Research Archives - Institute of Numerical Modelling https://modinst.lu.lv/en/pakalpojumi/research/ Scientific Institute of the University of Latvia Tue, 02 Mar 2021 11:54:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 Hydrogeology https://modinst.lu.lv/en/pakalpojums/hidrogeologija/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 14:01:03 +0000 http://modinst.lu.lv/pakalpojums/hidrogeologija/ The post Hydrogeology appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

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  • Hydrogeology

Description

We possess many years of experience in the field of groundwater filtration process modelling and visualization for various geological structures. We can assess the impact of various hydro-structures (dams, levees, dikes) on the underground water cycle and the availability of water resources. We have developed a 3D hydrogeological model of the Baltic Artesian Basin, which provides an additional opportunity for large scale water circulation assessments.

Methodology

We have developed the HiFiGeo software and an array of scripts for automated hydrogeological modelling based on geological data. We create complex 3D geological structures from heterogeneous data sources and have extensive expertise in hydrogeological processes in the Baltic Artesian Basin.

Projects

  • ESF PUMA: Development of a hydrogeological model for the Baltic Artesian Basin (including Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and partially Poland and Russia), which allows to assess water flows in the area, up to the bedrock.
  • Long-term cooperation with SIA Latvenergo: Hydro-electric dam cascade filtration process evaluation.

Contact

Uldis Bethers, Dr.Phys.
+371 29 561 523
uldis.bethers@lu.lv
0000-0002-1596-385X
linkedin.com/in/uldis-bethers

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]]> Climate https://modinst.lu.lv/en/pakalpojums/klimats/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:58:40 +0000 http://modinst.lu.lv/pakalpojums/klimats/ The post Climate appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

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  • Hydrogeology

Description

Many years of experience in the field of meteorological observation processing and climate data analysis using regional and global climate models. We have developed methods for projecting global climate change predictions to local scale (e.g. Latvia or the city of Riga). We offer data-based weather forecast (road condition predictions, phenology etc.) as well as climate change analysis.

Methodology

Processing of data, temperature, precipitation, wind speed and other meteorological observation data series using statistical methods. Downscaling techniques for adapting climate forecasts to specific regions. Large database with regional climate models has been accumulated and various scripts for fast and efficient processing of climate data have been developed.

Projects

  • National research program KALME: Identification of key weather parameters (precipitation, temperature, wind, etc.) for future climate projections of Latvia.
  • ERDF PROMESYS: Development of data-analysis solutions for the evaluation of climate change impact, e.g. ripening of different plants, road conditions, health risks (migraines), etc.
  • Assessment of the public safety risks caused by climate change: An analysis of the impact of the key risks such as floods, fires, storms has been performed.

Contact

Uldis Bethers, Dr.Phys.
+371 29 561 523
uldis.bethers@lu.lv
0000-0002-1596-385X
linkedin.com/in/uldis-bethers

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]]> Atmosphere and Ocean https://modinst.lu.lv/en/pakalpojums/atmosfera-un-jura/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:55:11 +0000 http://modinst.lu.lv/pakalpojums/atmosfera-un-jura/ The post Atmosphere and Ocean appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

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  • Hydrogeology

Description

Over 20 years of experience in development and application of atmospheric and oceanographic models. Operational modelling for Latvian territorial waters and inland waters (major lakes) is performed. An atmospheric model for Latvian mainland and its coastal zone has been created. Extensive experience in modelling of ports and other economic activities, as well as formulating analysis-based recommendations. We are also capable of modelling drifting objects for behavioural assessment.

Methodology

Weather and climate studies are conducted using mathematical modelling and numerical weather models such as the WRF (Weather Research and Forecast) model. The oceanographic model is based on the HBM ocean model developed by the Danish Meteorological Institute. For port use, a model for debris transfer has been developed, as well as a behavioural model of drifting objects that is coupled to the oceanographic model.

Projects

  • Cross-border cooperation project GORWIND (Latvia and Estonia): assessing the potential of wind power for electricity generation on coastline of the Gulf of Riga.
  • MERCATOR project Present the Present: Development of a free-access website for daily sea weather forecasts, supplemented with a drift calculation model, readily available for predicting the transport of objects in the Baltic Sea.

