Lattice Boltzmann Equation Models Research Articles

Well-balanced kinetic schemes for two-phase flows

At equilibrium state of a two-phase fluid system, the chemical potential is constant and the velocity vanishes. However, such equilibrium state usually cannot be captured by numerical methods due to discretization errors. Consequently, inconsistent thermodynamic interfacial properties due to non-constant chemical potential, and spurious velocities due to discrete force imbalance, are frequently encountered in numerical simulations. Therefore, numerical schemes with well-balanced properties, which can capture the equilibrium state at discrete level, are preferred for simulating two-phase flows. In this paper, we report the progress of developing well-balanced mesoscopic numerical methods based on kinetic theory, focusing on the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) method and the discrete unified gas-kinetic scheme (DUGKS). First, the discrete balance property of a free-energy LBE for single-component two-phase flows is analyzed to identify the structure of force imbalance. Then, a well-balanced LBE (WB-LBE) model which has the same algorithm structure as the standard one is reviewed. The WB-LBE is theoretically shown to be able to achieve the discrete equilibrium state, and the well-balance properties are confirmed numerically. Some extensions to other two-phase LBE models are discussed with enhanced numerical stability. The well-balanced DUGKS, which can use non-uniform meshes and exhibits better numerical stability for large density ratio systems is also reported.

Improved well-balanced free-energy lattice Boltzmann model for two-phase flow with high Reynolds number and large viscosity ratio

Spurious velocities and inaccurate density properties arising from the imbalance of discretized forces at discrete level are frequently observed in numerical simulation of multiphase flows based on lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) models. In this paper, an improved well-balanced free-energy LBE model is proposed for two phase flows with high Reynolds numbers and large viscosity differences based on the well-balanced LBE [Guo et al., Phys. Fluids 33, 031709 (2021)]. To this end, a free parameter associated with the shear rate is introduced into the equilibrium distribution function. This results in a fluid viscosity that is dependent not only on the relaxation time but also on the introduced parameter. The relaxation time can be chosen to improve the numerical stability and accuracy, while the viscosity is mainly determined by the new parameter. To test the capability of the present model in capturing discrete equilibrium states, both one-dimensional flat interface and two-dimensional stationary droplet are simulated. Numerical results show that the present model is capable of eliminating spurious velocities and maintaining a constant chemical potential when the system reaches an equilibrium state. To further validate the performance of the present LBE for dynamic problems, both binary droplet collision and single bubble rising are performed, which demonstrates that the present model has the capability to deal with two phase flows with high Reynolds number and large viscosity ratio.

The lattice Boltzmann method for nearly incompressible flows

This review summarizes the rigorous mathematical theory behind the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE). Relevant properties of the Boltzmann equation and a derivation of the LBE from the Boltzmann equation are presented. A summary of some important LBE models is provided. Focus is given to results from the numerical analysis of the LBE as a solver for the nearly incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with appropriate boundary conditions. A number of numerical results are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the lattice Boltzmann method.

A discrete unified gas-kinetic scheme for immiscible two-phase flows

In this work, a discrete unified gas-kinetic scheme (DUGKS) is proposed for two-phase flows. In the framework of DUGKS, two kinetic equations are used to solve the quasi-incompressible phase-field governing equations (Yang and Guo, 2016), one of the kinetic models is developed for the Chan-Hilliard (CH) equation and the other is for the Navier-Stokes equations. The DUGKS can correctly recover the quasi-incompressible phase-field governing equations through the Chapman-Enskog analysis. Unlike previous phase-field-based lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) models, the Courant-Friedricks-Lewy (CFL) condition in DUGKS is adjustable which can increase numerical stability. Furthermore, with the finite-volume formulation the model can be easily implemented on non-uniform meshes which can improve numerical precision. The proposed model is validated by simulating several benchmark problems, including a stationary drop, the layered Poiseuille flow, a rising bubble in the liquid and the Rayleigh-Taylor instability and some comparisons with the quasi-incompressible LBE model are presented. Numerical results show that the present model is capable of dealing with a wider range of viscosity and density ratios than the quasi-incompressible LBE model. In particular, the numerical accuracy can be improved by using non-uniform meshes. Overall, the present model is a promising tool for numerical simulation of two-phase flows.

Lattice Boltzmann method for binary fluids based on mass-conserving quasi-incompressible phase-field theory.

