Total Variation Diminishing Research Articles

On the accuracy of calculating invariants in centered rarefaction waves and in their influence area

We perform a comparative analysis of the accuracy of second-order TVD (Total Variation Diminishing), third-order RBM (Rusanov-Burstein-Mirin), and fifth-order in space and third-order in time A-WENO (Alternative Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory) difference schemes for solving a special Cauchy problem for shallow water equations with discontinuous initial data. The exact solution of this problem contains a centered rarefaction wave and does not contain a shock wave. It is shown that in the centered rarefaction wave and its influence area, the solutions of these three schemes with different orders converge to different invariants of the exact solution. This leads to a decrease in the accuracy of these schemes when calculating the vector of base variables of the considered Cauchy problem. The P-form of the first differential approximation of the difference schemes is used for the theoretical justification of these numerical results.

A numerical approach to overcome the very-low Reynolds number limitation of the artificial compressibility for incompressible flows

We propose a numerical approach to solve a long-standing challenge which is the applicability of the artificial compressibility (AC) formulation for solving the incompressible Navier—Stokes equations at very-low Reynolds numbers. A wide range of engineering applications involves very-low Reynolds number flows in Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) and in the fields of chemical-, agricultural- and biomedical engineering. It is known that the already existing numerical methods using the AC approach fail to provide physically correct results at very-low Reynolds numbers (Re ≤ 1). To overcome the limitation of the AC method for these engineering applications, we propose a higher-order Neumann-type pressure outflow boundary condition treatment along with their up to fourth-order numerical approximations. We found that the numerical treatment of the pressure at the outlet boundary plays the main role in overcoming the limitation of the AC method at very-low Reynolds numbers (Re << 1). Therefore, we provide numerical evidence on the accuracy of the AC method beyond its previously reported limitations, e.g., the low Reynolds number Oseen flow (Re << 1) is first presented in this work. A third-order explicit total-variation diminishing (TVD) Runge–Kutta scheme has been employed with standard finite difference spatial discretisation schemes for improving the accuracy of the numerical solution. For modelling strongly viscous flows, the Reynolds number ranges from 10−1 to 10−4. Overall, we found that the accuracy limitation of the AC method below Re < 1 can be overcome with an accurate numerical treatment of the outlet pressure boundary condition instead of using high-order schemes in the governing equations. For the investigated Reynolds number range (10−1 ≤ Re ≤ 10−4), the obtained results show that the relative errors were smaller than 1% for the numerical simulations performed on the configurations of both the two- and three-dimensional, straight microfluidic channels. The imposition of high-order derivative Neumann-type pressure outflow boundary conditions reduced the maximum relative errors of the numerical solutions from 85% and 95% to below than 1% at the outlet section of the two- and three-dimensional, straight microfluidic channel flows, respectively. Taking the advantage of the numerical approach proposed here, two- and three-dimensional benchmark problems employed in the current investigation in comparison with analytical solutions available in the literature, clearly demonstrate that the artificial compressibility can be used beyond its previously known constraints for very-low Reynolds number incompressible flows.

Flow Characteristics and Heat Transfer Enhancement of Electro-Thermo-Convection in Dielectric Liquids With Residual Conductivity

Abstract The flow features and heat transfer enhancement of electro-thermo-convection (ETC) in dielectric liquids with residual conductivity between concentric electrodes are numerically studied based on an injection–conduction model. The strongly coupled flow field, electric field, and positive/negative charge density of the ETC system are solved numerically based on the finite volume framework of OpenFOAM®. The total variation-diminishing algorithm is adopted to handle the complex nonlinearity of the positive/negative charge transport equations. The bifurcation of plentiful flow states that are characterized by variable plumes and vortex pairs in the ETC system is investigated. It is discovered that the residual conductivity postpones the beginning of ETC flow, inhibits the convection intensity, and also diminishes heat transfer of the ETC system. In addition, the transition sequences of ETC flow are also influenced by residual conductivity. A higher residual conductivity suppresses the occurrence of different intermediate steady-states. Three different transition sequences of steady ETC states at different Rayleigh numbers (Ra) are identified. The critical point where the ETC flow bifurcates to S8 is postponed at higher Ra. And the ETC system is more prone to chaos in a system of higher Ra. The periodicity of the ETC system is analyzed and found that Ra has little influence on the periodicity.

