RadLib: A radiative property model library for CFD

Abstract

RadLib is a C++ library of radiation property models that can be applied to variety of systems involving radiative heat transfer, including CFD simulations. RadLib includes three major radiation property models—Planck Mean (PM) absorption coefficients, the weighted sum of gray gases (WSGG) model, and the rank-correlation spectral line weighted-sum-of-gray-gases (RCSLW) model. RadLib includes C++, Python, and Fortran interfaces and can be expanded to include additional models. Several example cases illustrate use of the models with an included ray-tracing solver, compare their accuracy relative to line-by-line (LBL) solutions, and examine their computational costs. Additionally, an integrated CFD example of an ethylene burner configuration using Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) is provided. RadLib provides researchers with convenient access to validated radiation property models and a framework for further development. Program summaryProgram Title: RadLibCPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/rs5kvnr86r.1Developer's repository link:https://github.com/BYUignite/radlibCode Ocean capsule:https://codeocean.com/capsule/0997975/treeLicensing provisions: MITProgramming language: C++, Fortran, PythonNature of problem: Radiative heat transfer in combustion CFD problems is typically neglected or oversimplified, resulting in significant error and inaccuracy in combustion simulations. Radiation modeling, however, often requires a high degree of specialization due to its complexity and the challenges associated with implementation in existing CFD codes, which presents a substantial obstacle to researchers who wish to address the inaccuracies introduced by insufficient radiative heat transfer modeling in combustion simulations.Solution method: We present RadLib, an open-source C++ library of validated radiation property models that can be applied alongside various RTE solution methods to ease some of the obstacles associated with radiation modeling for combustion CFD. The package includes C++, Fortran, and Python interfaces, several illustrative examples with a provided ray-tracing solver and an integrated example using Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). RadLib can also be expanded to include additional radiation property models and interfaces.Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: The library is intended to be used in Linux-like terminal applications.