In this paper, a lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) model is proposed for binary fluids based on a quasi-incompressible phase-field model [J. Shen et al., Commun. Comput. Phys. 13, 1045 (2013)10.4208/cicp.300711.160212a]. Compared with the other incompressible LBE models based on the incompressible phase-field theory, the quasi-incompressible model conserves mass locally. A series of numerical simulations are performed to validate the proposed model, and comparisons with an incompressible LBE model [H. Liang et al., Phys. Rev. E 89, 053320 (2014)PLEEE81539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.89.053320] are also carried out. It is shown that the proposed model can track the interface accurately. As the stationary droplet and rising bubble problems, the quasi-incompressible LBE gives nearly the same predictions as the incompressible model, but the compressible effect in the present model plays a significant role in the phase separation problem. Therefore, in general cases the present mass-conserving model should be adopted.

An Orthorhombic Lattice Boltzmann Model for Pore-Scale Simulation of Fluid Flow in Porous Media

One application of the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) models is in combination with tomography to simulate pore-scale flow and transport processes in porous media. Most LBE models in the literature are based on cubic lattice, and if the voxels in a tomography image are not cubic or cannot be divided into cubes due to computational limitations, these models will lose most of their advantages. How to deal with such images is, hence, an interest in use of the LBE model to simulate pore-scale processes. In this paper, we present an orthorhombic LBE model based on the single-relaxation time approach with the relaxation parameter varying with lattice directions. The equilibrium distribution functions in the standard LBE model were modified to correct the anisotropy induced by the non-cubic lattice, and the calculations of the fluid density and momentum were also redefined in order to maintain the conservation of mass and momentum during the collision. We tested the model against analytical solution for fluid flow in a tube, and against the standard cubic-based LBE model for fluid flow in a duct with an island inside. The model was then applied to simulate fluid flow in a 3D image in attempts to analyse the errors if the voxels in the image are not cubic but are assumed to be cubic.

Simulation of saltation motion using LBE based methods

The numerical model of the motion of the circular particle close to the bed in an open channel with a rugged bed based on the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is presented. The LBM is used as a DNS approach in which hydrodynamic forces are expressed as sum of contributions from fluid elements interacting with the moving particle. The corresponding numerical simulation for the saltation motion which represents a dominant mode of the bed load transport is developed. Flow is driven by the logarithmic velocity profile at the inlet of a two dimensional channel with a bed formed by semi-circles of variable radii in a bed of particles. Translational and rotational movements of the particle are induced by gravitational force on one hand, and by hydrodynamic forces on the other hand. The LBE (lattice Boltzmann equation) based simulation provides the opportunity to study the behavior of saltation motion in the moderate and high Reynolds number regimes. Most of the input parameters, including boundary conditions or flow conditions, are adjustable within a range of values. Stability issues of the simulation are considered and a resolution using a combination of different LBE models and the extension of computational resources is proposed. Finally, an enhancement of the simulation for more complex processes is suggested.

Two relaxation time lattice Boltzmann model for rarefied gas flows

In this paper, the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) with two relaxation times (TRT) is implemented in order to study gaseous flow through a long micro/nano-channel. A new relation is introduced for the reflection factor in the bounce-back/specular reflection (BSR) boundary condition based on the analytical solution of the Navier–Stokes equations. The focus of the present study is on comparing TRT with the other LBE models called multiple relaxation times (MRT) and single relaxation time (SRT) in simulation of rarefied gas flows. After a stability analysis for the TRT and SRT models, the numerical results are presented and validated by the analytical solution of the Navier–Stokes equations with slip boundary condition, direct simulation of Monte Carlo (DSMC) and information preservation (IP) method. The effect of various gases on flow behavior is also investigated by using the variable hard sphere (VHS) model through the symmetrical relaxation time.

Evaluation of Three Lattice Boltzmann Models for Particulate Flows

AbstractA comparative study is conducted to evaluate three types of lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) models for fluid flows with finite-sized particles, including the lattice Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (BGK) model, the model proposed by Ladd [Ladd AJC, J. Fluid Mech., 271, 285-310 (1994); Ladd AJC, J. Fluid Mech., 271, 311-339 (1994)], and the multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) model. The sedimentation of a circular particle in a two-dimensional infinite channel under gravity is used as the first test problem. The numerical results of the three LBE schemes are compared with the theoretical results and existing data. It is found that all of the three LBE schemes yield reasonable results in general, although the BGK scheme and Ladd’s scheme give some deviations in some cases. Our results also show that the MRT scheme can achieve a better numerical stability than the other two schemes. Regarding the computational efficiency, it is found that the BGK scheme is the most superior one, while the other two schemes are nearly identical. We also observe that the MRT scheme can unequivocally reduce the viscosity dependence of the wall correction factor in the simulations, which reveals the superior robustness of the MRT scheme. The superiority of the MRT scheme over the other two schemes is also confirmed by the simulation of the sedimentation of an elliptical particle.

