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Numerical methods able to model high Rayleigh (Ra) and high Prandtl (Pr) number thermal convection are important to study large-scale geophysical phenomena occuring in very viscous fluids such as magma chamber dynamics (104< Pr< 107and 107< Ra< 1011). The important variable to quantify the thermal state of a convective fluid is a generalized dimensionless heat transfer coefficient (the Nusselt number) whose measure indicates the relative efficiency of the thermal convection. In this paper we test the ability of Multi-distribution Function approach (MDF) Thermal Lattice Boltzmann method to study the well-established scaling result for the Nusselt number (Nu∝ Ra1/3) in Rayleigh Bénard convection for 104≤ Ra≤ 109and 101≤ Pr≤ 104. We explore its main drawbacks in the range of Prand Ranumber under investigation: (1) high computational time Ncrequired for the algorithm to converge and (2) high spatial accuracy needed to resolve the thickness of thermal plumes and both thermal and velocity boundary layer. We try to decrease the computational demands of the method using a multiscale approach based on the implicit dependence of the Prnumber on the relaxation time, the spatial and temporal resolution characteristic of the MDF thermal model.

Advection-diffusion processes can be simulated by the Lattice Boltzmann method. Two formulations have been proposed in the literature. We show that they are not fully correct (only first order accurate). A new formulation is proposed, which is shown to produce better results, both from the point of view of the Chapman-Enskog expansion or when comparing simulations with an exact time-dependent solution of the advection-diffusion equation.

A novel mesh refinement sensor is proposed for lattice Boltzmann methods (LBMs) applicable to either static or dynamic mesh refinement algorithms. The sensor exploits the kinetic nature of LBMs by evaluating the departure of distribution functions from their local equilibrium state. This sensor is first compared, in a qualitative manner, to three state-of-the-art sensors: (1) the vorticity norm, (2) the Q-criterion, and (3) spatial derivatives of the vorticity. This comparison shows that our kinetic sensor is the most adequate candidate to propose tailored mesh structures across a wide range of physical phenomena: incompressible, compressible subsonic/supersonic single phase, and weakly compressible multiphase flows. As a more quantitative validation, the sensor is then used to produce the computational mesh for two existing open-source LB solvers based on inhomogeneous, block-structured meshes with static and dynamic refinement algorithms, implemented in the Palabos and AMROC-LBM software, respectively. The sensor is first used to generate a static mesh to simulate the turbulent 3D lid-driven cavity flow using Palabos. AMROC-LBM is then adopted to confirm the ability of our sensor to dynamically adapt the mesh to reach the steady state of the 2D lid-driven cavity flow. Both configurations show that our sensor successfully produces meshes of high quality and allows to save computational time. • A novel mesh refinement sensor is proposed for lattice Boltzmann methods (LBMs). • The sensor is applicable to either static or dynamic mesh refinement algorithms. • The sensor is purely local and exploits the kinetic nature of LBMs. • The sensor is compared to state-of-the-art sensors and proves to be accurate. • The sensor proves to successfully generate a static mesh for PALABOS and a dynamic mesh for AMROC-LBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the Multiscale Coupling Library and Environment: MUSCLE 2. This multiscale component-based execution environment has a simple to use Java, C++, C, Python and Fortran API, compatible with MPI, OpenMP and threading codes. We demonstrate its local and distributed computing capabilities and compare its performance to MUSCLE 1, file copy, MPI, MPWide, and GridFTP. The local throughput of MPI is about two times higher, so very tightly coupled code should use MPI as a single submodel of MUSCLE 2; the distributed performance of GridFTP is lower, especially for small messages. We test the performance of a canal system model with MUSCLE 2, where it introduces an overhead as small as 5% compared to MPI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical methods able to model high Rayleigh (Ra) and high Prandtl (Pr) number thermal convection are important to study large-scale geophysical phenomena occuring in very viscous fluids such as magma chamber dynamics (104< Pr < 107and 107< Ra < 1011). The important variable to quantify the thermal state of a convective fluid is a generalized dimensionless heat transfer coefficient (the Nusselt number) whose measure indicates the relative efficiency of the thermal convection. In this paper we test the ability of Multi-distribution Function approach (MDF) Thermal Lattice Boltzmann method to study the well-established scaling result for the Nusselt number (Nu ? Ra1/3) in Rayleigh B?nard convection for 104? Ra ? 109and 101? Pr ? 104. We explore its main drawbacks in the range of Pr and Ra number under investigation: (1) high computational time Ncrequired for the algorithm to converge and (2) high spatial accuracy needed to resolve the thickness of thermal plumes and both thermal and velocity boundary layer. We try to decrease the computational demands of the method using a multiscale approach based on the implicit dependence of the Pr number on the relaxation time, the spatial and temporal resolution characteristic of the MDF thermal model.