Development of a total variation diminishing (TVD) sea ice transport scheme and its application in an ocean (SCHISM v5.11) and sea ice (Icepack v1.3.4) coupled model on unstructured grids

Abstract. As the demand for increased resolution and complexity in unstructured sea ice models is growing, higher demands are also placed on the sea ice transport scheme. In this study, we couple the Semi-implicit Cross-scale Hydro-science Integrated System Model (SCHISM, v5.11) with Icepack (v1.3.4), the column physics package of the Los Alamos sea ice model (CICE); a key step is to implement a total variation diminishing (TVD) transport scheme for the multi-class sea ice module in the coupled model. Compared with the second-order upwind scheme and the finite-element flux-corrected transport (FEM-FCT) scheme, the TVD transport scheme is overall superior when evaluated based on conservation, accuracy, efficiency (even with very high resolution), and strict monotonicity. Although it is slightly weaker than FEM-FCT in terms of accuracy alone, the TVD scheme still outperforms the other two schemes in comprehensive performance. The new coupled model outperforms the existing single-class ice model of SCHISM in the case of Lake Superior. For the Arctic Ocean case, it successfully reproduces the long-term changes in the sea ice extent, sea ice boundary, concentration observations from satellites, and thickness from in situ measurement.

Magnetohydrodynamic Modeling of Background Solar Wind near Mars: Comparison with MAVEN and Tianwen-1

Combined with data assimilation methods, a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical model is an effective tool to explore the mechanism of space weather. As a driver of space weather, the dynamic development of stream interaction regions (SIRs) near the orbit of Mars is an area of active research. In this study, we use the interplanetary total variation diminishing (TVD) MHD model to simulate solar wind parameters and model SIRs near Mars from 2021 November 15 to 2021 December 31. In this model, the MHD equations are solved by the conservation TVD Lax–Friedrichs scheme in a rotating spherical coordinate system with six component meshes used on the spherical shell. Solar wind velocity, density, temperature, and magnetic field strength are given at the inner boundary due to the characteristic waves propagating outward. We compared modeled results with observations from Mars Atmospheric Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) and Tianwen-1 (China’s first Mars exploration mission). Statistical analysis shows that the simulated results can capture SIRs and are in good agreement with observations; moreover, the assimilated results based on the Kalman filter improve the accuracy of numerical prediction compared with simulated results. This paper is the first attempt to simulate SIR events combined with MAVEN and Tianwen-1 in situ observations. Our work demonstrates that using the MHD model with the Kalman filter to reconstruct solar wind parameters can help us study the characteristics of SIRs near Mars, improve the capabilities of space weather forecasting, and understand the background solar wind environment.

New Results for Riemann Solution of the Cargo-LeRoux Model by the Application of Flux-Limiter Schemes

The Rienamm solution of the Cargo-LeRoux model has been recently introduced in [1] in which authors have found the exact solutions to the initial value problem. This work is the first attempt to apply numerical methods for the Cargo-LeRoux model. The higher-order flux limiter method applied in this paper holds the total variation diminishing property and gives smooth solutions in steep gradient regions. Various limiter functions that lead to different accuracy in numerical results are tested for the Riemann problem. The numerical investigations presented in this work can be used to review limiter-based TVD schemes extensively and to construct a class of highly efficient finite volume/ finite difference methods for such models.

LES of autoignition process in a turbulent droplet-laden mixing layer – impact of an evaporation model and discretisation method

