Finite-Difference Lattice Boltzmann Scheme for High-Speed Compressible Flow: Two-Dimensional Case

Lattice Boltzmann (LB) modeling of high-speed compressible flows has long been attempted by various authors. One common weakness of most of previous models is the instability problem when the Mach number of the flow is large. In this paper we present a finite-difference LB model, which works for flows with flexible ratios of specific heats and a wide range of Mach number, from $0$ to 30 or higher. Besides the discrete-velocity-model by Watari [Physica A 382 (2007) 502], a modified Lax--Wendroff finite difference scheme and an artificial viscosity are introduced. The combination of the finite-difference scheme and the adding of artificial viscosity must find a balance of numerical stability versus accuracy. The proposed model is validated by recovering results of some well-known benchmark tests: shock tubes and shock reflections. The new model may be used to track shock waves and/or to study the non-equilibrium procedure in the transition between the regular and Mach reflections of shock waves, etc.     

Flux Limiter Lattice Boltzmann Scheme Approach to Compressible Flows with Flexible Specific-Heat Ratio and Prandtl Number

We further develop the lattice Boltzmann (LB) model [Physica A 382 (2007) 502] for compressible flows from two aspects. Firstly, we modify the Bhatnagar--Gross-Krook (BGK) collision term in the LB equation, which makes the model suitable for simulating flows with different Prandtl numbers. Secondly, the flux limiter finite difference (FLFD) scheme is employed to calculate the convection term of the LB equation, which makes the unphysical oscillations at
discontinuities be effectively suppressed and the numerical dissipations be significantly diminished. The proposed model is validated by recovering results of some well-known benchmarks, including (i) The thermal Couette flow; (ii) One- and two-dimensional Riemann problems. Good agreements are obtained
between LB results and the exact ones or previously reported solutions. The flexibility, together with the high accuracy of the new model, endows the proposed model considerable potential for tracking some long-standing problems and for investigating nonlinear nonequilibrium complex systems.     

Multiple-Relaxation-Time Lattice Boltzmann Approach to Richtmyer-Meshkov Instability

The aims of the present paper are twofold. At first, we further study the Multiple-Relaxation-Time (MRT) Lattice Boltzmann (LB) model proposed in [Europhys. Lett. 90 (2010) 54003]. We discuss the reason why the Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization procedure is not needed in the construction of transformation matrix M; point out a reason why the Kataoka-Tsutahara model [Phys. Rev. E 69 (2004) 035701(R)] is only valid in subsonic flows.The von Neumann stability analysis is performed. Secondly, we carry out a preliminary quantitative study on the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability using the proposed MRT LB model. When a shock wave travels from a light medium to a heavy one, the simulated growth rate is in qualitative agreement with the perturbation model by Zhang-Sohn. It is about half of the predicted value by the impulsive model and is closer to the experimental result. When the shock wave travels from a heavy medium to a light one, our simulation results are also consistent with physical analysis.     

A study on the inclusion of body forces in the lattice Boltzmann BGK equation to recover steady-state hydrodynamics

When the lattice Boltzmann (LB) method is used to solve hydrodynamic problems containing a body force term varying in space and/or time, its modelling at the mesoscopic scale must be verified in terms of consistency in order to avoid the appearance of non-hydrodynamic error terms at the macroscopic scale. In the present work it is shown that the modelling of spatially varying steady body force terms in the LB equation must be different from the time-dependent case, when a steady-state flow solution is sought. For that, the Chapman-Enskog analysis is used to derive the LB body force model for the LB BGK equations in a steady-state flow problem. The theoretical findings are supported by numerical tests performed on two different 2D steady-state laminar flows driven by spatially varying body forces with known analytical solutions.     

Entropy and Galilean invariance of lattice Boltzmann theories

A theory of lattice Boltzmann (LB) models for hydrodynamic simulation is developed upon a novel relation between entropy construction and roots of Hermite polynomials. A systematic procedure is described for constructing numerically stable and complete Galilean invariant LB models. The stability of the new LB models is illustrated with a shock tube simulation.     

Two-dimensional MRT LB model for compressible and incompressible flows

In the paper we extend the Multiple-Relaxation-Time （MRT） Lattice Boltzmann （LB） model pro- posed in [Europhys. Lctt., 2010, 90： 54003] so that it is suitable also for incompressible flows. To decrease tile artificial oscillations, the convection term is discretized by the flux linfiter scheme with splitting technique. A new model is validated by some well-known benchmark tests, including Rie- mann problem and Couette flow, and satisfying agreements are obtained between the sinmlation results and ana.lytical ones. In order to show the merit of LB model over traditional methods, the non-equilibrium characteristics of system are solved. The simulation results are consistent with the physical analysis.     

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.     