Effects of force discretization on mass conservation in lattice Boltzmann equation for two-phase flows

Discretization of interaction force is an important issue in the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) method for two-phase systems. A variety of discretization schemes for the interaction force have been developed from different viewpoints. Although these schemes are totally identical mathematically, they may have quite different behaviors in actual applications. In this paper we investigate the mass conservation properties of four discretization forcing schemes that have been adopted in a variety of two-phase LBE models. It is found that LBE with the mixed scheme does not conserve the total mass, and the violation is related to grid resolution, fluid velocity, and density variation.

The Application of the Lattice Boltzmann Method for Permeability Prediction of Porous Media: Investigating the Effects of Viscosity and Grid Resolution

The lattice Boltzmann method is a relatively new simulation technique of computational fluid dynamic class. Its several advantages such as dealing with complex boundary and incorporating of microscopic interaction make it an alternative and promising numerical scheme for simulating fluid flow in porous media. Three lattice Boltzmann equation models are introduced and used for calculating permeability of a 2D porous media. Analytical solutions of Poiseuille flow between infinite parallel plates is used for validating lattice Boltzmann equation models. In the numerical simulations the effects of grid resolution and viscosity on the predicted permeability are checked.

Force imbalance in lattice Boltzmann equation for two-phase flows

The capability of modeling and simulating complex interfacial dynamics of multiphase flows has been recognized as one of the main advantages of the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE). A basic feature of two-phase LBE models, i.e., the force balance condition at the discrete lattice level of LBE, is investigated in this work. An explicit force-balance formulation is derived for a flat interface by analyzing the two-dimensional nine-velocity (D2Q9) two-phase LBE model without invoking the Chapman-Enskog expansion. The result suggests that generally the balance between the interaction force and the pressure does not hold exactly on the discrete lattice due to numerical errors. It is also shown that such force imbalance can lead to some artificial velocities in the vicinity of phase interface.

Lattice Boltzmann method for Lennard-Jones fluids based on the gradient theory of interfaces

In the present study we propose a lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) model derived from density gradient expansions of the discrete BBGKY evolution equations. The model is based on the mechanical approach of the gradient theory of interfaces. The basic input is the radial distribution function, which is related exclusively to the molecular interaction potential, rather than semiempirical equations of state used in previous LBE models. This function can be provided from independent molecular simulations or from approximate theories. Evidently the accuracy of the interaction potential, and thus the radial distribution function, reflects on the accuracy of the thermodynamic properties and consistency of the derived LBE model. We have applied the proposed model to obtain equilibrium bulk and interfacial properties of a Lennard-Jones fluid at different temperatures, T, close to critical, T(c). The results demonstrate that the LBE model is in excellent agreement with gradient theory as well as with independent literature results based on different molecular simulation approaches. Hence the proposed LBE model can recover accurately bulk and interfacial thermodynamics for a Lennard Jones fluid at T/T(c)>0.9.

Kinetic theory based lattice Boltzmann equation with viscous dissipation and pressure work for axisymmetric thermal flows

A lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) for axisymmetric thermal flows is proposed. The model is derived from the kinetic theory which exhibits several features that distinguish it from other previous LBE models. First, the present thermal LBE model is derived from the continuous Boltzmann equation, which has a solid foundation and clear physical significance; Second, the model can recover the energy equation with the viscous dissipation term and work of pressure which are usually ignored by traditional methods and the existing thermal LBE models; Finally, unlike the existing thermal LBE models, no velocity and temperature gradients appear in the force terms which are easy to realize in the present model. The model is validated by thermal flow in a pipe, thermal buoyancy-driven flow, and swirling flow in vertical cylinder by rotating the top and bottom walls. It is found that the numerical results agreed excellently with analytical solution or other numerical results.

Criterion of numerical instability of liquid state in LBE simulations

The numerical stability of the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) method in simulations of a fluid described by an equation of state with possible vapor–liquid phase transitions is considered. The Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy number defined by the advection term in the Boltzmann equation is exactly equal to unity in classical LBE models. However, this condition does not ensure the numerical stability of LBE simulations with the equation of state. In our numerical LBE simulations, we find out that instability arises initially in the liquid phase, even if the vapor phase and, consequently, the vapor–liquid interface are absent. We demonstrate both in numerical tests and theoretically that the numerical stability of LBE simulations requires the criterion c ̃ ≤ c ̃ cr to be fulfilled for the liquid phase, where c ̃ = c s Δ t / h is the hydrodynamic Courant number. The hydrodynamic Courant number is proportional to the speed of sound c s , obtained from an equation of state of a fluid. This criterion is very similar to the well-known criteria of numerical stability of explicit finite difference schemes for a compressible fluid. The critical value of the Courant number c ̃ cr depends neither on the temperature T , nor on the fluid velocity, nor on the form of the equation of state. This critical value is equal to c ̃ cr = 1.1547 for the kinetic temperature of LBE pseudo-particles θ ̃ = 1 / 3 .