This paper focuses on the numerical modelling of the autoignition process in an ethanol-air mixture within a turbulent droplet-laden temporally evolving mixing layer, utilising the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) method. We compare results obtained by implementing two notably distinct discretisation methods (second-order Total Variation Diminishing – TVD, and fifth-order Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory – WENO) in the species and energy transport equations. Additionally, we examine three widely recognised evaporation models (the ‘ D 2 ’ model, the Abramzon–Sirignano model, and a non-equilibrium model based on the Langmuir-Knudsen law). For modelling the combustion process, we employ the Eulerian Stochastic Field method and a laminar chemistry model. The simulations encompass two droplet diameter distributions, one with low and the other with significant diameter non-uniformity. Furthermore, nine distinct initial conditions are considered. Our findings indicate that adjusting the discretisation scheme or the evaporation model can yield simulation outcomes differing to a substantial degree, similar to the impact of modifying the actual properties of the spray droplets or their initial distribution. This is particularly pronounced in the case of sprays featuring a narrowed droplet diameter distribution. We found that the Abramzon–Sirignano model results in the most rapid autoignition. The TVD scheme contributes to a more even spatial distribution of the evaporated fuel, consequently facilitating quicker evaporation and faster autoignition. Using the WENO scheme generates higher fuel vapor gradients near the droplets, leading to less intense evaporation and slower fuel transport in space.

A Novel Cellular Automata Framework for Modeling Depth-Averaged Solute Transport during Pluvial and Fluvial Floods

Currently, for modeling two-dimensional (2D) solute transport during pluvial and fluvial floods, the finite volume (FV) models are widely used because of their strong ability to handle steep concentration and velocity gradients from the flow advection term. However, heavy computational requirements are subsequently introduced which limit the numerical efficiency. To further increase numerical efficiency but keep the required accuracy, this study proposes a novel Solute Transport Modeling based on Cellular Automata framework (STMCA) to simulate solute transport due to the flow advection, turbulent diffusion, and material decay mechanisms in several sets of explicit algebraic equations. Four studied cases involving steep gradients of solute concentration and velocities in steady/unsteady violent flow conditions are used to compare the accuracy of the STMCA approach with a Godunov-type FV solute transport approach with a total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme. Then, the performances of the two approaches on water quality modeling are assessed through the E. Coli transport modeling during pluvial/fluvial floods on a real-scale terrain. The proposed STMCA approach is found to achieve almost the same accuracy as the FV approach. As to the numerical efficiency, the STMCA approach is faster than the FV approach by 289.6–328.6%. Hence, the proposed STMCA approach is proven to be an effective tool for simulating solute transport.

Unconditionally stable higher order semi-implicit level set method for advection equations

We present compact semi-implicit finite difference schemes on structured grids for numerical solutions of advection by an external velocity and by a speed in the normal direction that are applicable in level set methods. The recommended numerical scheme is third order accurate for the linear advection in the 2D case with a space dependent velocity. Using a combination of analytical and numerical tools in the von Neumann stability analysis, the third order scheme is claimed to be unconditionally stable. We also present a simple high-resolution scheme that gives a TVD (Total Variation Diminishing) approximation of the spatial derivative for the advected level set function in the 1D case. In the case of nonlinear advection, a semi-implicit discretization is proposed to linearize the problem. The compact implicit part of the stencil of numerical schemes contains unknowns only in the upwind direction. Consequently, algebraic solvers like the fast sweeping method can be applied efficiently to solve the resulting algebraic systems. Numerical tests to evolve a smooth and non-smooth interface and an example with a large variation of the velocity confirm the good accuracy of the third order scheme even in the case of very large Courant numbers. The advantage of the high-resolution scheme is documented for examples where the advected level set functions contain large jumps in the gradient.

Adaptive symmetric flux limiters with long computation times for hyperbolic conservation laws

The construction of the limiter is a critical factor in the traditional Total Variation Diminishing (TVD) scheme. Among the classical limiters, superbee has the lowest numerical dissipation, but it can lead to over-compression in smooth regions and excessive artificial steepening at discontinuities and critical points if the computation time is prolonged. Classical limiters like Minmod, van Leer, van Albada, and MC fail to distinguish between different wave types, and they can even cause numerical oscillations for multi-critical value problems with prolonged computation times. A class of adaptive limiters has been created by combining classical limiters with superbee. This adaptive limiter can achieve second-order accuracy in smoothed regions and effectively reduce over-compression and excessive artificial steepening for long computation times. Analytical and numerical results show that the MUSCL scheme with an adaptive limiter is efficient.

