A Variational Multiscale Method for Particle Dispersion Modeling in the Atmosphere

Abstract

A LES model is proposed to predict the dispersion of particles in the atmosphere in the context of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) applications. The code relies on the Finite Element Method (FEM) for both the fluid and the dispersed solid phases. Starting from the Navier-Stokes equations and a general description of the FEM strategy, the Streamline Upwind Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) method is formulated putting some emphasis on the related assembly matrix and stabilization coefficients. Then, the Variational Multiscale Method (VMS) is presented together with a detailed illustration of its algorithm and hierarchy of computational steps. It is demonstrated that the VMS can be considered as a more general version of the SUPG method. The final part of the work is used to assess the reliability of the implemented predictor/multicorrector solution strategy.