A momentum exchange-based immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method for simulating incompressible viscous flows

A momentum exchange-based immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method is presented in this Letter for simulating incompressible viscous flows. This method combines the good features of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and the immersed boundary method (IBM) by using two unrelated computational meshes, an Eulerian mesh for the flow domain and a Lagrangian mesh for the solid boundaries in the flow. In this method, the non-slip boundary condition is enforced by introducing a forcing term into the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE). Unlike the conventional IBM using the penalty method with a user-defined parameter or the direct forcing scheme based on the Navier–Stokes (NS) equations, the forcing term is simply calculated by the momentum exchange of the boundary particle density distribution functions, which are interpolated by the Lagrangian polynomials from the underlying Eulerian mesh. Numerical examples show that the present method can provide very accurate numerical results.     

Development of Lattice Boltzmann Flux Solver for Simulation of Incompressible Flows

A lattice Boltzmann flux solver (LBFS) is presented in this work for simulation of incompressible viscous and inviscid flows. The new solver is based on Chapman-Enskog expansion analysis, which is the bridge to link Navier-Stokes (N-S) equations and lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE). The macroscopic differential equations are discretized by the finite volume method, where the flux at the cell interface is evaluated by local reconstruction of lattice Boltzmann solution from macroscopic flow variables at cell centers. The new solver removes the drawbacks of conventional lattice Boltzmann method such as limitation to uniform mesh, tie-up of mesh spacing and time interval, limitation to viscous flows. LBFS is validated by its application to simulate the viscous decaying vortex flow, the driven cavity flow, the viscous flow past a circular cylinder, and the inviscid flow past a circular cylinder. The obtained numerical results compare very well with available data in the literature, which show that LBFS has the second order of accuracy in space, and can be well applied to viscous and inviscid flow problems with non-uniform mesh and curved boundary.     

A New Differential Lattice Boltzmann Equation and Its Application to Simulate Incompressible Flows on Non-Uniform Grids

A new differential lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) is presented in this work, which is derived from the standard LBE by using Taylor series expansion only in spatial direction with truncation to the second-order derivatives. The obtained differential equation is not a wave-like equation. When a uniform grid is used, the new differential LBE can be exactly reduced to the standard LBE. The new differential LBE can be applied to solve irregular problems with the help of coordinate transformation. The present scheme inherits the merits of the standard LBE. The 2-D driven cavity flow is chosen as a test case to validate the present method. Favorable results are obtained and indicate that the present scheme has good prospects in practical applications.     

Chapman–Enskog analysis for finite-volume formulation of lattice Boltzmann equation

The classical Chapman–Enskog expansion is performed for the recently proposed finite-volume formulation of lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) method [D.V. Patil, K.N. Lakshmisha, Finite volume TVD formulation of lattice Boltzmann simulation on unstructured mesh, J. Comput. Phys. 228 (2009) 5262–5279]. First, a modified partial differential equation is derived from a numerical approximation of the discrete Boltzmann equation. Then, the multi-scale, small parameter expansion is followed to recover the continuity and the Navier–Stokes (NS) equations with additional error terms. The expression for apparent value of the kinematic viscosity is derived for finite-volume formulation under certain assumptions. The attenuation of a shear wave, Taylor–Green vortex flow and driven channel flow are studied to analyze the apparent viscosity relation.     

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.     

Rectangular Lattice Boltzmann Equation for Gaseous Microscale Flow

The lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) is considered as a promising approach for simulating flows of liquid and gas. Most of LBE studies have been devoted to regular square LBE and few works have focused on the rectangular LBE in the simulation of gaseous microscale flows. In fact, the rectangular LBE, as an alternative and efficient method, has some advantages over the square LBE in simulating flows with certain computational domains of large aspect ratio (e.g., long micro channels). Therefore, in this paper we expand the application scopes of the rectangular LBE to gaseous microscale flow. The kinetic boundary conditions for the rectangular LBE with a multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) collision operator, i.e., the combined bounce-back/specular-reflection (CBBSR) boundary condition and the discrete Maxwell's diffuse-reflection (DMDR) boundary condition, are studied in detail. We observe some discrete effects in both the CBBSR and DMDR boundary conditions for the rectangular LBE and present a reasonable approach to overcome these discrete effects in the two boundary conditions. It is found that the DMDR boundary condition for the square MRT-LBE can not realize the real fully diffusive boundary condition, while the DMDR boundary condition for the rectangular MRT-LBE with the grid aspect ratio a≠1 can do it well. Some numerical tests are implemented to validate the presented theoretical analysis. In addition, the computational efficiency and relative difference between the rectangular LBE and the square LBE are analyzed in detail. The rectangular LBE is found to be an efficient method for simulating the gaseous microscale flows in domains with large aspect ratios.     