A new high-fidelity Total Variation Diminishing scheme based on the Boundary Variation Diminishing principle for compressible flows

High-accuracy and stable simulations of compressible flows have been highly demanded in many engineering situations. However, it remains a challenging task due to the complicated fluid structures in compressible flows, which include both continuous and discontinuous solutions. The total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme is a mainstream numerical method because it has second-order accuracy for the smooth solution and suppresses numerical oscillations near the discontinuous solution. The properties of the TVD scheme depend on the design of the second-order slope-limiter function, Φ(r), for which minmod, superbee, and van Leer types are commonly adopted. However, the limiter function that provides both superior numerical accuracy and stability has not yet been established. In this paper, we provide an adaptive model for determining the suitable limiter function in the second-order TVD range, unlike the conventional methods, which use one type of limiter function for the entire calculation region. To designate the suitable limiter value, we use the boundary variation diminishing (BVD) principle, which suggests the most appropriate reconstruction method within the specific candidates. The numerical results of benchmark tests show that the proposed scheme has fewer numerical dissipation errors and provides a suitable limiter value that ensures both accuracy and stability.

Inverse asymptotic treatment: Capturing discontinuities in fluid flows via equation modification

A major challenge in developing accurate and robust numerical solutions to multi-physics problems is to correctly model evolving discontinuities in field quantities. These manifest themselves as interfaces between different phases in multi-phase flows, or as shock and contact discontinuities in (either single- or multi-phase) compressible flows. A plethora of bespoke discretization schemes have been developed to capture both types of discontinuities in physics-based simulations. However, when a quick response is required to rapidly emerging challenges such as the need to design novel hypersonic vehicles, the complexity of such implementations impedes a swift transition from problem formulation to computation. This is exacerbated by the need to compose multiple interacting physics, which may cause specialized schemes to break unexpectedly as governing equations need to be changed and/or added. We introduce “inverse asymptotic treatment” (IAT) as a unified framework for capturing discontinuities in fluid flows that enables building directly computable models based on standard, off-the-shelf numerics. By capturing discontinuities through modifications at the level of the governing equations, rather than via reliance on specialized discretization schemes, IAT can seemlessly handle additional physics and thus makes it easier for novice end users to quickly obtain numerical results for a variety of multi-physics scenarios. This strategy also facilitates the use of a “multi-physics” compiler that automates the conversion of the modified PDEs to numerical source code readable by popular computational frameworks like OpenFOAM. We outline IAT in the context of phase-field modeling of two-phase incompressible flows, and then demonstrate its generality by showing how localized artificial diffusivity (LAD) methods for single-phase compressible flows can be viewed as instances of IAT. Through the real-world example of a laminar hypersonic compression corner, we illustrate IAT’s ability to, within a span of just a few months, generate a directly computable model whose wall metrics predictions for sufficiently small corner angles come close to that of NASA’s state-of-the-art VULCAN-CFD solver. Finally, we propose a novel LAD approach via “reverse-engineered” PDE modifications, inspired by total variation diminishing (TVD) flux limiters, to eliminate the problem-dependent parameter tuning that plagues traditional LAD. Through canonical numerical tests, we demonstrate that this “limiter-inspired” LAD approach, when combined with second-order central differencing, can robustly and accurately model compressible flows.

Vlasov-Fokker-Planck-Maxwell simulations for plasmas in inertial confinement fusion

This work presents a code to simulate collisions and laser-plasma interactions of multiple-species plasmas by solving 1D3V Vlasov-Fokker-Planck-Maxwell equations. The distribution functions of all species are expanded into spherical harmonic series of arbitrary order. Each electron or ion species possesses its distinct and suitable velocity mesh and the number of harmonics. Collisions between different ion species are considered and treated with the Fokker-Planck collision term. The code employs the total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme to avoid numerical instabilities in the region of steep density, rarefied plasma-vacuum interface, and non-periodic boundary conditions, which makes it possible to simulate cases that are close to actual physical scenes. The number of particles is globally conserved for each species, the energy for each species is conserved for collisions between the same species, and total energy is conserved for collisions between different species.

