Abstract
Numerical simulations of volcanic processes play a fundamental role in understanding the dynamics of magma storage, ascent and eruption. The recent extraordinary progress in computer performance and improvements in numerical modeling techniques allow simulating multiphase systems in mechanical and thermodynamical disequilibrium. Nonetheless, the growing complexity of these simulations requires the development of flexible computational tools that can easily switch between sub-models and solution techniques. In this work we present MagmaFOAM, a library based on the open source computational fluid dynamics software OpenFOAM, that incorporates models for solving the dynamics of multiphase, multicomponent magmatic systems. Retaining the modular structure of OpenFOAM, MagmaFOAM allows run-time selection of the solution technique depending on the physics of the specific process, and sets a solid framework for in-house and community model development, testing and comparison. MagmaFOAM models thermo-mechanical non-equilibrium phase coupling and phase change, and implements state-of-the-art multiple volatile saturation models and constitutive equations with composition-dependent and space-time local computation of thermodynamic and transport properties. Code testing is performed using different multiphase modeling approches for processes relevant to magmatic systems: Rayleigh-Taylor instability, for buyoancy-driven magmatic processes; multiphase shock tube simulations, propedeutical to conduit dynamics studies; bubble growth and breakage in basaltic melts. Benchmark simulations illustrate the capabilities and potential of MagmaFOAM to account for the variety of non-linear physical and thermodynamical processes characterizing the dynamics of volcanic systems.
Highlights
In this work we present MagmaFOAM, a library based on the open source computational fluid dynamics software OpenFOAM, that incorporates models for solving the dynamics of multiphase, multicomponent magmatic systems
Retaining the modular structure of OpenFOAM, MagmaFOAM allows run-time selection of the solution technique depending on the physics of the specific process, and sets a solid framework for in-house and community model development, testing and comparison
Benchmark simulations illustrate the capabilities and potential of MagmaFOAM to account for the variety of 15 non-linear physical and thermodynamical processes characterizing the dynamics of volcanic systems
Summary
Simulating transport processes in volcanic systems is of crucial importance to understand the physics of eruptions, correctly interpret geophysical signals recorded by volcano monitoring systems, anticipate volcanic scenarios, and forecast volcanic hazards (Sparks, 2003; Bagagli et al, 2017). Interface-resolving methods, similar to direct numerical simulation (DNS) approaches in single-phase turbulent flows (Moin and Mahesh, 1998), fully resolve the scales 40 of the fluid equations and track the topology of the interfaces These methods are practical only when the smallest scale of the flow and of the discontinuities are sufficiently large with respect to the grid size, and not too small with respect to the computational domain (Ishi and Hibiki, 2006). As a result, this approach has been used for instance to study large gas bubbles ascending in a conduit through low viscosity melts (Suckale et al, 2010a); bubble growth, deformation and coalescence (Huber et al, 2014); buoyancy-driven instabilities among liquids at different densities (Suckale et al, 2010b); and for the mush 45 microphysics characterizing crystal-rich magma reservoirs (Parmigiani et al, 2014). We summarize and discuss our results and draw the conclusions
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