Projects / Programmes
ADVANCED MESHLESS MODELLING AND SIMULATION OF MULTIPHASE SYSTEMS
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.13.01 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Process engineering |
Multi-phase systems |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T000 |
Technological sciences |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.03 |
Engineering and Technology |
Mechanical engineering |
Gas-liquid-solid processes, Stefan problem, solidification, multiphase flow, multiphysics and multiscale couplings, advanced meshless methods
Researchers (19)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The scientific goals of this research project focus on enhancement of the physical modelling capabilities and further development of meshless numerical methods for multiphase systems in the presence of electromagnetic and ultrasound fields. The physical modelling of liquid-solid systems will be on the macroscopic scale based on volume-averaged multiphase formulation. The turbulent flow will be treated by large-eddy formulation. The description of free and moving boundaries on the micro and macro-scale will be based on the phase-field concept. This framework will be used to study multiscale solidification and compressible laminar two-phase flow of gas and liquid.
The meshless methods are being developed further due to accuracy, efficiency, simple numerical implementation, similar formulation in two and three dimensions and different possibilities of automatically controlling the quality of the results. The local radial basis function meshless method will be extensively upgraded with new algorithms for pressure-velocity coupling, multi-level iteration solvers, meshless block-structured adaptive node refinement, and meshless specific stabilisation of convection. The non-singular method of fundamental solutions will be further developed for accurate evaluation of Neumann boundary conditions, non-linear material response and moving and free boundary problems.
The mass, momentum, energy and species conservation equations will be simultaneously solved on microscopic and macroscopic levels. The emphasis of the project will be on modularity of the meshless simulation system and on numerical implementation on distributed memory computers. The coupling with artificial intelligence for optimisation and model reduction is foreseen. This will allow many contemporary meshless simulations in global metallurgical and pharmaceutical industry, as well as in large international research centers such as in European XFEL for femtosecond crystallography.
The model assumptions will be experimentally validated based on the predictions of new domestic and foreign laboratory and industrial experiments in the fields of liquid-gas microfluidics and liquid-solid microstructure evolution. The existing comparison exercises for Stefan problems will be complemented with new benchmarks for solidification of multicomponent systems in axisymmetry and three dimensions.
The project is based on further development of our internationally recognised and awarded breakthrough results, achieved in the last few years with meshless methods: the first demonstration of h-adaptive simulations, first solution of engineering turbulence modelling, simulation of magnetohydrodnamics and thermomechanics, large deformations, phase-field modelling of moving and free boundary problems, two-phase flow, solution of a spectrum of most complicated international solidification test cases, and a completely new meshless concept for simulations of mesoscopic microstructure evolution that is based on the point automata instead of the cellular automata. Development of numerous industrial simulation systems, based on this new precompetitive knowledge (continuous casting of aluminium alloys and steel in the presence of electromagnetic fields, thin strip casting, hot rolling, micro-jets, etc.)
The proposed study is expected to gain new, experimentally verified basic knowledge regarding the physical modelling of multiphase systems and a meshless solution of multiscale and multiphysics problems. They will influence further experimental and theoretical developments, design and education. Specific upgrades of the deduced basic knowledge will be used for simulation of various processes in nature and technology. Organisation of an international conference and summer school, dealing with Stefan problems, are scheduled in the framework of the proposed project.
Significance for science
The present research project forms a part of the fundamental research spectra, conducted at the Laboratory for Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics, University of Ljubljana and Laboratory for Simulation of Materials and Processes, IMT. The research project belongs to the modern research area of modelling, simulation and optimisation of processes and materials which plays an increasingly important role in international research because of the needs for inexpensive products with a large know-how input, for new materials and environmentally friendly technologies. Our research contents are actively integrated in this research area by their leading basic and applied components.
In the framework of our fundamental research, we seek new approaches in multiphysics modelling of multiphase systems at multiple scales, with advanced meshfree methods for moving boundary problems and with development of international test cases and reference solutions for validation and verification of Stefan problems. We demonstrate leading research results in all three mentioned areas. We have among others demonstrated first development and application of meshless methods to industrially relevant turbulent fluid flow problems, two-phase flow, first application of meshless methods in microstructure modelling (our original point automata method). We have among others for the first time demonstrated discretisation independent results of macrosegregation as well as suggested first international test case for continuous casting of steel.
The international education, which stems from the present research topics, found his place in cooperation with several renowned international summer schools. Further, the research project acts as a base for the graduate education in Slovenia. Four post-graduate students are expected to complete their Ph.D. studies within the project.
With the gained knowledge, we will be able to further extend our industrial impact in metallurgical and pharmaceutical industry and in large international research centers. Slovenia has approx. 100 companies only in the field of alloy manufacturing with approx. 10.000 working places, the yearly income is around 1.5 billion €. Slovenia has also approx. 50 casthouses with 4000 employees and their yearly income around 0.5 billion €. The modernization of metallurgical processes was a part of the largest recent industrial investments in Slovenia. The export of the mentioned companies all over the world is about 70%. The project team has a large end-user pull from these companies. The proposed research has a direct link to international research area (Europe, USA, Asia) through several international projects.
The written demonstrates the international scientific and education excellence, and relevance of the proposed research for Slovenia and broader. The scientific topics of the project coincide with the EU 2020 research priorities: Nanotechnologies, Advanced materials, Advanced manufacturing systems.
Significance for the country
The present research project forms a part of the fundamental research spectra, conducted at the Laboratory for Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics, University of Ljubljana and Laboratory for Simulation of Materials and Processes, IMT. The research project belongs to the modern research area of modelling, simulation and optimisation of processes and materials which plays an increasingly important role in international research because of the needs for inexpensive products with a large know-how input, for new materials and environmentally friendly technologies. Our research contents are actively integrated in this research area by their leading basic and applied components.
In the framework of our fundamental research, we seek new approaches in multiphysics modelling of multiphase systems at multiple scales, with advanced meshfree methods for moving boundary problems and with development of international test cases and reference solutions for validation and verification of Stefan problems. We demonstrate leading research results in all three mentioned areas. We have among others demonstrated first development and application of meshless methods to industrially relevant turbulent fluid flow problems, two-phase flow, first application of meshless methods in microstructure modelling (our original point automata method). We have among others for the first time demonstrated discretisation independent results of macrosegregation as well as suggested first international test case for continuous casting of steel.
The international education, which stems from the present research topics, found his place in cooperation with several renowned international summer schools. Further, the research project acts as a base for the graduate education in Slovenia. Four post-graduate students are expected to complete their Ph.D. studies within the project.
With the gained knowledge, we will be able to further extend our industrial impact in metallurgical and pharmaceutical industry and in large international research centers. Slovenia has approx. 100 companies only in the field of alloy manufacturing with approx. 10.000 working places, the yearly income is around 1.5 billion €. Slovenia has also approx. 50 casthouses with 4000 employees and their yearly income around 0.5 billion €. The modernization of metallurgical processes was a part of the largest recent industrial investments in Slovenia. The export of the mentioned companies all over the world is about 70%. The project team has a large end-user pull from these companies. The proposed research has a direct link to international research area (Europe, USA, Asia) through several international projects.
The written demonstrates the international scientific and education excellence, and relevance of the proposed research for Slovenia and broader. The scientific topics of the project coincide with the EU 2020 research priorities: Nanotechnologies, Advanced materials, Advanced manufacturing systems.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
