ORCHESTRA (Objects Representing CHEmical Speciation and TRAnsport models) is a computer program for modeling (geo)chemical speciation and mass transport processes.
It consists of two components:
A generic calculation kernel (Java executable).
A file with model definitions in object format (object database).
This object database contains definitions of basic chemical model
elements, such as "componentes", "species",
"minerals", "surfaces", "sites" etc.
which make it possible to use ORCHESTRA in a similar way to well
known chemical speciation models such as PHREEQC, MINTEQ,
GWB or ECOSAT.
The source code of the executable calculation kernel contains NO model equations.
ALL model type definitions and equations are given as input at run time.
The structure of the model definitions is Object Oriented.
Users can construct new models by defining model objects and keywords.
ORCHESTRA is written in Java and runs on Windows, Linux, Solaris, and Apple OSX.
ORCHESTRA is very flexible as it can easily be extended with new chemical physical biological process models.
The physical separation of calculation solver and model definitions not only results in a small and efficient calculation solver executable (300 kb)
but also in very compact model definitions (object database 30 kb).
Model calculations are transparent, as all model equations are available in text format and not hidden within the source code.
The small size of the calculation solver makes it very suitable for parallel processing on modern multi core hardware.
A number of on-line introductory examples can be found (here).
An older set of examples (without the graphical user interface) can be found (here).
An old example in an earlier ORCHESTRA version that only requires Java 1.1 can be found (here).
Examples of published Orchestra applications can be found (here).
The first version of ORCHESTRA was developed at the Macaulay
Institute in Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
During 2001-2002
development was continued at Alterra,
Wageningen University and Research Center, The Netherlands.
From
September 2002, development is being continued at the Energy research
Centre of the Netherlands, (ECN).
The following people have contributed significanty to the
development and testing of ORCHESTRA:
Willem van Riemsdijk, Wendy
van Beinum, David Kinniburgh, David Lumsdon, Jeanine Geelhoed, Jeroen
Filius, Vincent Meeussen, Ed Paterson, Nelleke Domburg, Joris
Dijkstra, Li Ping Weng, Thomas Schroeder, Jos Vink.
Download the Orchestra program.(runnable .jar file, ca. 350 kb). Note: on some systems it is necessary to right click this link and use "save as" option.
Download
the Orchestra program + thermodynamic databases + example files in a self contained zipped folder.(ca. 400 kb).
To get started: unzip the file, go to one of the example project folders, and click on the runorchestra.bat file.
ORCHESTRA: An Object-Oriented Framework for Implementing Chemical Equilibrium Models
Johannes C. L. Meeussen, (2003) Environmental Science & Technology 37 (6) 1175-1182.
Publications in which ORCHESTRA is used (here)