Contact

Uldis Bethers, Dr.Phys.
+371 29 561 523
uldis.bethers@lu.lv
0000-0002-1596-385X
linkedin.com/in/uldis-bethers

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]]> Combustion https://modinst.lu.lv/en/pakalpojums/degsanas-procesi/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:50:16 +0000 http://modinst.lu.lv/pakalpojums/degsanas-procesi/ The post Combustion appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

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  • Hydrogeology

Description

Analysis and visualization of various combustion and chemical reaction processes. Previous studies have been carried out at biomass gasification plants, for hydrochloric acid recovery furnaces, etc., remedying equipment deficiencies, minimizing precipitation formation and improving technical parameters.

Methodology

Analysis and numerical modelling of gas flow, temperature and concentration fields, as well as solid particle motion (e.g. coal, ash) using commercial (ANSYS Fluent) and open-source (OpenFOAM). Modelling results allow one to obtain system parameters such as efficiency, carbon conversion rate, power and fuel consumption.

Projects

  • Cooperation agreement with SIA EnertecGreen: During the project, the cause of precipitation in the gasification plant was investigated and identified, thus ensuring the continued operation of the equipment.
  • Cooperation agreement with Evectra Limited (UK): During the project, technical solutions for improving the equipment efficiency were studied via mathematical modelling.

Contact

Vadims Geža, Dr.Phys.
+371 29 444 203
vadims.geza@lu.lv
0000-0001-9395-0205
linkedin.com/in/vadims-geza

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]]> Metallurgy https://modinst.lu.lv/en/pakalpojums/metalurgija/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:47:18 +0000 http://modinst.lu.lv/pakalpojums/metalurgija/ The post Metallurgy appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

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  • Hydrogeology

Description

Analysis of metallurgical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and electrothermal processes and research using long-term experience in modelling of various metals in liquid and solid state. We offer our services in modelling, parametric studies and optimization of physical systems involving mass and heat transfer in liquid metals, semiconductor materials, as well as in industrial equipment: melting furnaces, metal casting equipment, pumps, mixers, levitation melting etc.

Methodology

Distribution of velocity, temperature, electromagnetic and other physical fields in solid liquid and gaseous environments, as well as numerical modeling and research of phase transitions is performed using both commercial modelling software (ANSYS Maxwell, ANSYS FLUENT, ANSYS CFX, COMSOL) and open source software (OpenFOAM, Elmer, Elmer-OpenFOAM Library). We use high-performance computing (HPC) solutions for large-scale numerical models – both using your own cluster computer and cloud computing services.

Projects

  • Cooperation agreement with Vereinigung zur Foerderung des Instituts fuer Elektrowaerme der Universitaet Hannover (Germany): Mathematical model for electromagnetic control of steel direct conveyor belt casting technology and its applications for improvement of productivity and energy efficiency of the process.
  • ERAF project: development of numerical modelling approaches to study complex multiphysical interactions in electromagnetic liquid metal technologies.
  • TEMPUS project: PhD education in energy efficient electrotechnologies at Russian universities.

Contact

Andris Jakovičs, Dr.Phys.
+371 29 155 711
andris.jakovics@lu.lv
0000-0003-3410-5081

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]]> Image Processing https://modinst.lu.lv/en/pakalpojums/attelu-apstrade/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:41:40 +0000 http://modinst.lu.lv/pakalpojums/attelu-apstrade/ The post Image Processing appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

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  • Hydrogeology

Description

Image processing is necessary for a wide array of technological and scientific applications. Optical or electron microscopy, static or dynamic x-ray and neutron imaging, measuring system dynamics with frame sequences acquired via cameras – all of these methods require noise filtering, artefact removal, segmentation analysis, object tracking, parameter measurements etc. Sometimes image restoration is needed especially for damaged and blurred images. In scientific measurements, one often needs to work with images with a low signal-to-noise intensity ratio, which means that specialized methods (often ad hoc) are necessary for non-destructive image filtering.

Methodology

We offer our services in the field of scientific image processing and image restoration, including processing and analysing data derived from images. We use either existing tools or develop a framework tailored to a certain application.

For image processing, we use proprietary packages Wolfram Mathematica and Matlab (via Matlink), and open-source tools such as ImageJ and OpenCV, Python, etc.  We use the following methods for image processing: noise reduction with brightness anisotropic diffusion and curvature flow, BM3D, (non-)local averaging, Fourier and wavelet filters; n-Otsu, Chan-Vese, local adaptive segmentation; texture restoration using synthesis and evolution equation methods, as well as our in-house algorithms such as multiscale recursive interrogation filtering and colour tone map masking.

