3D Tracer Dispersion Model Decoupled from Ocean Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocean modeling systems face challenges in efficiently simulating the advection diffusion reaction (ADR) of dissolved or particulate tracers due to complex biological interactions, poorly constrained parameters, and the need for direct integration with physical ocean models, which can be computationally wasteful and limited by availability of resources and data.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses pre-computed velocity fields from ocean circulation models to drive a separate ADR simulation, allowing for the computation of tracer forecasts without requiring direct integration into physical models, using a numerical advection scheme with iterative adjustments for continuity and mass conservation, and enabling the use of analysis fields from sources like radar observations or satellite data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct integration of ADR computations is performed into physical ocean models, then tracer forecast accuracy is improved, but computational resources are wasted and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the ocean modeling problem into separate modules: a physical ocean circulation model that computes velocity fields, and a separate ADR model that uses these velocity fields to compute tracer concentrations. This segmentation allows each model to be optimized independently and avoids the complexity of direct integration while maintaining forecast accuracy through the coupling of results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces velocity fields as an intermediary between the physical ocean model and the ADR model. The velocity fields serve as a mediator that transfers information from the circulation model to the tracer model, enabling accurate tracer forecasts without requiring direct integration of complex biological and chemical processes into the physical model.
2Measurement precision
If direct integration of ADR computations is performed into physical ocean models, then tracer forecast accuracy is improved, but computational time and resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary computation of velocity fields from the physical ocean circulation model before running the ADR computations. By preparing the velocity field data in advance and storing it for use by the ADR model, the system avoids the need to re-compute complex physical ocean processes during each ADR simulation, significantly improving computational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified representation of the physical ocean model's velocity fields that can be reused by the ADR model without requiring direct integration. This copying approach allows the ADR model to access the necessary dynamic information from the circulation model without replicating the entire complex physical modeling system.
3Reliability
If multiple ensemble simulations are performed to account for parameter uncertainty, then forecast reliability is improved, but computational resources are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the velocity field information from the physical ocean model that is necessary for ADR computations, separating this from the complex biological and chemical process calculations. This extraction allows ensemble simulations to focus only on the tracer transport aspects, reducing the computational burden while maintaining the ability to assess parameter uncertainty through multiple simulations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides computational savings and improves the accuracy of tracer forecasts by decoupling ADR simulations from physical ocean models, reducing spurious artifacts, and allowing for the use of alternative data sources, thus enhancing forecasting applications and research programs.
Implementation Method 1
The ADR processor combines a numerical advection scheme with previously computed velocity fields
Implementation Method 2
Dispersion is the action or process of distributing materials over a wide area—specific to fluid dynamics this refers to the combined action of advection and diffusion
Data Source
AI summary
System for solving for the fully three-dimensional advection diffusion reaction (ADR) of dissolved or particulate tracers (biological or chemical materials) in aquatic environments including an input processor and an ADR tracer field processor. Results from a single execution of an ocean circulation model may be used to drive a separate ADR computer simulation and compute a tracer forecast. The velocity fields are not required to be from an ocean circulation model, they could be analysis fields derived from some other source, such as high frequency RADAR observations or satellite-based surface ocean velocity inversion/detection methods.