Advection-diffusion processes can be simulated by the Lattice Boltzmann method. Two formulations have been proposed in the literature. We show that they are not fully correct (only first order accurate). A new formulation is proposed, which is shown to produce better results, both from the point of view of the Chapman-Enskog expansion or when comparing simulations with an exact time-dependent solution of the advection-diffusion equation.

Abstract:: A new model of evolution is presented for finite size systems. Conditions under which a minority species can emerge, spread and stabilize to a macroscopic size are studied. It is found that space organization is instrumental in addition to a qualitative advantage. Some peculiar topologies ensure the overcome of the initial majority species. However the probability of such local clusters is very small and depend strongly on the system size. A probabilistic phase diagram is obtained for small sizes. It reduces to a trivial situation in the thermodynamic limit, thus indicating the importance of dealing with finite systems in evolution problems. Results are discussed with respect to both Darwin and punctuated equilibria theories.

We consider a new cellular automata rule for a synchronous random walk on a two-dimensional square lattice, subject to an exclusion principle. It is found that the macroscopic behavior of our model obeys the telegraphists's equation, with an adjustable diffusion constant. By construction, the dynamics of our model is exactly described by a linear discrete Boltzmann equation which is solved analytically for some boundary conditions. Consequently, the connection between the microscopic and the macroscopic descriptions is obtained exactly and the continuous limit studied rigorously. The typical system size for which a true diffusive behavior is observed may be deduced as a function of the parameters entering into the rule. It is shown that a suitable choice of these parameters allows us to consider quite small systems. In particular, our cellular automata model can simulate the Laplace equation to a precision of the order (?/L)6, whereL is the size of the system and? the lattice spacing. Implementation of this algorithm on special-purpose machines leads to the fastest way to simulate diffusion on a lattice.

A lattice Boltzmann model which simulates and predicts, on a massively parallel computer, wave propagation in urban environments is presented. This technique takes into account complicated boundary conditions. Two-dimensional simulations are performed starting from a city map and a renormalisation scheme is proposed to extend the results to three dimensions and adjust the wave length. The method, which is simple and easy to implement, provides good path loss predictions when compared with in situ measurements.

The effect of dissociation of the invading electrolyte on the formation of Liesegang bands is investigated. We find, using organic compounds with known dissociation constants, that the spacing coefficient, 1 + p, that characterizes the position of the nth band as xn ~ (1 + p)ⁿ decreases with increasing dissociation constant, Kd. Theoretical arguments are developed to explain these experimental findings and to calculate explicitly the Kd dependence of 1 + p.

Abstract:: A simple cellular automata model for a two-group war over the same “territory” is presented. It is shown that a qualitative advantage is not enough for a minority to win. A spatial organization as well a definite degree of aggressiveness are instrumental to overcome a less fitted majority. The model applies to a large spectrum of competing groups: smoker-non smoker war, epidemic spreading, opinion formation, competition for industrial standards and species evolution. In the last case, it provides a new explanation for punctuated equilibria.