Projects

  • Cooperation contract with Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Germany): the development of image processing methods and algorithms for two-phase MHD flow analysis.
  • Cooperation agreement with SIA Vizulo (Latvia): Development of ray tracing models for industrial luminaires and optimization of spatial illumination patterns.
  • ERDF project: Development of numerical modelling approaches to study complex multiphysical interactions in electromagnetic liquid metal technologies.

Contact

Andris Jakovičs, Dr.Phys.
+371 29 155 711
andris.jakovics@lu.lv
0000-0003-3410-5081

The post Image Processing appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

]]> Illumination Systems https://modinst.lu.lv/en/pakalpojums/apgaismojuma-sistemas/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:36:47 +0000 http://modinst.lu.lv/pakalpojums/apgaismojuma-sistemas/ The post Illumination Systems appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

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  • Hydrogeology

Description

Illumination patterns must be tailored to each specific application, while maintaining energy efficiency, compliance with optical and electromagnetic safety standards, and design simplicity. Simulations of lighting patterns and automated optimization of optical element placement, parameters, as well as luminaire reflector shapes are the central components of any R&D pipeline, allowing to reduce expenditures due to photometric tests and prototype manufacturing by reducing the number of required iterations to optimal design.

With considerable experience and experimentally verified tools, we perform simulations of light intensity distributions produced by luminaires (including gradient index optics), design optimization (parametric and shape) and determination of specular/diffuse reflectivity and absorption coefficients for reflector coatings.

Methodology

We use both commercial software (COMSOL) and our own code for simulations of illumination patterns and luminaire design optimization. Intensity distributions are computed using a Hamiltonian ray tracer based on the Monte-Carlo method and the finite element method (FEM). Nelder-Mead and COBYLA algorithms are used for optimization.

During our collaboration with the company SIA Vizulo (Latvia), we developed a set of software tools for the development of luminaire prototypes: the optimization goal definition, ray tracing, and geometry calculation. Software tools have been successfully validated both experimentally and by comparing the results with standard optics design software packages.

Projects

  • Cooperation agreement with SIA Vizulo (Latvia): Development of ray tracing models for industrial luminaires and optimization of spatial illumination patterns.

Contact

Andris Jakovičs, Dr.Phys.
+371 29 155 711
andris.jakovics@lu.lv
0000-0003-3410-5081

The post Illumination Systems appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

]]> Systems Optimization https://modinst.lu.lv/en/pakalpojums/sistemu-optimizacija/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:33:49 +0000 http://modinst.lu.lv/pakalpojums/sistemu-optimizacija/ The post Systems Optimization appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

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  • Hydrogeology

Description

Computer assisted systems optimization is the modern-day standard for industrial R&D, reducing product time-to-market and development expense. Optimization processes can be constructed on top of virtually any physical simulation framework, provided one specifies a set of valid objectives and constraints.

The service we provide is: for a given physical system (involving electromagnetic phenomena, heat transfer, fluid flow, solid mechanics, ray optics, particles driven by forces within the system), we can set up the mathematical model, define objectives and constraints based on the objectives of the client, and implement suitable algorithms to produce the required results.

Methodology

We use commercial simulation packages (COMSOL) as well as our own specialized code to translate customers’ goals into a mathematical model and perform physical simulations and optimize the given systems.

We offer parametric, shape, and topological optimization, covering both geometry variations and simple parameters. Finite element method (FEM) is used for systems modelling, while for optimization we employ gradient-free algorithms, such as Nelder-Mead, COBYLA, BOBYQA, MMA, SNOPT.

Projects

  • Cooperation agreement with SIA Vizulo (Latvia): development of ray tracing models for industrial luminaires and optimization of spatial illumination patterns.
  • Shape optimization for plastic containers for liquid foodstuff transportation and storage.

Contact

Andris Jakovičs, Dr.Phys.
+371 29 155 711
andris.jakovics@lu.lv
0000-0003-3410-5081

The post Systems Optimization appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

]]> Thermal Physics of Materials https://modinst.lu.lv/en/pakalpojums/materialu-siltumfizika/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:31:09 +0000 http://modinst.lu.lv/pakalpojums/materialu-siltumfizika/ The post Thermal Physics of Materials appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

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  • Hydrogeology

Description

Experience in testing thermophysical properties of building materials and constructions since 1997 by using both standardized and specialized methods and equipment. We offer measurements of the following material properties: thermal conductivity and its dependence on temperature, specific heat capacity, thermal expansion coefficient, thermal effusivity (or thermal reaction), water vapor permeability, porosity and pore size distribution, surface emission coefficient.