Theory of the lattice Boltzmann equation: Lattice Boltzmann model for axisymmetric flows

A lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) for axisymmetric flows is proposed. The model has some distinct features that distinguish it from existing axisymmetric LBE models. First, it is derived from the Boltzmann equation so that it has a solid physics base and is easy for generalization; second, the model can describe the axial, radial, and azimuthal velocity components in the same fashion; and third, the source terms of the model contain no velocity gradients and are much simpler than other LBE models. Numerical tests, including steady and unsteady internal and external flows, demonstrate that the proposed LBE can serve as a viable and efficient method for low speed axisymmetric flows.

Multiple-relaxation-time model for the correct thermohydrodynamic equations

A coupling lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) model with multiple relaxation times is proposed for thermal flows with viscous heat dissipation and compression work. In this model the fixed Prandtl number and the viscous dissipation problems in the energy equation, which exist in most of the LBE models, are successfully overcome. The model is validated by simulating the two-dimensional Couette flow, thermal Poiseuille flow, and the natural convection flow in a square cavity. It is found that the numerical results agree well with the analytical solutions and/or other numerical results.

A lattice Boltzmann front-tracking method for interface dynamics with surface tension in two dimensions

We propose to combine the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) and the front-tracking (FT) method to simulate interfacial dynamics with surface tension in two dimensions (2D). In the proposed LBE-FT method, the flow is modeled by the LBE on a fixed Cartesian mesh, whereas interfaces are explicitly tracked by a set of markers that are advected by the flow. The interface curvature is computed from adjacent markers and is then used to determine surface tension according to Laplace’s law. The local capillary forces evaluated at the markers are distributed to nearby Eulerian grid points according to a “smearing” function to approximate the Dirac delta function due to Peskin. To validate the proposed LBE-FT method, we simulate (1) a circular bubble in a flow either quiescent or moving with a constant velocity and (2) the decaying capillary waves at the interface of two fluids of equal viscosities and densities. For the circular bubble, the spurious current measured in the LBE-FT is weaker than that observed in the standard volume of fluid method and some existing LBE models. For the capillary waves, the numerical results of the period T (or frequency ω), the attenuation rate γ, the surface tension σ and the root-mean-square error of the wave amplitude agree well with the normal-mode and Prosperetti’s solutions. The proposed LBE-FT method is shown to have a second-order rate of convergence. We also show that the LBE-FT method is superior to the existing lattice BGK diffusive interface method in terms of accuracy of interface representation, numerical stability and computational efficiency.

Physical symmetry, spatial accuracy, and relaxation time of the lattice Boltzmann equation for microgas flows

In this paper, we study systematically the physical symmetry, spatial accuracy, and relaxation time of the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) for microgas flows in both the slip and transition regimes. We show that the physical symmetry and the spatial accuracy of the existing LBE models are inadequate for simulating microgas flows in the transition regime. Our analysis further indicates that for a microgas flow, the channel wall confinement exerts a nonlinear effect on the relaxation time, which should be considered in the LBE for modeling microgas flows.

An evaluation of lattice Boltzmann schemes for porous medium flow simulation

We quantitatively evaluate the capability and accuracy of the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) for modeling flow through porous media. In particular, we conduct a comparative study of the LBE models with the multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) and the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook (BGK) single-relaxation-time (SRT) collision operators. We also investigate several fluid–solid boundary conditions including: (1) the standard bounce-back (SBB) scheme, (2) the linearly interpolated bounce-back (LIBB) scheme, (3) the quadratically interpolated bounce-back (QIBB) scheme, and (4) the multi-reflection (MR) scheme. Three-dimensional flow through two porous media—a body-centered cubic (BCC) array of spheres and a random-sized sphere-pack—are examined in this study. For flow past a BCC array of spheres, we validate the linear LBE model by comparing its results with the nonlinear LBE model. We investigate systematically the viscosity-dependence of the computed permeability, the discretization error, and effects due to the choice of relaxation parameters with the MRT and BGK schemes. Our results show unequivocally that the MRT–LBE model is superior to the BGK–LBE model, and interpolation significantly improves the accuracy of the fluid–solid boundary conditions.