Propagation characteristics of tsunami waves in shear flow based on the Boussinesq model with constant vorticity

Propagation of tsunami wave in linear shear flow with constant vorticity is studied in this paper. The nonlinear and dispersive Boussinesq equations for water waves in shear flow are derived by introducing uniform vorticity into the Euler equations. Generally, the transoceanic propagation of tsunami can be well simulated by the weakly nonlinear Boussinesq model. Thus, the nonlinear and dispersive terms are retained to the first-order and second-order (ϵ,μ2) respectively in the Boussinesq equations with uniform vorticity in the present work, which satisfies the simulation accuracy especially the dispersion effects of the long-distance propagation of tsunamis and does not require huge computational cost for the simulation. The set of equations is solved with the total variation diminishing (TVD) Lax–Wendroff scheme which is second-order both in space and time. This TVD scheme is applicable to handle the dispersion effects of the N-waves and undular bores. Different patterns of tsunami wave in the water with presence of vorticity are simulated by the numerical model. Wave height and wavelength are affected by the current with vorticity. The pattern of solitary wave is significantly changed in upstream and downstream conditions. The wave deformation and propagation speed of N-waves and undular bores in the shear flow are also studied. The vorticity has impacts on the leading crest amplitude and the maximum wave appearance time for N-wave and changes the wave amplitude and the following water level for undular bores.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF A FLUID FLOW IN THE CYLINDRICAL DUCT CONTAINING TWO DIAPHRAGMS WITH ORIFICES OF DIFFERENT DIAMETERS

The flow of a viscous incompressible fluid in a cylindrical duct with two serial diaphragms with orifices of different diameters was studied based on the numerical solution of the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. The solution algorithm was based on the finite volume method using second-order accurate difference schemes in both space and time. The TVD (Total-Variation Diminishing) form of a central-difference scheme with a flux limiter was used for the interpolation of the convective terms. The combined evaluation of the velocity and pressure fields was carried out using the PISO (Pressure Implicit Split Operator) procedure. The problem was solved using OpenFOAM (Open-source Field Operation And Manipulation) open-source toolkit libraries using the computing power of the cluster supercomputer of the V.M. Glushkov Institute of Cybernetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. It was shown that within a certain range of the diameter ratio of the orifices of the diaphragms, a circulation movement is established in the cavity between the diaphragms. The boundary layer breaks off from the surface of the first diaphragm and forms an annular shear layer. When approaching the second diaphragm, a sequence of ring vortices is formed in it, which interact with the surface of the diaphragm and lead to the emergence of tonal sound. When the ratio of the orifice diameter of the second diaphragm to the first decreases, the share of the jet’s kinetic energy, which participates in the circulation in the middle of the cavity between the diaphragms, increases. As a result, the amplitude of velocity fluctuations in the orifice of the second diaphragm decreases. When the ratio of the diameters of the orifices increases, the share of energy involved in the circulation decreases, and when a certain value of the ratio is reached, the interaction between the vortices in the shear layer and the surface of the diaphragm does not occur. As a result, the excitation of the tonal sound stops. The Strouhal number of self-oscillations practically does not change when the diameter ratio of the orifices changes. During the calculations, two different modes of self-oscillation were obtained, which is consistent with previous works.

On the Convergence of α Schemes with Source Terms for Scalar Convex Conservation Laws

In this study, we use an extension of Yang’s convergence criterion [N. Jiang, On the wavewise entropy inequality for high-resolution schemes with source terms II: the fully discrete case] to show the entropy convergence of a class of fully discrete α schemes, now with source terms, for non-homogeneous scalar convex conservation laws in the one-dimensional case. The homogeneous counterparts (HCPs) of these schemes were constructed by S. Osher and S. Chakravarthy in the mid-1980s [A New Class of High Accuracy TVD Schemes for Hyperbolic Conservation Laws (1985), Very High Order Accurate TVD Schemes (1986)], and the entropy convergence of these methods, when m=2, was settled by the author [N. Jiang, The Convergence of α Schemes for Conservation Laws II: Fully-Discrete]. For semi-discrete α schemes, with or without source terms, the entropy convergence of these schemes was previously established (for m=2) by the author [N. Jiang, The Convergence of α Schemes for Conservation Laws I: Semi-Discrete Case].