Lattice Boltzmann simulations of 2D laminar flows past two tandem cylinders

We apply the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) with multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) collision model to simulate laminar flows in two-dimensions (2D). In order to simulate flows in an unbounded domain with the LBE method, we need to address two issues: stretched non-uniform mesh and inflow and outflow boundary conditions. We use the interpolated grid stretching method to address the need of non-uniform mesh. We demonstrate that various inflow and outflow boundary conditions can be easily and consistently realized with the MRT-LBE. The MRT-LBE with non-uniform stretched grids is first validated with a number of test cases: the Poiseuille flow, the flow past a cylinder asymmetrically placed in a channel, and the flow past a cylinder in an unbounded domain. We use the LBE method to simulate the flow past two tandem cylinders in an unbounded domain with Re = 100. Our results agree well with existing ones. Through this work we demonstrate the effectiveness of the MRT-LBE method with grid stretching.     

A improved incompressible lattice Boltzmann model for time-independent flows

It is well known that the lattice Boltzmann equation method (LBE) can model the incompressible Navier-Stokes (NS) equations in the limit where density goes to a constant. In a LBE simulation, however, the density cannot be constant because pressure is equal to density times the square of sound speed, hence a compressibility error seems inevitable for the LBE to model incompressible flows. This work uses a modified equilibrium distribution and a modified velocity to construct an LBE which models time-independent (steady) incompressible flows with significantly reduced compressibility error. Computational results in 2D cavity flow and in a 2D flow with an exact solution are reported.     

A lattice Boltzmann method for immiscible multiphase flow simulations using the level set method

We consider the lattice Boltzmann method for immiscible multiphase flow simulations. Classical lattice Boltzmann methods for this problem, e.g. the colour gradient method or the free energy approach, can only be applied when density and viscosity ratios are small. Moreover, they use additional fields defined on the whole domain to describe the different phases and model phase separation by special interactions at each node. In contrast, our approach simulates the flow using a single field and separates the fluid phases by a free moving interface. The scheme is based on the lattice Boltzmann method and uses the level set method to compute the evolution of the interface. To couple the fluid phases, we develop new boundary conditions which realise the macroscopic jump conditions at the interface and incorporate surface tension in the lattice Boltzmann framework. Various simulations are presented to validate the numerical scheme, e.g. two-phase channel flows, the Young–Laplace law for a bubble and viscous fingering in a Hele-Shaw cell. The results show that the method is feasible over a wide range of density and viscosity differences.     

An improved immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method for simulating three-dimensional incompressible flows

The recently proposed boundary condition-enforced immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method (IB-LBM) [14] is improved in this work to simulate three-dimensional incompressible viscous flows. In the conventional IB-LBM, the restoring force is pre-calculated, and the non-slip boundary condition is not enforced as compared to body-fitted solvers. As a result, there is a flow penetration to the solid boundary. This drawback was removed by the new version of IB-LBM [14], in which the restoring force is considered as unknown and is determined in such a way that the non-slip boundary condition is enforced. Since Eulerian points are also defined inside the solid boundary, the computational domain is usually regular and the Cartesian mesh is used. On the other hand, to well capture the boundary layer and in the meantime, to save the computational effort, we often use non-uniform mesh in IB-LBM applications. In our previous two-dimensional simulations [14], the Taylor series expansion and least squares-based lattice Boltzmann method (TLLBM) was used on the non-uniform Cartesian mesh to get the flow field. The final expression of TLLBM is an algebraic formulation with some weighting coefficients. These coefficients could be computed in advance and stored for the following computations. However, this way may become impractical for 3D cases as the memory requirement often exceeds the machine capacity. The other way is to calculate the coefficients at every time step. As a result, extra time is consumed significantly. To overcome this drawback, in this study, we propose a more efficient approach to solve lattice Boltzmann equation on the non-uniform Cartesian mesh. As compared to TLLBM, the proposed approach needs much less computational time and virtual storage. Its good accuracy and efficiency are well demonstrated by its application to simulate the 3D lid-driven cubic cavity flow. To valid the combination of proposed approach with the new version of IBM [14] for 3D flows with curved boundaries, the flows over a sphere and torus are simulated. The obtained numerical results compare very well with available data in the literature.     