Three-dimensional finite-difference lattice Boltzmann model and its application to inviscid compressible flows with shock waves

In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) finite-difference lattice Boltzmann model for simulating compressible flows with shock waves is developed in the framework of the double-distribution-function approach. In the model, a density distribution function is adopted to model the flow field, while a total energy distribution function is adopted to model the temperature field. The discrete equilibrium density and total energy distribution functions are derived from the Hermite expansions of the continuous equilibrium distribution functions. The discrete velocity set is obtained by choosing the abscissae of a suitable Gauss–Hermite quadrature with sufficient accuracy. In order to capture the shock waves in compressible flows and improve the numerical accuracy and stability, an implicit–explicit finite-difference numerical technique based on the total variation diminishing flux limitation is introduced to solve the discrete kinetic equations. The model is tested by numerical simulations of some typical compressible flows with shock waves ranging from 1D to 3D. The numerical results are found to be in good agreement with the analytical solutions and/or other numerical results reported in the literature.     

A fully discrete,kinetic energy consistent finite-volume scheme for compressible flows

A robust, implicit, low-dissipation method suitable for LES/DNS of compressible turbulent flows is discussed. The scheme is designed such that the discrete flux of kinetic energy and its rate of change are consistent with those predicted by the momentum and continuity equations. The resulting spatial fluxes are similar to those derived using the so-called skew-symmetric formulation of the convective terms. Enforcing consistency for the time derivative results in a novel density weighted Crank–Nicolson type scheme. The method is stable without the addition of any explicit dissipation terms at very high Reynolds numbers for flows without shocks. Shock capturing is achieved by switching on a dissipative flux term which tends to zero in smooth regions of the flow. Numerical examples include a one-dimensional shock tube problem, the Taylor–Green problem, simulations of isotropic turbulence, hypersonic flow over a double-cone geometry, and compressible turbulent channel flow.     

Lattice Boltzmann simulation of fluid flows in two-dimensional channel with complex geometries

Boundary conditions (BCs) play an essential role in lattice Boltzmann (LB) simulations. This paper investigates several most commonly applied BCs by evaluating the relative L₂-norm errors of the LB simulations for two-dimensional (2-D) Poiseuille flow. It is found that the relative L₂-norm error resulting from FHML's BC is smaller than that from other BCs as a whole. Then, based on the FHML's BC, it formulates an LB model for simulating fluid flows in 2-D channel with complex geometries. Afterwards, the flows between two inclined plates, in a pulmonary blood vessel and in a blood vessel with local expansion region, are simulated. The numerical results are in good agreement with the analytical predictions and clearly show that the model is effective. It is expected that the model can be extended to simulate some real biologic flows, such as blood flows in arteries, vessels with stenosises, aneurysms and bifurcations, etc.     

FFT-LB Modeling of Thermal Liquid-Vapor System

We present an improved lattice Boltzmann(LB) model for thermal liquid-vapor system.In the new model,the Windowed Fast Fourier Transform(WFFT) and its inverse are used to calculate both the convection term and the external force term of the LB equation.By adopting the WFFT scheme,Gibbs oscillations can be damped effectively in unsmooth regions while high resolution feature of the spectral method can be retained in smooth regions.As a result,spatial discretization errors are dramatically decreased,conservation of the total energy is much better preserved,and the spurious velocities near the liquid-vapor interface are significantly reduced.The high resolution,together with the low complexity of the WFFT approach,endows the proposed method with considerable potential for studying a wide class of problems in the field of multiphase flows.     

带外力项的iDdQ(q-1)多松弛格子Boltzmann模型

以3维14速（iD3Q14）多松弛格子Boltzmann（MRT LB）模型为例，在iDdQ（q-1）MRT LB模型的基础上，采用多尺度展开和反向设计法构造出带外力项的iDdQ（q-1）MRT LB模型，该模型在低Mach数的假设下可恢复到带外力项的不可压Navier-Stokes方程.通过对三维方形管道内泊肃叶流、脉动流以及二维Taylor涡衰减流的模拟发现，数值结果与解析解吻合很好，并且空间精度达到二阶，从而验证了新模型模拟外力驱动的稳态和非稳态不可压流动的有效性.     

Lattice Boltzmann modeling and simulation of compressible flows

In this mini-review we summarize the progress of Lattice Boltzmann (LB) modeling and simulating compressible flows in our group in recent years. Main contents include (i) Single-Relaxation-Time (SRT) LB model supplemented by additional viscosity, (ii) Multiple-Relaxation-Time (MRT) LB model, and (iii) LB study on hydrodynamic instabilities. The former two belong to improvements of physical modeling and the third belongs to simulation or application. The SRT-LB model supplemented by additional viscosity keeps the original framework of Lattice Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (LBGK). So, it is easier and more convenient for previous SRT-LB users. The MRT-LB is a completely new framework for physical modeling. It significantly extends the range of LB applications. The cost is longer computational time. The developed SRT-LB and MRT-LB are complementary from the sides of convenience and applicability.     

An energy-consistency-preserving large eddy simulation-scalar filtered mass density function (LES-SFMDF) method for high-speed flows

An energy-consistency-preserving large eddy simulation-scalar filtered mass density function (LES-SFMDF) method is developed to improve the existing LES-SFMDF method in high-speed flows, especially supersonic flows. The high-speed source term in the SFMDF transport equation is analysed theoretically from a new point of view, and then several primary principles are proposed for the LES-SFMDF to achieve a good consistency even along discontinuities. Based on these principles and further theoretical analysis, the high-speed source term of the enthalpy in the SFMDF is modelled and computed from both MC and LES variables rather than the usually used solely LES variables. This new LES-SFMDF method is used for simulating the flows in a shock tube and in a subsonic temporally developing mixing layer. This method shows a better particle energy consistency than the existing method when applied across discontinuities in supersonic laminar flows. Unlike the existing method, with this energy-consistency-preserving LES-SFMDF method, particle energy consistency is consistent with particle mass consistency so that particle energy consistency can benefit from particle velocity correction. This method also demonstrates robustness for various numbers of particles.     

