Convection in multiphase fluid flows using lattice Boltzmann methods

We present high-resolution numerical simulations of convection in multiphase flows (boiling) using a novel algorithm based on a lattice Boltzmann method. We first study the thermodynamical and kinematic properties of the algorithm. Then, we perform a series of 3D numerical simulations changing the mean properties in the phase diagram and compare convection with and without phase coexistence at Rayleigh number Ra～10(7). We show that in the presence of nucleating bubbles non-Oberbeck-Boussinesq effects develop, the mean temperature profile becomes asymmetric, and heat-transfer and heat-transfer fluctuations are enhanced, at all Ra studied. We also show that small-scale properties of velocity and temperature fields are strongly affected by the presence of the buoyant bubble leading to high non-gaussian profiles in the bulk.     

Modeling and simulation of thermocapillary flows using lattice Boltzmann method

To understand how thermocapillary forces manipulate droplet motion in microfluidic channels, we develop a lattice Boltzmann (LB) multiphase model to simulate thermocapillary flows. The complex hydrodynamic interactions are described by an improved color-fluid LB model, in which the interfacial tension forces and the Marangoni stresses are modeled in a consistent manner using the concept of a continuum surface force. An additional convection–diffusion equation is solved in the LB framework to obtain the temperature field, which is coupled to the interfacial tension through an equation of state. A stress-free boundary condition is also introduced to treat outflow boundary, which can conserve the total mass of an incompressible system, thus improving the numerical stability for creeping flows.The model is firstly validated against the analytical solutions for the thermocapillary driven convection in two superimposed fluids at negligibly small Reynolds and Marangoni numbers. It is then used to simulate thermocapillary migration of three-dimensional deformable droplet at various Marangoni numbers, and its accuracy is once again verified against the theoretical prediction in the limit of zero Marangoni number. Finally, we numerically investigate how the localized heating from a laser can block the microfluidic droplet motion through the induced thermocapillary forces. The droplet motion can be completely blocked provided that the intensity of laser exceeds a threshold value, below which the droplet motion successively undergoes four stages: constant velocity, deceleration, acceleration, and constant velocity. When the droplet motion is completely blocked, four steady vortices are clearly visible, and the droplet is fully filled by two internal vortices. The external vortices diminish when the intensity of laser increases.     

Gas kinetic algorithm for flows in Poiseuille-like microchannels using Boltzmann model equation

~~Gas kinetic algorithm for flows in Poiseuille-like microchannels using Boltzmann model equation1. Feynman, R., There's plenty of room at the bottom, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, 1992, 1: 60 -66. 2. Piekos, E. S., Breuer, K. S., Numerical modeling of micromechanical devices using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method, Transactions of the ASME, Journal of Fluids Engineering, 1996, 118: 464-469. 3. Beskok, A., Karniadakis, G. E., Trimmer, W., Rarefaction and …     

Solving generalized lattice Boltzmann model for 3-D cavity flows using CUDA-GPU

Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy - The generalized lattice Boltzmann equation (GLBE), with the addition of the standard Smagorinsky subgrid-stress (SGS) model, has been proved that...     

A lattice Boltzmann model for coupled diffusion

Diffusion coupling between different chemical components can have significant effects on the distribution of chemical species and can affect the physico-chemical properties of their supporting medium. The coupling can arise from local electric charge conservation for ions or from bound components forming compounds. We present a new lattice Boltzmann model to account for the diffusive coupling between different chemical species. In this model each coupling is added as an extra relaxation term in the collision operator. The model is tested on a simple diffusion problem with two coupled components and is in excellent agreement with the results obtained through a finite difference method. Our model is observed to be numerically very stable and unconditional stability is shown for a class of diffusion matrices. We further develop the model to account for advection and show an example of application to flow in porous media in two dimensions and an example of convection due to salinity differences. We show that our model with advection loses the unconditional stability, but offers a straight-forward approach to complicated two-dimensional advection and coupled diffusion problems.     

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.     

Optimal preconditioning of lattice Boltzmann methods

A preconditioning technique to accelerate the simulation of steady-state problems using the single-relaxation-time (SRT) lattice Boltzmann (LB) method was first proposed by Guo et al. [Z. Guo, T. Zhao, Y. Shi, Preconditioned lattice-Boltzmann method for steady flows, Phys. Rev. E 70 (2004) 066706-1]. The key idea in this preconditioner is to modify the equilibrium distribution function in such a way that, by means of a Chapman–Enskog expansion, a time-derivative preconditioner of the Navier–Stokes (NS) equations is obtained. In the present contribution, the optimal values for the free parameter γ$\gamma$ of this preconditioner are searched both numerically and theoretically; the later with the aid of linear-stability analysis and with the condition number of the system of NS equations. The influence of the collision operator, single- versus multiple-relaxation-times (MRT), is also studied. Three steady-state laminar test cases are used for validation, namely: the two-dimensional lid-driven cavity, a two-dimensional microchannel and the three-dimensional backward-facing step. Finally, guidelines are suggested for an a priori definition of optimal preconditioning parameters as a function of the Reynolds and Mach numbers. The new optimally preconditioned MRT method derived is shown to improve, simultaneously, the rate of convergence, the stability and the accuracy of the lattice Boltzmann simulations, when compared to the non-preconditioned methods and to the optimally preconditioned SRT one. Additionally, direct time-derivative preconditioning of the LB equation is also studied.     

