Numerical simulation of threedimensional interfacial flows

• Published in: International journal of numerical methods for heat & fluid flow 2007-05, Vol.17 (4), p.384-404
• Main Authors: Jahanbakhsh, E., Panahi, R., Seif, M.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Density measurement; Flow measurement; Numerical control; Simulation
• ISSN: 0961-5539
• DOI: 10.1108/09615530710739167

Purpose This study aims to present compatible computational fluid dynamics procedure for calculation of incompressible threedimensional timedependent flow with complicated free surface deformation. A computer software is developed and validated using a variety of academic test cases. Designmethodologyapproach Two fluids are modeled as a single continuum with a fluid property jump at the interface by solving a scalar transport equation for volume fraction. In conjunction, the conservation equations for mass and momentum are solved using fractional step method. Here, a finite volume discretisation and colocated arrangement are used. Findings The developed code results in accurate simulation of interfacial flows, e.g. RayleighTaylor instability, sloshing and dambreaking problems. All results are in good concordance with experimental data especially when there are two phases with high density ratio. Research limitationsimplications Turbulence, which has great importance in a wide variety of real world phenomena, is not considered in the present formulation and left for future researches. Originalityvalue Here, an integrated numerical simulation for transient interfacial flows is presented. In this way, the pressure integral term in NavierStokes equation is discretised based on a newly developed interpolation which results in nonoscillative velocity field especially in free surface.