纳米流体多相流动的多尺度模拟方法

针对纳米流体多相流动的微观特征,提出一种基于格子Boltzmann的多尺度耦合方法,在速度和悬浮纳米粒子分布变化比较剧烈的区域采用细网格多相模型,在其它区域视纳米流体为均匀混合的单相流体,使用粗网格单相模型.为保证不同尺度区域之间的物理信息(参数)的准确传递,运用质量和动量守恒原理,建立跨区域的边界耦合模型.几个算例表明,该方法既可以反映纳米流体流动的微观特征,又能提高计算效率,与单纯使用多相模型相比,节省大量时间.     

Investigation of Stability and Hydrodynamics of Different Lattice Boltzmann Models

Stability and hydrodynamic behaviors of different lattice Boltzmann models including the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE), the differential lattice Boltzmann equation (DLBE), the interpolation-supplemented lattice Boltzmann method (ISLBM) and the Taylor series expansion- and least square-based lattice Boltzmann method (TLLBM) are studied in detail. Our work is based on the von Neumann linearized stability analysis under a uniform flow condition. The local stability and hydrodynamic (dissipation) behaviors are studied by solving the evolution operator of the linearized lattice Boltzmann equations numerically. Our investigation shows that the LBE schemes with interpolations, such as DLBE, ISLBM and TLLBM, improve the numerical stability by increasing hyper-viscosities at large wave numbers (small scales). It was found that these interpolated LBE schemes with the upwind interpolations are more stable than those with central interpolations because of much larger hyper-viscosities.     

Lattice Boltzmann modeling of microchannel flow in slip flow regime

We present the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) with multiple relaxation times (MRT) to simulate pressure-driven gaseous flow in a long microchannel. We obtain analytic solutions of the MRT-LBE with various boundary conditions for the incompressible Poiseuille flow with its walls aligned with a lattice axis. The analytical solutions are used to realize the Dirichlet boundary conditions in the LBE. We use the first-order slip boundary conditions at the walls and consistent pressure boundary conditions at both ends of the long microchannel. We validate the LBE results using the compressible Navier–Stokes (NS) equations with a first-order slip velocity, the information-preservation direct simulation Monte Carlo (IP-DSMC) and DSMC methods. As expected, the LBE results agree very well with IP-DSMC and DSMC results in the slip velocity regime, but deviate significantly from IP-DSMC and DSMC results in the transition-flow regime in part due to the inadequacy of the slip velocity model, while still agreeing very well with the slip NS results. Possible extensions of the LBE for transition flows are discussed.     

Stochastic finite difference lattice Boltzmann method for steady incompressible viscous flows

With the advent of state-of-the-art computers and their rapid availability, the time is ripe for the development of efficient uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods to reduce the complexity of numerical models used to simulate complicated systems with incomplete knowledge and data. The spectral stochastic finite element method (SSFEM) which is one of the widely used UQ methods, regards uncertainty as generating a new dimension and the solution as dependent on this dimension. A convergent expansion along the new dimension is then sought in terms of the polynomial chaos system, and the coefficients in this representation are determined through a Galerkin approach. This approach provides an accurate representation even when only a small number of terms are used in the spectral expansion; consequently, saving in computational resource can be realized compared to the Monte Carlo (MC) scheme. Recent development of a finite difference lattice Boltzmann method (FDLBM) that provides a convenient algorithm for setting the boundary condition allows the flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, with and without external body forces to be simulated with ease. Also, the inherent compressibility effect in the conventional lattice Boltzmann method, which might produce significant errors in some incompressible flow simulations, is eliminated. As such, the FDLBM together with an efficient UQ method can be used to treat incompressible flows with built in uncertainty, such as blood flow in stenosed arteries. The objective of this paper is to develop a stochastic numerical solver for steady incompressible viscous flows by combining the FDLBM with a SSFEM. Validation against MC solutions of channel/Couette, driven cavity, and sudden expansion flows are carried out.     

