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A PLIC volume tracking method for the simulation of two‐fluid flows
Author(s) -
Garrioch S. H.,
Baliga B. R.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in fluids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.938
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1097-0363
pISSN - 0271-2091
DOI - 10.1002/fld.1217
Subject(s) - volume of fluid method , mechanics , laminar flow , curvature , parallelogram , advection , newtonian fluid , compressibility , classical mechanics , flow (mathematics) , physics , mathematics , geometry , thermodynamics , hinge
Numerical methodologies for computer simulations of two‐fluid flows are presented. These methodologies fall into the category of volume tracking methods with piecewise‐linear interface calculation (PLIC). The scope of this work is limited to laminar flows of immiscible, non‐reacting, incompressible Newtonian fluids, without phase change, in planar two‐dimensional geometries. The following novel or enhanced procedures are proposed: a parallelogram scheme for multidimensional advection of the volume‐fraction field; a circle‐fit technique for the orientation of the interface segments and the calculation of curvature; a novel contact angle treatment; and a staggered formulation for volumetric body forces that can accurately balance pressure forces in the vicinity of the interface. In addition, surface‐tension‐derived and hydrostatic‐derived pressure adjustments are introduced as a means of accurately calculating pressure forces in cells that contain the interface, so as to minimize the non‐physical flows that afflict many available volume tracking methods. The proposed method is validated using four test problems that involve simulations of pure advection, a static drop, an oscillating bubble, and a static meniscus. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.