Session: 05-07-02: CFD Development and V&V

Paper Number: 141080

141080 - Gpu-Accelerated Volumetric Lattice Boltzmann Method for Pore-Scale Flows in Image-Based Porous Structures 

Solving pore-scale porous media flows (PSPMFs) based on imaging data has attracted increasing attention due to diverse application demands, including the understanding of chemical contaminant propagation in underground reservoirs, ink permeation, sedimentation processes, hazardous waste storage, and fluid flow in oil reservoirs and biological tissues. Traditionally, porous media flow was characterized by temporally and spatially averaged flow models, typically employing phenomenological and empirically derived constitutive equations like Darcy's law. However, these conventional approaches often fail to capture the inherent heterogeneity, complex pore interconnectivity, and morphologies of porous media due to the absence of suitable research tools. In this presentation, we introduce a novel computational platform called InPore, which utilizes a kinetic-based volumetric lattice Boltzmann method to solve PSPMFs within image-based porous structures. InPore offers several distinctive features: Integrated Modeling: It incorporates a unified lattice Boltzmann modeling approach that seamlessly integrates image extraction and fluid dynamics. This eliminates the need for additional grid or mesh generation steps and simplifies data transfer across multiple software packages. Local and High-Speed Computation: InPore leverages cutting-edge GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) parallel computing technology to enable rapid and localized computations, facilitating high-fidelity simulations. The presentation will include demonstrations of application studies showcasing InPore's capabilities. Furthermore, we will discuss the integration of InPore with supplemental mechanisms such as mass/heat transfer, interfacial dynamics, and chemical reactions. This enhancement aims to broaden its functionality for tackling real-world porous media flows, thereby advancing our comprehension of intricate phenomena within porous materials.

Presenting Author: Huidan (Whitney) Yu Purdue University