Note on Invariance of One-Dimensional Lattice-Boltzmann Equation

Invariance of the one-dimensional lattice Boltzmann model is proposed together with its rigorous theoretical background. It is demonstrated that the symmetry inherent in Navier-Stokes equations is not really recovered in the one-dimensional lattice Boltzmann equation （LBE）, especially for shock calculation. Symmetry breaking may be the inherent cause for the non-physical oscillations in the vicinity of the shock for LBE calculation.     

Challenges in lattice Boltzmann computing

Some of the most urgent challenges facing the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) to rival state-of-the-art computer fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques are discussed. A novel LBE scheme fork- turbulence modeling is proposed.     

用格子Boltzmann模型模拟非等温流场

根据微观和宏观之间的质量、动量、能量守恒准则和在原格子Boltzmann模型基础上,建立了几个新的格子Boltzmann模型,使得在外力场中的格子Boltzmann模型得到进一步完善.通过还原宏观流体力学方程,捕捉到了浮力强迫系数与Grashof数之间的关系.所得动量方程和Navier Stokes方程相比,在黏性输运项上有明显的改进,说明黏性应力不但与流体的速度梯度和流体的压缩性有关,而且还与非定常的内能梯度和动量通量有关.该模型对非等温流场的数值结果证明了其具有很好的数值稳定性和适用性. 关键词： Boltzmann模型 平衡分布函数 流体力学方程     

气体动理学格式模拟多孔介质流动的可行性

将气体动理学格式（GKS）拓展到模拟多孔介质内的低速渗流,并检验在孔隙尺度上模拟不可压缩低速流动的可行性与有效性.结果表明：GKS具有二阶空间精度,能够较精确地计算多孔介质的渗透率;相比于单松弛格子玻尔兹曼方法,GKS能够精确实现壁面无滑移边界条件,从而正确反映渗透率与黏性无关的特性;对于Berea砂岩切片结构中的复杂流动,模拟结果与实验吻合较好,能较精确地计算渗透率.给出GKS模拟达西渗流的马赫数选取准则,为研究多孔介质流动提供新的工具.     

Advanced lattice Boltzmann scheme for high-Reynolds-number magneto-hydrodynamic flows

Is the lattice Boltzmann method suitable to investigate numerically high-Reynolds-number magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) flows? It is shown that a standard approach based on the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook (BGK) collision operator rapidly yields unstable simulations as the Reynolds number increases. In order to circumvent this limitation, it is here suggested to address the collision procedure in the space of central moments for the fluid dynamics. Therefore, an hybrid lattice Boltzmann scheme is introduced, which couples a central-moment scheme for the velocity with a BGK scheme for the space-and-time evolution of the magnetic field. This method outperforms the standard approach in terms of stability, allowing us to simulate high-Reynolds-number MHD flows with non-unitary Prandtl number while maintaining accuracy and physical consistency.     

Lattice Boltzmann method for three-dimensional moving particles in a Newtonian fluid

A lattice Boltzmann method is developed to simulate three-dimensional solid particle motions in fluids. In the present model, a uniform grid is used and the exact spatial location of the physical boundary of the suspended particles is determined using an interpolation scheme. The numerical accuracy and efficiency of the proposed lattice Boltzmann method is demonstrated by simulating the sedimentation of a single sphere in a square cylinder. Highly accurate simulation results can be achieved with few meshes, compared with the previous lattice Boltzmann methods. The present method is expected to find applications on the flow systems with moving boundaries, such as the blood flow in distensible vessels, the particle－flow interaction and the solidification of alloys.