The G-Scheme: A framework for multi-scale adaptive model reduction

Abstract

The numerical solution of mathematical models for reaction systems in general, and reacting flows in particular, is a challenging task because of the simultaneous contribution of a wide range of time scales to the system dynamics. However, the dynamics can develop very-slow and very-fast time scales separated by a range of active time scales. An opportunity to reduce the complexity of the problem arises when the fast/active and slow/active time scales gaps becomes large. We propose a numerical technique consisting of an algorithmic framework, named the G-Scheme, to achieve multi-scale adaptive model reduction along-with the integration of the differential equations (DEs). The method is directly applicable to initial-value ODEs and (by using the method of lines) PDEs. We assume that the dynamics is decomposed into active, slow, fast, and when applicable, invariant subspaces. The G-Scheme introduces locally a curvilinear frame of reference, defined by a set of orthonormal basis vectors with corresponding coordinates, attached to this decomposition. The evolution of the curvilinear coordinates associated with the active subspace is described by non-stiff DEs, whereas that associated with the slow and fast subspaces is accounted for by applying algebraic corrections derived from asymptotics of the original problem. Adjusting the active DEs dynamically during the time integration is the most significant feature of the G-Scheme, since the numerical integration is accomplished by solving a number of DEs typically much smaller than the dimension of the original problem, with corresponding saving in computational work. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the G-Scheme, we present results from illustrative as well as from relevant problems.