S3D-legion an exascale software for direct numerical simulation of turbulent combustion with complex multicomponent chemistry

New methods are needed to explore novel fuels and design better engines that can substantially increase combustion efficiency, extend the longevity of finite fossil fuel reserves, and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions. Government mandates to reduce petroleum use by 25% by 2020 and greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 are also exerting pressure on industry and will require significant retooling of all aspects of energy use in the United States. Achieving these aggressive goals requires the automotive industry to significantly shorten its design cycle. The transportation sector alone accounts for two-thirds of the nation’s petroleum use and one-quarter of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Compounding these challenges, fuels are also evolving, adding another layer of complexity and further highlighting the need for rapid development cycles. We believe the optimal path to fast design cycles is through predictive modeling and simulation, enabled by recent advances in supercomputing.