Towards Data-Driven Model Reduction of the Navier-Stokes Equations Using the Loewner Framework

The Loewner framework is extended to compute reduced order models (ROMs) for systems governed by the incompressible Navier-Stokes (NS) equations. For quadratic ordinary differential equations (ODEs) it constructs a ROM directly from measurements of transfer function components derived from an expansion of the system’s input-to-output map. Given measurements, no explicit access to the system is required to construct the ROM. To extend the Loewner framework, the NS equations are transformed into ODEs by projecting onto the subspace defined by the incompressibility condition. This projection is used theoretically, but avoided computationally. This paper presents the overall approach. Currently, transfer function measurements are obtained via computational simulations; obtaining them from experiments is an open issue. Numerical results show the potential of the Loewner framework, but also reveal possible lack of stability of the ROM. A possible approach, which currently requires access to the NS system, to deal with these instabilities is outlined.