Component-based modelling of multi-physics systems

To facilitate the modelling of multi-component systems, the multiphysics simulation framework developed earlier by the authors was extended with a concept of a physical component. The approach enables one to model multiple associations between physical processes and components of the system. This modelling paradigm allows for coexistence of different models in the same region of space, and at the same time provides the possibility to confine some physical processes to certain regions. The approach is well suited for simulations of multi-component media, such as complex engineering systems, as well as biological and geophysical objects. The scope of physical modelling can range from the solution of 3D partial differential equations (PDEs) to simple 1D and 2D approximations. A mixed multi-dimensional modelling is thus possible. The approach was applied to simulate fuel cells using a combined transport solver in multi-species environment. A number of physical models were solved for different components comprising a typical fuel cell. Models for unsteady fluid dynamics, species and heat transport, electrochemistry, and electric currents were combined within different spatial domains and interfaced for common variables at the inter-domain boundaries.