A hybrid lattice Boltzmann/immersed boundary method/finite-difference model for thermal fluid-solid interactions

Abstract

Particulate flows are frequently observed in both industrial and natural environments, and their simulation becomes particularly challenging when heat transfer is involved. This study introduces a hybrid numerical approach, combining the lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM), Immersed Boundary Method (IBM), and Finite Difference (FD) energy solver to alleviate the limitations observed in double distributed lattice Boltzmann methods and classical Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The model incorporates an enhanced Hermite polynomial-based central moments collision operator. This enhancement boosts stability and overcomes the Galilean-invariant issues observed in classical LBM. For heat transfer, a Finite-Difference technique is employed for resolving the energy equation, discretizing the advection term through a Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (WENO) approach. The Boussinesq approximation handles buoyancy forces, while the direct-forcing IBM manages fluid-particle interaction. Validation across various test cases confirms the model's accuracy, showcasing its ability to account for variations in thermal properties like specific heat capacity Cp over a wide range. The model is further utilized to investigate a reactor containing 300 catalyst particles. In summary, this hybrid methodology is found to be a promising tool for comprehensively studying and designing particle-laden systems with thermal effects.