We offer measurements of building heat transmittance for windows and doors (with standard dimensions), as well as determination of reflection and radiation permeability for transparent and partially transparent materials within a wide spectral range.

Methodology

Thermal conductivity and its dependence on temperature are determined with the guarded hot plate method or the calibrated hot plate method. C-Therm TCi equipment measures the specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity and effusivity of materials. Porosity is determined using a mercury porosimeter.

Spectrophotometers are used to determine surface emission factors depending on radiation wavelength. The linear thermal expansion coefficient is determined by measuring the extension of the heated sample using sensitive springs.

Water vapor permeability and equivalent air layer thickness are determined by placing the sample in a chamber between a moisture absorbent and an atmosphere with constant humidity and temperature and measuring the amount of water diffused through the sample over a given time interval.

Projects

  • ERDF project: Development, optimisation and sustainability research of smart solutions for near-zero energy buildings in real climate conditions.
  • INPATH-TES: Development of lecture courses on building physics and thermal energy storage materials.
  • ESF project: Development of sustainable and systemic solutions suitable for Latvian climate conditions and providing qualitative living environment in nearly zero energy buildings.
  • ERDF project: Development of composite building structures solutions in accordance with EU requirements in the field of energy efficiency and thermal comfort with using of multiphysical modelling method.

Contact

Andris Jakovičs, Dr.Phys.
+371 29 155 711
andris.jakovics@lu.lv
0000-0003-3410-5081

The post Thermal Physics of Materials appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

]]> Thermal Efficiency of Buildings https://modinst.lu.lv/en/pakalpojums/eku-energoefektivitate/ Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:27:28 +0000 http://modinst.lu.lv/pakalpojums/eku-energoefektivitate/ The post Thermal Efficiency of Buildings appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

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  • Hydrogeology

Description

Architects are faced with progressively stricter standards regarding energy efficiency and safety of buildings. One of the factors that must be considered is the hygrothermal performance, i.e. how well the building and its individual components are suited to local climate. This requires long term forecasts of condensation, mould growth, thermal bridging risks and stability with respect to water accumulation, as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system performance analysis and overall building energy efficiency assessment. Moreover, monitoring systems should be in place to keep track of the current state of the building.

With years of experience in this field, we provide diagnostics, recommendations and optimization strategies for design of insulating assemblies (walls, roofs, floors) and HVAC systems, as well as efficient solutions for monitoring of buildings.

Methodology

Using both commercial software (WUFI Pro, COMSOL) and original tools developed by our group, we prepare long term forecasts of temperature and relative humidity and assess various risks. Simulations are performed using the finite volume method (FVM) and climate data (outdoor temperature, humidity, solar radiation, etc.). Data is obtained either from certified databases or from our own meteorological stations.

Models for three-dimensional thermo-hydro-dynamic simulations of building interior climate are available and include turbulent mass and heat transfer due to HVAC and interactions with the outdoor environment, as well as air/CO2/moisture mixture transport and the effects of human presence. Here, we utilize the control volume finite element method (CVFEM). The environment most often used for calculations is ANSYS CFX.

We have also developed a low-cost and low-maintenance wireless network of temperature, humidity and heat flux sensors for long term monitoring of conditions within buildings. The network is accessible offsite via remote control utilities. We provide tailored monitoring solutions, as well as installation and data processing services.

Projects

  • ERDF project: Development, optimisation and sustainability research of smart solutions for near-zero energy buildings in real climate conditions.
  • INPATH-TES: Development of lecture courses on building physics and thermal energy storage materials.
  • ESF project: Development of sustainable and systemic solutions suitable for Latvian climate conditions and providing qualitative living environment in nearly zero energy buildings.
  • ERDF project: Development of composite building structures solutions in accordance with EU requirements in the field of energy efficiency and thermal comfort with using of multiphysical modelling method.

Contact

Andris Jakovičs, Dr.Phys.
+371 29 155 711
andris.jakovics@lu.lv
0000-0003-3410-5081

The post Thermal Efficiency of Buildings appeared first on Institute of Numerical Modelling.

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