The application of upwind meshless approximation finite volume method to the convection dominated problems on the unstructured and deformed meshes

The primary objective of this research is to develop a finite volume method that can incorporate the most widely recognized upwind schemes using meshless techniques on an unstructured mesh. The recently developed Meshless Approximation Finite Volume Method (MAFVM) is expected to provide a solution to the convection–diffusion equation with an extremely high Pélect number, regardless of the type or quality of mesh, even when dealing with highly distorted meshes. By incorporating the local compactly supported radial basis functions differential quadrature method (LCRBFDQ), a meshless approximation technique, the field variables, flux, and gradient are directly approximated using information from neighboring scattered nodes. Building upon this concept, we propose two meshless approximation approaches for computing the flux and gradient within the framework of the finite volume method. Elliptic type problem on regular mesh is solved using the proposed MAFVM by different flux computation methods. Parameters for MAFVM that provide accurate and robust results are suggested. Next standard linear and second order upwind schemes as well as the well-known total variation diminishing (TVD) methods are integrated into the proposed MAFVM, using the developed flux calculation method to solve convection–diffusion problem with very high Pélect number on standard or highly deformed mesh. Accurate and robust results can be observed which show that the current MAFVM can provide an alternative and better way to deal with strong convection problem on meshes of arbitrary types by the proposed meshless flux computation methods.

Numerical improvement to Glauert correction for the flow around a wind turbine

AbstractAccurate and reliable computation of the aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbines is very important for the development of new efficient designs. The flow around a wind turbine is modeled by a permeable disc (PD), solved through the Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations (URANS), here named PD/URANS method. The finite volume method and a total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme solve numerically the flow governing equations. The turbulent flow in the wake of the wind turbine is simulated utilising a one-equation turbulence model. The Glauert correction calculation considers a uniform normal force distribution (CT) on the virtual permeable disc applied to the flow, while the axial induction factor is obtained directly from the numerical solution of the URANS equations. The numerical axial induction factor obtained agrees fairly well with Glauert correction, except if the flow behind the turbine is highly unsteady and Reynolds number dependent.

Numerical Simulation of Nonlinear Wave Propagation from Deep to Shallow Water

Herein, a numerical model is proposed to simulate the nonlinear wave propagation from deep to shallow water and wave breaking phenomena. In the numerical model, the governing equations selected, in which the momentum equations were added to the eddy-viscous breaking and bottom friction terms to simulate the wave breaking phenomenon, are suitable for the wave propagation from deep to shallow water. The spatial derivations of the governing equations are discretized with the hybrid scheme, combining the finite-difference and finite-volume methods. To numerically simulate the nonlinear wave propagation in waters with various depths accurately, the non-conservative governing equations are reorganized as conservative to facilitate a total variation diminishing (TVD) type scheme using a Riemann solver. Extensive numerical tests of nonlinear wave propagation have been realized in waters with large relative water depths and varying water depths. The comparisons between numerical and analytical or experimental results indicated that the numerical results are reasonable and reliable, and the present numerical model can effectively simulate the wave-breaking phenomenon.

High-fidelity simulations for Turing pattern formation in multi-dimensional Gray–Scott reaction-diffusion system

In this study, the authors present high-fidelity numerical simulations for capturing the Turing pattern in a multi-dimensional Gray–Scott reaction-diffusion system. For this purpose, an explicit mixed modal discontinuous Galerkin (DG) scheme based on multi-dimensional structured meshes is employed. This numerical scheme deals with high-order derivatives in diffusion, and highly nonlinear functions in reaction terms. Spatial discretization is accomplished using hierarchical basis functions based on scaled Legendre polynomials. A new reaction term treatment is also detailed, showing an intrinsic property of the DG scheme and preventing incorrect solutions due to excessively nonlinear reaction terms. The system is reduced to a set of time-dependent ordinary differential equations, which are solved with an explicit third-order Total Variation Diminishing (TVD) Runge–Kutta method. The Saddle-Node, Hopf, and Turing bifurcations’ boundary conditions are also examined for the system, and subsequently, Turing space is identified. The developed numerical scheme is applied to various multidimensional Gray–Scott systems to assess its ability to capture Turing pattern formation. Several test problems, such as stationary and non-stationary waves, pulse-splitting waves, self-replicating waves, and different types of spots, are chosen from the literature to demonstrate the different Turing patterns.