The Interface Between Fresh and Salt Groundwater: A Numerical Study

Present address: Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique, 6 quai Watier 78401 Chatou, France. In this paper the two-dimensional flow of fresh and salt waterthrough a homogeneous aquifer is considered. The two fluidsare assumed to be separated by a sharp interface. They differonly in their specific weight. This difference induces a flowin the aquifer which in turn causes a motion of the interface. We present a mathematical formulation of this problem whichconsists of a Poisson equation for the stream function coupledto a time evolution equation for the moving interface. The equationfor the stream function is solved by means of a finite-elementmethod while a predictor-corrector method (the S^ßscheme) is used for the discretization of the equation for theinterface.     

Exact solutions of problems of the three-dimensional flow of ideal viscous incompressible fluids near cylindrical surfaces

Three-dimensional flows of an incompressible fluid, the parameters of which depend on two coordinates and time, are considered. The stream surfaces of such flows are cylindrical. The equations of continuity and the Navier-Stokes equations can be transformed to relations, one of which is the equation for the stream function the other is the integral of the equations relating the pressure and the stream function, and the third is a linear equation for the projection of the velocity vector onto the axis parallel to the generatrix of the cylindrical surfaces. The problems of modelling the flows are considered on the basis of the exact solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations and Euler's equations using examples. Relations for the distribution of the flow parameters in the channel created by hyperbolical cylinders are derived for the case of unsteady inviscid flow. The streamlines of these flows are situated on the side surfaces of the hyperbolical cylinders and intercept the generatrices of the cylinders at certain indirect angles. The flow around a circular cylinder and the flow of fluid inside an elliptic cylinder are considered in the case of steady inviscid flow. The streamlines on the circular cylinder are arranged transverse to the cylinder (the projection of the velocity vector onto the coordinate axis, parallel to the generatrix of the cylinder, is equal to zero). Far from the cylinder the streamlines are also situated on a cylindrical surfaces, but not transverse to the cylinder, making certain indirect angles with the generatrix. Viscous three-dimensional flows, possessing a certain symmetry, are considered. In the case of radial symmetry the streamlines are helical lines. The non-planar Couette flow between parallel moving planes is characterized by the fact that the velocity vectors, being situated in the same plane, are collinear, while the velocity vectors in parallel planes are not collinear. Relations for viscous steady three-dimensional flows, using well-known relations, obtained for the stream function of two-dimensional flows, are given.     

A lattice Boltzmann model for the eddy–stream equations in two-dimensional incompressible flows

A lattice Boltzmann model for two-dimensional incompressible flows with eddy–stream equations is proposed. By using two kinds of distribution functions and employing several higher-order moments of equilibrium distribution functions, the eddy equation and stream function equation with the second-order truncation error are obtained. In the numerical examples, we compared the numerical results of this scheme with those obtained by other classical method. The numerical results agree well with the classical ones.     

Simulation of Multiphase Flows with Strong Shocks and Density Variations

The system of extended Euler type hyperbolic equations is considered to describe a two-phase compressible flow. A numerical scheme for computing multi-component flows is then examined. The numerical approach is based on the mathematical model that considers interfaces between fluids as numerically diffused zones. The hyperbolic problem is tackled using a high resolution HLLC scheme on a fixed Eulerian mesh. The global set of conservative equations (mass, momentum and energy) for each phase is closed with a general two parameters equation of state for each constituent. The performance of various variants of a diffuse interface method is carefully verified against a comprehensive suite of numerical benchmark test cases in one and two space dimensions. The studied benchmark cases are divided into two categories: idealized tests for which exact solutions can be generated and tests for which the equivalent numerical results could be obtained using different approaches. The ability to simulate the Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities, which are generated when a shock wave impacts an interface between two different fluids, is considered as a major challenge for the present numerical techniques. The study presents the effect of density ratio of constituent fluids on the resolution of an interface and the ability to simulate Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities by various variants of diffuse interface methods. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The interface between regions where u<0 andu > 0in the porous medium equation

We consider the porous medium equation with sign changes. In particular this equation describes the mixing of fresh and salt groundwater due to mechanical dispersion. The unknown function u, which denotes the velocity of the fluids, may take positive as well as negative values. Our main result is the following : under certain monotonicity hypotheses on the initial function, there exists a time T> 0 after which the regions where u < 0 and u > 0 are separated by an interface x = ζ(t) such that ζ is continuously differentiable on [T,∞]. The method of proof is based on a priori estimates for solutions of regularized problems and for their level lines     

Existence of weak solutions for a non-classical sharp interface model for a two-phase flow of viscous,incompressible fluids

We introduce a new sharp interface model for the flow of two immiscible, viscous, incompressible fluids. In contrast to classical models for two-phase flows we prescribe an evolution law for the interfaces that takes diffusional effects into account. This leads to a coupled system of Navier–Stokes and Mullins–Sekerka type parts that coincides with the asymptotic limit of a diffuse interface model. We prove the long-time existence of weak solutions, which is an open problem for the classical two-phase model. We show that the phase interfaces have in almost all points a generalized mean curvature.     