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 multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method for high-speed compressible flows

This paper presents a coupling compressible model of the lattice Boltzmann method. In this model, the multiplerelaxation-time lattice Boltzmann scheme is used for the evolution of density distribution functions, whereas the modified single-relaxation-time(SRT) lattice Boltzmann scheme is applied for the evolution of potential energy distribution functions. The governing equations are discretized with the third-order Monotone Upwind Schemes for scalar conservation laws finite volume scheme. The choice of relaxation coefficients is discussed simply. Through the numerical simulations,it is found that compressible flows with strong shocks can be well simulated by present model. The numerical results agree well with the reference results and are better than that of the SRT version.     

Modeling electrokinetic flows by the smoothed profile method

We propose an efficient modeling method for electrokinetic flows based on the smoothed profile method (SPM) 1, 2, 3 and 4 and spectral element discretizations. The new method allows for arbitrary differences in the electrical conductivities between the charged surfaces and the surrounding electrolyte solution. The electrokinetic forces are included into the flow equations so that the Poisson–Boltzmann and electric charge continuity equations are cast into forms suitable for SPM. The method is validated by benchmark problems of electroosmotic flow in straight channels and electrophoresis of charged cylinders. We also present simulation results of electrophoresis of charged microtubules, and show that the simulated electrophoretic mobility and anisotropy agree with the experimental values.     

Double MRT thermal lattice Boltzmann method for simulating convective flows

A two-dimensional double Multiple Relaxation Time-Thermal Lattice Boltzmann Equation (2-MRT-TLBE) method is developed for predicting convective flows in a square differentially heated cavity filled with air (Pr=0.71). In this Letter, we propose a numerical scheme to solve the flow and the temperature fields using the MRT-D2Q9 model and the MRT-D2Q5 model, respectively. Thus, the main objective of this study is to show the effectiveness of such model to predict thermodynamics for heat transfer. This model is validated by the numerical simulations of the 2-D convective square cavity flow. Excellent agreements are obtained between numerical predictions. These results demonstrate the accuracy and the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.     

A solution-adaptive lattice Boltzmann method for two-dimensional incompressible viscous flows

A stencil adaptive lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is developed in this paper. It incorporates the stencil adaptive algorithm developed by Ding and Shu [26] for the solution of Navier–Stokes (N–S) equations into the LBM calculation. Based on the uniform mesh, the stencil adaptive algorithm refines the mesh by two types of 5-points symmetric stencils, which are used in an alternating sequence for increased refinement levels. The two types of symmetric stencils can be easily combined to form a 9-points symmetric structure. Using the one-dimensional second-order interpolation recently developed by Wu and Shu [27] along the straight line and the D2Q9 model, the adaptive LBM calculation can be effectively carried out. Note that the interpolation coefficients are only related to the lattice velocity and stencil size. Hence, the simplicity of LBM is not broken down and the accuracy is maintained. Due to the use of adaptive technique, much less mesh points are required in the simulation as compared to the standard LBM. As a consequence, the computational efficiency is greatly enhanced. The numerical simulation of two dimensional lid-driven cavity flows is carried out. Accurate results and improved efficiency are reached. In addition, the steady and unsteady flows over a circular cylinder are simulated to demonstrate the capability of proposed method for handling problems with curved boundaries. The obtained results compare well with data in the literature.     

格子玻尔兹曼方法对不同张角聚焦声束的建模

高强度聚焦超声(HIFU)是一种新型的无创治疗肿瘤新技术,其中换能器声场数值计算能够为HIFU治疗提供重要的依据。传统非线性KZK和SBE模型广泛应用于换能器声场数值计算,但依然存在某些不足。我们采用一种介观尺度的新型流体力学方法,即格子Boltzmann方法(LBM),基于2维9离散速度(D2Q9)格子构建了轴对称多弛豫参数LBM模型,并通过调节弛豫参数分析其对模型的影响;利用该模型对两个具有不同张角的球面聚焦换能器的声场进行数值模拟,并与KZK和SBE模型的计算结果进行比较。结果表明LBM模型能够很好地描述超声波的激发和传播机制,从流体力学的角度描述聚焦声场的分布,具有清晰的物理意义,且计算过程不受换能器张角的限制,在换能器声场的理论分析和模拟计算及其在HIFU治疗中的应用有着积极的意义。     

Local second-order boundary methods for lattice Boltzmann models

A new way to implement solid obstacles in lattice Boltzmann models is presented. The unknown populations at the boundary nodes are derived from the locally known populations with the help of a second-order Chapman-Enskog expansion and Dirichlet boundary conditions with a given momentum. Steady flows near a flat wall, arbitrarily inclined with respect to the lattice links, are then obtained with a third-order error. In particular, Couette and Poiseuille flows are exactly recovered without the Knudsen layers produced for inclined walls by the bounce back condition.     

