Institute

Institute of Technology and Engineering (ITE)

Numerical simulations and calculations

Numerische Simulationen und Berechnungen — Proton beam window of the ESS. Superimposition of an image of the real component with the flow simulation for cooling (coloured representation: flow velocity in helium and temperatures in the component).

When developing new instruments and processes for science, the limits of what is feasible are often reached. This requires careful design and optimization of components that are exposed to extreme loads during subsequent operation and processes that are crucial to the success of the subsequent scientific experiment. Using modern simulation methods, we can evaluate concepts in advance, determine important influencing factors and detect development errors or weak points at an early stage. This saves us time and money. Complex test series are avoided or shortened by our computer simulations. At the same time, we calculate effects that cannot be measured or can only be measured at great expense.

In our simulations, for example, we determine tensions and vulnerable component areas. We determine the vibration behaviour and critical natural frequencies, calculate temperature and magnetic fields or simulate complex flow processes. Whether enormous heat, vacuum or high pressure, particle interactions, high rotational speeds or even bird strike - we ensure that the components and instruments we develop perform reliably in research. In particular, components that will later be exposed to extreme loads are efficiently planned and optimised by us on the computer. Manufactured according to our specifications, they then fulfil their task reliably and trouble-free in daily operation, saving us time and money. Complex test series are avoided or shortened by our computer simulations. At the same time, we calculate effects that cannot be measured or can only be measured at great expense.

The more detailed the simulation models are, the more accurate the results that our experts receive from the calculations. However, suitable computer resources are required to calculate large simulation models. In this context, it is important to have sufficient main memory to be able to carry out the simulations at all, but a large number of quickly networked processors is also crucial for the level of detail of the simulation models that can be calculated within an acceptable period of time. With the JuZEA-1, ZEA-1 has a customised HPC cluster at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) at its disposal; a system consisting of 10 computing nodes with 48 cores each, a 100 Gbit/s InfiniBand network and 4608 GB of main memory.