University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Lattice Boltzmann simulations of multiphase flows

Horwitz, Jeremy

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Jeremy_Horwitz.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/45432

Description

Title
Lattice Boltzmann simulations of multiphase flows
Author(s)
Horwitz, Jeremy
Issue Date
2013-08-22T16:40:00Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Vanka, Surya Pratap
Department of Study
Mechanical Sci & Engineering
Discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Date of Ingest
2013-08-22T16:40:00Z
Keyword(s)
  • Lattice Boltzmann
  • Multiphase Flow
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Droplets
Abstract
This thesis is a comprehensive account of my experiences implementing the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) for the purpose of simulating multiphase flows relevant to Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center (ACRC) applications. Other methodologies have been used to simulate multiphase flow including finite volume based Navier-Stokes solvers. These methods have found reasonable success in simulating multiphase flows. LBM was chosen because of its ability to capture multi-fluid physics including phase-change and interfacial dynamics with relative ease. In addition, the LBM algorithm can be easily parallelized. This allows larger problems to be simulated quicker. Among the multiphase LBM algorithms, we have implemented the Shan-Chen method, the He-Chen method, and an extension to the He-Chen method. We carefully document our methodology and discuss relevant kinetic theory and fluid dynamics. We present results for a number of fundamental flow problems including droplet impingement on solid and liquid surfaces as well as multiphase flow in complex micro-channels. In addition, we examine in great detail the problem of axial droplet migration and deformation in a square-duct at moderate Reynolds number. Our results suggest that the LBM algorithm is capable of simulating a wide range of flows and can accurately capture flow physics provided the density ratio among fluid phases is not large. Because ACRC equipment often harbor high density ratio flows, the standard LBM procedures require modification to accommodate higher density ratio problems. We investigate one such modification to the He-Chen algorithm by introducing a pressure Poisson equation (PPE) to reduce density variation related to compressibility effects.
Graduation Semester
2013-08
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/45432
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2013 Jeremy Horwitz

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