Simulations of Bingham plastic flows with the multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann model

Fresh cement mortar is a type of workable paste,which can be well approximated as a Bingham plastic and whose flow behavior is of major concern in engineering.In this paper,Papanastasiou’s model for Bingham fluids is solved by using the multiplerelaxation-time lattice Boltzmann model(MRT-LB).Analysis of the stress growth exponent m in Bingham fluid flow simulations shows that Papanastasiou’s model provides a good approximation of realistic Bingham plastics for values of m108.For lower values of m,Papanastasiou’s model is valid for fluids between Bingham and Newtonian fluids.The MRT-LB model is validated by two benchmark problems:2D steady Poiseuille flows and lid-driven cavity flows.Comparing the numerical results of the velocity distributions with corresponding analytical solutions shows that the MRT-LB model is appropriate for studying Bingham fluids while also providing better numerical stability.We further apply the MRT-LB model to simulate flow through a sudden expansion channel and the flow surrounding a round particle.Besides the rich flow structures obtained in this work,the dynamics fluid force on the round particle is calculated.Results show that both the Reynolds number Re and the Bingham number Bn afect the drag coefcients CD,and a drag coefcient with Re and Bn being taken into account is proposed.The relationship of Bn and the ratio of unyielded zone thickness to particle diameter is also analyzed.Finally,the Bingham fluid flowing around a set of randomly dispersed particles is simulated to obtain the apparent viscosity and velocity fields.These results help simulation of fresh concrete flowing in porous media.     

Accuracy analysis of high-order lattice Boltzmann models for rarefied gas flows

In this work, we have theoretically analyzed and numerically evaluated the accuracy of high-order lattice Boltzmann (LB) models for capturing non-equilibrium effects in rarefied gas flows. In the incompressible limit, the LB equation is shown to be able to reduce to the linearized Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook (BGK) equation. Therefore, when the same Gauss–Hermite quadrature is used, LB method closely resembles the discrete velocity method (DVM). In addition, the order of Hermite expansion for the equilibrium distribution function is found not to be directly correlated with the approximation order in terms of the Knudsen number to the BGK equation for incompressible flows. Meanwhile, we have numerically evaluated the LB models for a standing-shear-wave problem, which is designed specifically for assessing model accuracy by excluding the influence of gas molecule/surface interactions at wall boundaries. The numerical simulation results confirm that the high-order terms in the discrete equilibrium distribution function play a negligible role in capturing non-equilibrium effect for low-speed flows. By contrast, appropriate Gauss–Hermite quadrature has the most significant effect on whether LB models can describe the essential flow physics of rarefied gas accurately. Our simulation results, where the effect of wall/gas interactions is excluded, can lead to conclusion on the LB modeling capability that the models with higher-order quadratures provide more accurate results. For the same order Gauss–Hermite quadrature, the exact abscissae will also modestly influence numerical accuracy. Using the same Gauss–Hermite quadrature, the numerical results of both LB and DVM methods are in excellent agreement for flows across a broad range of the Knudsen numbers, which confirms that the LB simulation is similar to the DVM process. Therefore, LB method can offer flexible models suitable for simulating continuum flows at the Navier–Stokes level and rarefied gas flows at the linearized Boltzmann model equation level.     

Analytical solution of axi-symmetrical lattice Boltzmann model for cylindrical Couette flows

Analytical solution for the axi-symmetrical lattice Boltzmann model is obtained for the low-Mach number cylindrical Couette flows. In the hydrodynamic limit, the present solution is in excellent agreement with the result of the Navier–Stokes equation. Since the kinetic boundary condition is used, the present analytical solution using nine discrete velocities can describe flows with the Knudsen number up to 0.1. Meanwhile, the comparison with the simulation data obtained by the direct simulation Monte Carlo method shows that higher-order lattice Boltzmann models with more discrete velocities are needed for highly rarefied flows.     

A spectral-element discontinuous Galerkin lattice Boltzmann method for nearly incompressible flows

We present a spectral-element discontinuous Galerkin lattice Boltzmann method for solving nearly incompressible flows. Decoupling the collision step from the streaming step offers numerical stability at high Reynolds numbers. In the streaming step, we employ high-order spectral-element discontinuous Galerkin discretizations using a tensor product basis of one-dimensional Lagrange interpolation polynomials based on Gauss–Lobatto–Legendre grids. Our scheme is cost-effective with a fully diagonal mass matrix, advancing time integration with the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. We present a consistent treatment for imposing boundary conditions with a numerical flux in the discontinuous Galerkin approach. We show convergence studies for Couette flows and demonstrate two benchmark cases with lid-driven cavity flows for Re = 400–5000 and flows around an impulsively started cylinder for Re = 550–9500. Computational results are compared with those of other theoretical and computational work that used a multigrid method, a vortex method, and a spectral element model.     

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.