Remarks on the choice of a stiff ordinary differential equation solver for the solution of fluid flow problems
Several aspects of the solution of fluid flow problems are discussed. A model problem is described which captures several of the salient characteristics of such problems. The model problem is derived from the one-dimensional Euler equations. It corresponds to the subcooled liquid region of a three region reactor steam generator model. The defining partial differential equations are discretized spatially using the method of pseudo-characteristics. The resulting system of ordinary differential equations is then solved by the method of lines using each of several available ordinary differential equation (ode) solvers. In addition to demonstrating that fluid flow problems can be solved effectively using adaptive mathematical software, the results also illustrate the typical performance of each solver as well as the relative merits of special solver features (eg., automatic method switching and exploitation of problem sparsity or bandedness). The model problem is also modified and used to illustrate several commonly observed characteristics of fluid flow models. The results illustrate the potential effect of solver performance of characteristics such as inaccurate water property calculations. Consequently, they explain apparent anomalies often attributed incorrectly to poor solver design and algorithmic implementation. The results also support the choice of the sparse ordinary differential solver LSODES for the solution of fluid flow problems. 16 refs., 29 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 5873931
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL-6189; ON: DE86010080
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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