A parallel algorithm for the detailed numerical simulation of reactive flows

This chapter aims to use parallel computers to advance in the simulation of laminar flames using finite rate kinetics. A parallel version of an existing sequential, sub-domain based CFD code for reactive flows has been developed. Although industrial combustors work under turbulent conditions, studies allowing laminar flow conditions are a common issue in their design. Furthermore, a good understanding of laminar flames and their properties constitute a basic ingredient for the modeling of flows that are more complex. In this chapter, the physical model is described. The advantages and disadvantages of different strategies to parallelize the code are discussed. A domain decomposition approach with communications only after outer iterations is implemented. It is shown, for the specific problem, that this approach provides good numerical efficiencies on different computing platforms, including clusters of PC. Finally, illustrative results are also presented in the chapter.