Skip to main content
Log in

Modelling of a Utility Boiler Using Parallel Computing

  • Published:
The Journal of Supercomputing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A mathematical model for the simulation of the turbulent reactive flow and heat transfer in a power station boiler has been parallelized. The mathematical model is based on the numerical solution of the governing equations for mass, momentum, energy and transport equations for the scalar quantities. The k-ε model and the conserved scalar/prescribed probability density function formalism are employed. Radiative heat transfer is calculated using the discrete ordinates method. The code has been fully parallelized using the spatial domain decomposition approach and MPI. Calculations were performed using an IBM-SP2. It is shown that the computational requirements are reduced and the parallel efficiency increases if the mean temperature and density are calculated a priori, and stored. The role of the different parts of the code on the parallel performance is discussed. A speedup of 5.9 is achieved using 8 processors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. B. Risio, R. Schneider, U. Schnell and K. R. C. Hein, “HPF-Implementation of a 3D-Combustion Code on Parallel Computer Architectures Using Fine Grain Parallelism”, in “Parallel Computational Fluid Dynamics: Algorithms and Results Using Advanced Computers,” P. Schiano, A. Ecer, J. Periaux and N. Satofuka Eds., Elsevier Science, pp. 124–131(1997).

  2. B. Risio, J. Lepper, U. Schnell and K. R. G. Hein, “Microtasking Versus Message Passing Parallelization of the 3D-combustion Code AIOLOS on the NEC-SX4,” Proc. Parallel CFD'97, May 19–21, Manchester (1997).

  3. J. Lepper, R. Ruhle, U. Schnell and K. R. G. Hein, “Performance Comparison of the Cray ¨ T3E/S12 and the NEC SX r 4–32 for a Parallel CFD-code Based on Message Passing,” Proc. Parallel CFD '97, May 19–21, Manchester (1997).

  4. B. E. Launder and D. B. Spalding, “The Numerical Computation of Turbulent Flows,” Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 3, pp. 269–289(1974).

    Google Scholar 

  5. S. Gordon and B. V. McBride, “Computer Program for Calculation of Complex Chemical Equilibrium Compositions,” Rocket Performance, Incident and Reflected Shocks and Chapman-Jouget Detonations', NASA SP-273 (1971).

  6. S.-M. Jeng, L. D. Chen and G. M. Faeth, “The Structure of Buoyant Methane and Propane Flames,” 19th Symposium Int. on Combustion, The Combustion Institute, pp. 349–358(1982).

  7. B. G. Carlson and K. D. Lathrop, “Transport TheoryThe Method of Discrete Ordinates,” in “Computer Methods in Reactor Physics,” Gordon & Breach, New York (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  8. W. A. Fiveland, “Discrete-ordinates Solutions of the Radiative Transport Equation for Rectangular Enclosures,” J. Heat Transfer, Vol. 106, pp. 699–706(1984).

    Google Scholar 

  9. M. F. Modest, “Radiative Heat Transfer,” Mc Graw-Hill (1993).

  10. W. A. Fiveland, “The Selection of Discrete Ordinate Quadrature Sets for Anisotropic Scattering,” HTD-160, ASME, pp. 89–96(1991).

    Google Scholar 

  11. J. C. Chai, H. S. Lee and S. V. Patankar, “Treatment of Irregular Geometries using a Cartesian-co-ordinates-based Discrete-ordinates Method,” HTD-Vol. 244, Radiative Heat Transfer: Theory and Applications, pp. 49–54(1993).

    Google Scholar 

  12. P. J. Coelho, J. M. Gonçalves, M. G. Carvalho and D. N. Trivic, “Modelling of Radiative Heat Transfer in Enclosures with Obstacles,” Int. J. Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 41, No. 4–5, pp. 317–326(1998).

    Google Scholar 

  13. I. M. Khan and G. Greeves, “A Method for Calculating the Formation and Combustion of Soot in Diesel Engines,” in “Heat Transfer in Flames,” N. H. Afgan & J. M. Beer Ed., Scripta Book Co., chapter 25 (1974).

  14. B. F. Magnussen and B. H. Hjertager, “On Mathematical Modelling of Turbulent Combustion with Special Emphasis on Soot Formation and Combustion,” 16th Symposium Int. on Combustion, The Combustion Institute, pp. 719–728(1977).

  15. S. V. Patankar, “Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow,” Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, New York (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  16. J. Gonüalves and P. J. Coelho, “Parallelization of the Discrete Ordinates Method,” Numerical Heat Transfer. Part B: Fundamentals, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 151–173(1997).

    Google Scholar 

  17. J. Cassiano, M. V. Heitor, A. L. N. Moreira and T. F. Silva, “Temperature, Species and Heat Transfer Characteristics of a 250 MWe Utility Boiler,” Combustion Science and Technology, Vol. 98, pp. 199–215(1994).

    Google Scholar 

  18. M. G. Carvalho, P. J. Coelho, A. L. N. Moreira, A. M. C. Silva and T. F. Silva, “Comparison of Measurements and Predictions of Wall Heat Flux and Gas Composition in an Oil-fired Utility Boiler,” 25th Symposium Int. on Combustion, the Combustion Institute, pp. 227–234(1994).

  19. P. J. Coelho and M. G. Carvalho, “Evaluation of a Three-dimensional Model for the Prediction of Heat Transfer in Power Station Boilers,” Int. J. Energy Research, Vol. 19, pp. 579–592(1995).

    Google Scholar 

  20. P. J. Coelho and M. G. Carvalho, “Evaluation of a Three-dimensional Model of a Power Station Boiler,” J. Eng. Gas Turbines and Power, Vol. 118, No. 4, pp. 887–895(1996).

    Google Scholar 

  21. P. J. Coelho, “Influence of the Discretization Scheme on the Parallel Efficiency of a Code for the Simulation of a Utility Boiler,” VECPAR'98, 3rd Int. Meeting on Vector and Parallel Processing, June 21–23, Porto, Portugal (1998).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Coelho, P.J., Novo, P.A. & Carvalho, M.G. Modelling of a Utility Boiler Using Parallel Computing. The Journal of Supercomputing 13, 211–232 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008056714706

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008056714706

Navigation