The Steady Viscous Flow of Two Differentially Rotating Immiscible Fluids

We have computed the steady, axisymmetric viscous boundary layers on either side of an interface between two immiscible, incompressible fluids that are in rigid body rotation far from the interface. The internal rotational Froude number is assumed small so that the interface may be considered horizontal. An application of our results to the spinup from rest of two immiscible slightly viscous fluids in a vertically mounted cylinder is discussed.     

The optimal convergence rates of non-isentropic subsonic Euler flows through the infinitely long three-dimensional axisymmetric nozzles

This paper is concerned about the optimal convergence rates of non-isentropic subsonic flows at far fields in three-dimensional infinitely long axisymmetric nozzles. By using the stream function formulation for the compressible Euler equations, the subsonic Euler flows are equivalent to a quasilinear elliptic equation of the stream function. The key points to prove the convergence rates of subsonic flows at far fields are the choice of compared functions and the maximum principles.     

Phase Field Approach to Multiphase Flow Modeling

We review the phase field (otherwise called diffuse interface) model for fluid flows, where all quantities, such as density and composition, are assumed to vary continuously in space. This approach is the natural extension of van der Waals?? theory of critical phenomena both for one-component, two-phase fluids and for partially miscible liquid mixtures. The equations of motion are derived, assuming a simple expression for the pairwise interaction potential. In particular, we see that a non-equilibrium, reversible body force appears in the Navier-Stokes equation, that is proportional to the gradient of the generalized chemical potential. This, so called Korteweg, force is responsible for the convection that is observed in otherwise quiescent systems during phase change. In addition, in binary mixtures, the diffusive flux is modeled using a Cahn-Hilliard constitutive law with a composition-dependent diffusivity, showing that it reduces to Fick??s law in the dilute limit case. Finally, the results of several numerical simulations are described, modeling, in particular, a) mixing, b) spinodal decomposition, c) nucleation, d) enhanced heat transport, e) liquid-vapor phase separation.     

Unsteady draining of a fluid from a circular tank

Three-dimensional draining flow of a two-fluid system from a circular tank is considered. The two fluids are inviscid and incompressible, and are separated by a sharp interface. There is a circular hole positioned centrally in the bottom of the tank, so that the flow is axially symmetric. The mean position of the interface moves downwards as time progresses, and eventually a portion of the interface is withdrawn into the drain. For narrow drain holes of small radius, the interface above the centre of the drain is pulled down towards the hole. However, for drains of larger radius the portion of the interface above the drain edge is drawn down first, rather than the central section. Non-linear results are obtained with a novel spectral technique, and are also compared against the predictions of linearized theory. Unstable Rayleigh–Taylor type flows, in which the upper fluid is heavier than the lower one, are also discussed.     

Numerical evaluation of two recoloring operators for an immiscible two-phase flow lattice Boltzmann model

The lattice Boltzmann method is applied to the study of immiscible two-phase flows using a Rothman-Keller-type (RK) model. The focus is on the algorithm proposed by Latva-Kokko and Rothman, which has been modified and integrated into the Reis and Phillips model, which belongs to the RK family. A key element of the RK model is the recoloring step applied at the interface of two fluids, at which the fluids are separated and sent to their own region. When convection is weak, the interface in the Reis and Phillips model suffers from “lattice pinning”, which is a problem that may prevent the interface from moving. While the recoloring algorithm proposed by Latva-Kokko and Rothman diminishes this problem, it was not used in the work of Reis and Phillips. This is the framework in which the present study has been conducted. Its scope is twofold: first, to integrate and adapt the Latva-Kokko and Rothman recoloring algorithms for reducing the lattice pinning problem found in the Reis and Phillips model; and second, to conduct a set of numerical tests to show that the combination of the two algorithms leads to an improvement in the quality of the results, along with a better convergence. The context of the work is two-dimensional, with the D2Q9 lattice used as the basic computational element.     

Strong law of large numbers for the interface in ballistic deposition

We prove a hydrodynamic limit for ballistic deposition on a multidimensional integer lattice. In this growth model particles rain down at random and stick to the growing cluster at the first point of contact. The theorem is that if the initial random interface converges to a deterministic macroscopic function, then at later times the height of the scaled interface converges to the viscosity solution of a Hamilton–Jacobi equation. The proof idea is to decompose the interface into the shapes that grow from individual seeds of the initial interface. This decomposition converges to a variational formula that defines viscosity solutions of the macrosopic equation. The technical side of the proof involves subadditive methods and large deviation bounds for related first-passage percolation processes.     

