A numerical method for the quasi-incompressible Cahn–Hilliard–Navier–Stokes equations for variable density flows with a discrete energy law

In this paper, we investigate numerically a diffuse interface model for the Navier–Stokes equation with fluid–fluid interface when the fluids have different densities [48]. Under minor reformulation of the system, we show that there is a continuous energy law underlying the system, assuming that all...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of computational physics 2014-11, Vol.276, p.486-507
Main Authors: Guo, Z., Lin, P., Lowengrub, J.S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS
Continuous finite elements
DENSITY
Dynamical systems
Energy preservation
Evolution
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
FLUIDS
INTERFACES
Law
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical models
NAVIER-STOKES EQUATIONS
NEWTON METHOD
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
Phase-field method
Quasi-incompressible
TWO-PHASE FLOW
Variable density
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Summary:In this paper, we investigate numerically a diffuse interface model for the Navier–Stokes equation with fluid–fluid interface when the fluids have different densities [48]. Under minor reformulation of the system, we show that there is a continuous energy law underlying the system, assuming that all variables have reasonable regularities. It is shown in the literature that an energy law preserving method will perform better for multiphase problems. Thus for the reformulated system, we design a C0 finite element method and a special temporal scheme where the energy law is preserved at the discrete level. Such a discrete energy law (almost the same as the continuous energy law) for this variable density two-phase flow model has never been established before with C0 finite element. A Newton method is introduced to linearise the highly non-linear system of our discretization scheme. Some numerical experiments are carried out using the adaptive mesh to investigate the scenario of coalescing and rising drops with differing density ratio. The snapshots for the evolution of the interface together with the adaptive mesh at different times are presented to show that the evolution, including the break-up/pinch-off of the drop, can be handled smoothly by our numerical scheme. The discrete energy functional for the system is examined to show that the energy law at the discrete level is preserved by our scheme.
ISSN:0021-9991
1090-2716
DOI:10.1016/j.jcp.2014.07.038