Lattice Boltzmann simulation of polymer melt flow with a low Reynolds number

Abstract

The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) has been used in various fluid flow analyses as an alternative to the traditional method of computational fluid dynamics. In the study reported here, the LBM was used to simulate a simple Hele–Shaw melt flow of polymers considering their actual physical properties, whereas the Carreau fluid model was used to evaluate the polymer melt viscosity. Since the Reynolds number of a polymer melt flow is typically quite low due to its high viscosity, which in turn lowers its convergence rate in the LBM, introducing a new density offset method improved that rate. In this paper, cases of simulations with pressure or velocity inlet boundary conditions are discussed in which the density offset method is applied.