A study of the transition to instability in a Rijke tube with axial temperature gradient

A horizontal Rijke tube with an electric heat source is a system convenient for studying the fundamental principles of thermoacoustic instabilities both experimentally and theoretically. Given the long history of the device, there is a surprising lack of accurate data defining its behavior. In this work, the main system parameters are varied in a quasi-steady fashion in order to find stability boundaries accurately. The chief purposes of this study are to obtain precise values of the system parameters at the transition to instability with specified uncertainties and to determine how well the experimental results can be explained with existing theory. Measurement errors are reported, and the influence of experimental procedures on the results is discussed. A form of hysteresis effect at stability boundaries has been observed. Mathematical modelling is based on a thermal analysis determining the temperature of the heater and the temperature field in the air inside the tube, which, consequently, affects acoustical mode shapes. Solutions of the linearized wave equation for a non-uniform medium, including losses and a heat source term, determine the stability properties of the eigen modes. Calculated results are compared with experimental data and with results of the modelling based on the common assumption of a constant temperature in the tube. The mathematical model developed here can be applied to designing thermal devices with low Mach number flows, where thermoacoustic issue is a concern.     

A time-reversal lattice Boltzmann method

In this paper we address the time-reversed simulation of viscous flows by the lattice Boltzmann method (LB). The theoretical derivation of the reversed LB from the Boltzmann equation is detailed, and the method implemented for weakly compressible flows using the D2Q9 scheme. The implementation of boundary conditions is also discussed. The accuracy and stability are illustrated by four test cases, namely the propagation of an acoustic wave in a medium at rest and in an uniform mean flow, the Taylor–Green vortex decay and the vortex pair–wall collision.     

A numerical study on pattern selection in crystal growth by using anisotropic lattice Boltzmann-phase field method

Pattern selection during crystal growth is studied by using the anisotropic lattice Boltzmann-phase field model.In the model,the phase transition,melt flows,and heat transfer are coupled and mathematically described by using the lattice Boltzmann(LB) scheme.The anisotropic streaming-relaxation operation fitting into the LB framework is implemented to model interface advancing with various preferred orientations.Crystal pattern evolutions are then numerically investigated in the conditions of with and without melt flows.It is found that melt flows can significantly influence heat transfer,crystal growth behavior,and phase distributions.The crystal morphological transition from dendrite,seaweed to cauliflower-like patterns occurs with the increase of undercoolings.The interface normal angles and curvature distributions are proposed to quantitatively characterize crystal patterns.The results demonstrate that the distributions are corresponding to crystal morphological features,and they can be therefore used to describe the evolution of crystal patterns in a quantitative way.     

Extension of the finite volume particle method to viscous flow

The finite volume particle method (FVPM) is a mesh-free method for fluid dynamics which allows simple and accurate implementation of boundary conditions and retains the conservation and consistency properties of classical finite volume methods. In this article, the FVPM is extended to viscous flows using a consistency-corrected smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) approximation to evaluate velocity gradients. The accuracy of the viscous FVPM is improved by a higher-order discretisation of the inviscid flux combined with a second-order temporal discretisation. The higher-order inviscid FVPM is validated for a 1-D shock tube problem, in which it demonstrates an enhanced shock capturing ability. For two-dimensional simulations, a small arbitrary Lagrange–Euler correction to fully Lagrangian particle motion is beneficial in maintaining a favourable particle distribution over long simulation times. The viscous FVPM is validated for two-dimensional Poiseuille, Taylor–Green and lid-driven cavity flows, and good agreement is achieved with analytic or reference numerical solutions. These results establish the viability of FVPM as a tool for mesh-free simulation of viscous flows in engineering.     

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.     

GPU accelerated CESE method for 1D shock tube problems

In the present study, a GPU accelerated 1D space–time CESE method is developed and applied to shock tube problems with and without condensation. We have demonstrated how to implement the CESE algorithm to solve 1D shock tube problems using an older generation GPU (the NVIDIA 9800 GT) with relatively limited memory. To optimize the code performance, we used Shared Memory and solved the inter-Block boundary problem in two ways, namely the branch scheme and the overlapping scheme. The implementations of these schemes are discussed in detail and their performances are compared for the Sod shock tube problems. For the Sod problem without condensation, the speedup over an Intel CPU E7300 is 23 for the branch scheme and 41 for the overlapping scheme, respectively. While for problems with condensation, both schemes achieve higher acceleration ratios, 53 and 71, respectively. The higher speedup of the condensation case can be ascribed to the source term calculation which has a local dependence on the mesh point and the SOURCE kernel has a higher acceleration ratio.