross section models examined in this paper were found to utilize Lagrange interpolation and are a subset of Lagrange tensor products. Classical results of Lagrange polynomial error analysis were then applied to the partial derivative and multiple tables models to derive expressions for the total point-wise error. The analytical results classify the total error into two parts: the model form error and interpolation error. Finally, based on our observations, a better foundation for improving the quality of a case matrix is proposed. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

On systems having Poincaré and Galileo symmetry

Using the wave equation in d≥1 space dimensions it is illustrated how dynamical equations may be simultaneously Poincaré and Galileo covariant with respect to different sets of independent variables. This provides a method to obtain dynamics-dependent representations of the kinematical symmetries. When the field is a displacement function both symmetries have a physical interpretation. For d=1 the Lorentz structure is utilized to reveal hitherto unnoticed features of the non-relativistic Chaplygin gas including a relativistic structure with a limiting case that exhibits the Carroll group, and field-dependent symmetries and associated Noether charges. The Lorentz transformations of the potentials naturally associated with the Chaplygin system are given. These results prompt the search for further symmetries and it is shown that the Chaplygin equations support a nonlinear superposition principle. A known spacetime mixing symmetry is shown to decompose into label-time and superposition symmetries. It is shown that a quantum mechanical system in a stationary state behaves as a Chaplygin gas. The extension to d>1 is used to illustrate how the physical significance of the dual symmetries is contingent on the context by showing that Maxwell’s equations exhibit an exact Galileo covariant formulation where Lorentz and gauge transformations are represented by field-dependent symmetries. A natural conceptual and formal framework is provided by the Lagrangian and Eulerian pictures of continuum mechanics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Soft-Pion theorems for large scale structure

Consistency relations — which relate an N-point function to a squeezed (N+1)-point function — are useful in large scale structure (LSS) because of their non-perturbative nature: they hold even if the N-point function is deep in the nonlinear regime, and even if they involve astrophysically messy galaxy observables. The non-perturbative nature of the consistency relations is guaranteed by the fact that they are symmetry statements, in which the velocity plays the role of the soft pion. In this paper, we address two issues: (1) how to derive the relations systematically using the residual coordinate freedom in the Newtonian gauge, and relate them to known results in ζ-gauge (often used in studies of inflation); (2) under what conditions the consistency relations are violated. In the non-relativistic limit, our derivation reproduces the Newtonian consistency relation discovered by Kehagias and Riotto and Peloso and Pietroni. More generally, there is an infinite set of consistency relations, as is known in ζ-gauge. There is a one-to-one correspondence between symmetries in the two gauges; in particular, the Newtonian consistency relation follows from the dilation and special conformal symmetries in ζ-gauge. We probe the robustness of the consistency relations by studying models of galaxy dynamics and biasing. We give a systematic list of conditions under which the consistency relations are violated; violations occur if the galaxy bias is non-local in an infrared divergent way. We emphasize the relevance of the adiabatic mode condition, as distinct from symmetry considerations. As a by-product of our investigation, we discuss a simple fluid Lagrangian for LSS.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