Modeling of two-phase flows with surface tension by finite pointset method (FPM)

A meshfree method for two-phase immiscible incompressible flows including surface tension is presented. The continuum surface force (CSF) model is used to include the surface tension force. The incompressible Navier–Stokes equation is considered as the mathematical model. Application of implicit projection method results in linear second-order partial differential equations for velocities and pressure. These equations are then solved by the finite pointset method (FPM), which is a meshfree and Lagrangian method. The fluid is represented as finite number of particles and the immiscible fluids are distinguished by the color of each particle. The interface is tracked automatically by advecting the color functions for each particle. Two test cases, Laplace's law and the Rayleigh–Taylor instability in 2D have been presented. The results are found to be consistent with the theoretical results.     

Unsteady Couette flows in a second grade fluid with variable material properties

Fluid solid mixtures are generally considered as second grade fluids and are modeled as fluids with variable physical parameters. Thus, an analysis is performed for a second grade fluid with space dependent viscosity, elasticity and density. Two types of time-dependent flows are investigated. An eigen function expansion method is used to find the velocity distribution. The obtained solutions satisfy the boundary and initial conditions and the governing equation. Remarkably some exact analytic solutions are possible for flows involving second grade fluid with variable material properties in terms of trigonometric and Chebyshev functions.     

Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Dispersive Waves on Shear Flows

The Green–Naghdi equations describing three-dimensional water waves are considered. Assuming that transverse variations of the flow occur at a much shorter lengthscale than variations along the wave propagation direction, we derive simplified asymptotic equations from the Green–Naghdi model. For steady flows, we show that the approximate model reduces to a one-dimensional Hamiltonian system along each stream line. Exact solutions describing a wide class of free-boundary flows depending on several arbitrary functions of one argument are found. The numerical results showing different patterns of steady three-dimensional waves are presented.     

Nonlinear dynamics and stability of two streaming magnetic fluids

This paper concerns the linear and nonlinear instability of Kelvin–Helmholtz flows in magnetic fluids under external driving. The fluids are subjected to an oblique magnetic field. With the use of the method of multiple scaling, a generalized derivation of the amplitude equation is obtained in marginally unstable regions of parameter space. A Melnikov function is formulated for such an instability and it is shown that there exist transverse homoclinic orbits leading to chaos.     

Vortex generated fluid flows in multiply connected domains

A fluid flow in a multiply connected domain generated by an arbitrary number of point vortices is considered. A stream function for this flow is constructed as a limit of a certain functional sequence using the method of images. The convergence of this sequence is discussed, and the speed of convergence is determined explicitly. The presented formulas allow for an easy computation of the values of the stream function with arbitrary precision in the case of well-separated cylinders. The considered problem is important for applications such as eddy flows in oceans. Moreover, since finding the stream function of the flow is essentially identical to finding the modified Green’s function for Laplace’s equation, the presented method can be applied to a more general class of applied problems which involve solving the Dirichlet problem for Laplace’s equation.     

ALE-FEM For Two-Phase Flows With Insoluble Surfactants

We present a finite element method for the flow of two immiscible incompressible fluids in two and three dimensions. Thereby the presence of surface active agents (surfactants) on the interface is allowed, which alter the surface tension. The model consists of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations for velocity and pressure and a convection-diffusion equation on the interface for the distribution of the surfactant. A moving grid technique is applied to track the interface, on that account a Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) formulation of the Navier-Stokes equation is used. The surface tension force is incorporated directly by making use of the Laplace-Beltrami operator technique [1]. Furthermore, we use a finite element method for the convection-diffusion equation on the moving hypersurface. In order to get a high accurate method the interface, velocity, pressure, and the surfactant concentration are approximated by isoparametric finite elements. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Optimal control of time discrete two-phase flow governed by a diffuse interface model

We present results on optimal control of two-phase flows. The fluid is modeled by a thermodynamically consistent diffuse interface model and allows to treat fluids of different densities and viscosities. In earlier work we proposed an energy stable time discretization for this model that we now employ to derive existence of optimal controls for a time discrete optimal control problem. The control aim is to obtain a desired distribution of the two phases in the system. For this we investigate three control actions. We use tangential Dirichlet boundary control and distributed control. We further consider the inverse problem of finding an initial distribution such that the evolution over a given time horizon starting from this value is close to a desired distribution. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Finite-element stream function solutions of transonic rotational internal and external flows

The finite-element method is applied to the stream function formulation of transonic flows. Numerical dissipation, necessary for the calculation of mixed flows with shocks, is introduced via the artificial compressibility method. The classical problem of double-valuedness of the mass flux versus Mach number is resolved by direct integration of the vorticity equation. Solutions are obtained for isolated airfoils, the blade-to-blade cascade equation, as well as the radial equilibrium equation governing the hub-to-shroud through flow in turbomachinery.