MFIX - Multiphase Flow Numerical codes


	The ultimate website for understanding granular flows

MFIX
A Multiphase Flow Supercomputer Code

We carry out our simulations with a Fortran multi-phase flow computer codes named MFIX (Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchange). MFIX is developed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), division of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This codes has been developed for describing multiphase gas-solid flow hydrodynamic, heat transfer and chemical reaction in small-scale industrial setup such as risers and fluidized bed reactors. However, the capabilities of MFIX are such that it can be successfully scaled-up and applied to geophysical-volcanological system (as demonstrated in two manuscripts in preparation, and see also the next American Geophysical Union conference, Fall 2002, San Francisco). Based on our own research MFIX can properly simulate pyroclastic flows and surges alongside with co-ignimbrite ash clouds. MFIX reproduces all the main pyroclastic flow features seen by field volcanologists (e.g., based on field observations at Montserrat volcano and during the Mt. St. Helens eruptions). We have also successfully modeled turbidity currents. We are currently developing the codes to model Plinian columns as all our previous modeling efforts suggest that MFIX would be capable to capture all the Plinian column dynamics and features.

MFIX codes are flexible and opened enough to be easily modified as the user sees fit. MFIX is an open resource project which means that anyone can use the codes for his/her own applications and become an active developer. This is worth noting as in geophysics most of the equivalent codes are usually regarded as classified and not accessible.

Anyone interested in the MFIX project should contact the MFIX development team at their web site:

http://www.mfix.org

Please, in your correspondence with the MFIX development team, mention the "Granular Volcano Group" website. That would be appreciated and helpful. Thanks.

For any questions regarding MFIX and its geophysical applications, please feel free to email me. I am always looking for collaborative works (and funds!).

I would like to thank the NETL’s scientists and particularly Dr. Thomas O’Brien, Dr. Madhava Syamlal, and Dr. Sreekanth Pannala for allowing me to use the MFIX codes. Thanks to the MFIX project, for the first time ever, geophysicists and volcanologists can apply a multiphase flow supercomputer codes to the study of the utmost fascinating, devastating, and deadliest phenomenon on earth (i.e., granular gravity current).

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