Numerical modeling of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability by using potential equation

Abstract

This paper presents a potential flow numerical solution for the Kelvin–Helmholtz Instability (KHI) problem of an incompressible two-phase immiscible fluid in a stratified shear flow. As a problem: the two-fluid model becomes illposed when the slip velocity exceeds a critical value, and computations can be quite unstable before the flow reaches the ill-posed condition. In this work, computational stability of various convection schemes together with the potential equation method for the time derivatives in conjunction with the two-fluid model is analyzed. The normal stress balance (with the normal viscous stress) at the interface for the two-fluid model is carefully implemented to minimize its effect on numerical stability. Von Neumann stability analysis shows that: stability condition for two-fluid with equal kinematic viscosity ratio and inviscid flow, supply numerical stability. Excellent agreement has obtained according to analytical result that existing of imaginary part in solution which specialized this method. The numerical algorithm presented in this work can easily handle two-phase fluid flow with various density and viscosity ratios in rectangular channel. Simulation of this model has implemented by writing a code in FORTRAN programming.