Simulation of binary droplet collisions with the entropic lattice Boltzmann method

Abstract

The recently introduced entropic lattice Boltzmann method (ELBM) for multiphase flows is extended here to simulation of droplet collisions. Thermodynamically consistent, non-linearly stable ELBM together with a novel polynomial equation of state is proposed for simulation large Weber and Reynolds number collisions of two droplets. Extensive numerical investigations show that ELBM is capable of accurately capturing the dynamics and complexity of droplet collision. Different types of the collision outcomes such as coalescence, reflexive separation, and stretching separation are identified. Partition of the parameter plane is compared to the experiments and excellent agreement is observed. Moreover, the evolution of the shape of a stable lamella film is quantitatively compared with experimental results. The end pinching and the capillary-wave instability are shown to be the main mechanisms behind formation of satellite droplets for near head-on and off-center collisions with high impact parameter, respectively. It is shown that the number of satellite drops increases with increasing Weber number, as predicted by experiments. Also, it is demonstrated that the rotational motion due to angular momentum and elongation of the merged droplet play essential roles in formation of satellite droplets in off-center collisions with an intermediate impact parameter.