ORCHESTRA (Objects Representing CHEmicalSpeciation and TRAnsport models) is a computerframework for composing (geo)chemical speciation and mass transportmodels.
ORCHESTRA consists of two parts:
A generic calculation kernel (in the form of a Java executable ).
A text file with basic model object definitions (Object database).
The object database contains the definitions of chemical modelelements, such as "components", "species","minerals", "surfaces", "sites" etc.which make it possible to use ORCHESTRA in a similar way to wellknown chemical speciation models, such as PHREEQC, MINTEQ,GWB or ECOSAT.
Just as with these models ORCHESTRA allows to specify the exact chemical system in input files.
ALL model equations are given as input in text format at run time, so NO model equation hidden in source code.
The structure of these model definitions is Object Oriented.
Users can construct new models by defining new 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 (350 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 userinterface) can be found (here).
An old example in an earlier ORCHESTRA version that onlyrequires 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 MacaulayInstitute in Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
During 2001-2002 development was continued at Alterra,Wageningen University and Research Center, The Netherlands. From2002-20100 at the Energy research Centre of theNetherlands, (ECN).
FromSeptember 2010, development is being continued at the NuclearResearch and Consultancy Group, (NRG).
The following people have contributed significanty to thedevelopment and testing of ORCHESTRA:
Willem van Riemsdijk, Wendyvan Beinum, David Kinniburgh, David Lumsdon, Jeanine Geelhoed, JeroenFilius, Vincent Meeussen, Ed Paterson, Nelleke Domburg, JorisDijkstra, Li Ping Weng, Thomas Schroder, 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, version 2011).
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 ChemicalEquilibrium Models
Johannes C. L. Meeussen, (2003) Environmental Science &Technology 37 (6) 1175-1182.
Publications in which ORCHESTRA is used (here)