Thermodynamically consistent hybrid computational models for fluid-particle interactions

Abstract

We introduce a novel computational framework designed to explore the dynamic interactions between fluid and solid particles or structures immersed in a viscous fluid medium adhering to the generalized Onsager principle. This innovative framework harnesses the power of the phase-field-embedding method, in which each solid component, whether rigid or elastic, is characterized by a volume-preserving phase field. The unified velocity within the fluid-solid ensemble governs the movement of both solid particles and the surrounding fluid, specifically for passive particles. Active particles, however, are not only influenced by this unified velocity but are also driven by their self-propelling velocities. To capture exclusive volume interactions among particles and between particles and boundaries, we employ repulsive potential forces at a coarser scale. These forces effectively model repulsion and collision effects. Rigid particles maintain structural integrity by enforcing a zero velocity gradient tensor within their spatial domains, necessitating the introduction of a constraining stress tensor. In contrast, elastic particles are governed by a quasi-linear constitutive equation describing the elastic stress within their domains, allowing for accurate modeling of their deformations. The motion of solid particles is tracked by monitoring the dynamics of their centers of mass. This approach facilitates the development of a hybrid, thermodynamically consistent hydrodynamic model applicable to both rigid and elastic particles. To numerically solve this thermodynamically consistent model for elastic particles, we present a structure-preserving numerical algorithm. Notably, in the limit of an infinite elastic modulus, this algorithm converges to the one employed for modeling rigid particles. Finally, we substantiate the effectiveness, accuracy, and stability of our proposed scheme through a series of numerical experiments. These experiments not only validate the computational framework but also showcase its capabilities, reinforcing the reliability of our approach.