Lattice Boltzmann simulations of two-phase flow with high density ratio in axially symmetric geometry

Abstract

In this paper, a two-phase lattice Boltzmann (LB) model, developed for simulating fluid flows on a Cartesian grid at high liquid-to-gas density ratios, is adapted to an axisymmetric coordinate system. This is achieved by incorporating additional source terms in the planar evolution equations for the density and pressure distribution functions such that the axisymmetric mass and momentum conservation equations are recovered in the macroscopic limit. Appropriate numerical treatment of the terms is performed to obtain stable computations at high density ratio for this axisymmetric model. The particle collision is modeled by employing multiple relaxation times to attain stability at low viscosity. The model is evaluated by verifying the Laplace-Young relation for a liquid drop, comparing computed frequency of oscillations of an initially ellipsoidal drop with analytical values and comparing the behavior of a spherical drop impinging on a wet wall with prior results. The time evolution of the radial distance of the tip of the corona, formed when the drop impinges, agrees well with prior data.