Entropic multirelaxation lattice Boltzmann models for turbulent flows

Unified lattice Boltzmann method with improved schemes for multiphase flow simulation: Application to droplet dynamics under realistic conditions

As a powerful mesoscale approach, the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) has been widely used for the numerical study of complex multiphase flows. Recently, Luo et al. [Philos. Trans. R. Soc. A: Math. Phys. Eng. Sci. 379, 20200397 (2021)10.1098/rsta.2020.0397] proposed a unified lattice Boltzmann method (ULBM) to integrate the widely used lattice Boltzmann collision operators into a unified framework. In this study, we incorporate additional features into this ULBM in order to simulate multiphase flow under realistic conditions. A nonorthogonal moment set [Fei et al., Phys. Rev. E 97, 053309 (2018)10.1103/PhysRevE.97.053309] and the entropic-multi-relaxation-time (KBC) lattice Boltzmann model are used to construct the collision operator. An extended combined pseudopotential model is proposed to realize multiphase flow simulation at high-density ratio with tunable surface tension over a wide range. The numerical results indicate that the improved ULBM can significantly decrease the spurious velocities and adjust the surface tension without appreciably changing the density ratio. The ULBM is validated through reproducing various droplet dynamics experiments, such as binary droplet collision and droplet impingement on superhydrophobic surfaces. Finally, the extended ULBM is applied to complex droplet dynamics, including droplet pancake bouncing and droplet splashing. The maximum Weber number and Reynolds number in the simulation reach 800 and 7200, respectively, at a density ratio of 1000. The study demonstrates the generality and versatility of ULBM for incorporating schemes to tackle challenging multiphase problems.

A unified lattice Boltzmann model and application to multiphase flows

In this work, we develop a unified lattice Boltzmann model (ULBM) framework that can seamlessly integrate the widely used lattice Boltzmann collision operators, including the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook or single-relation-time, multiple-relaxation-time, central-moment or cascaded lattice Boltzmann method and multiple entropic operators (KBC). Such a framework clarifies the relations among the existing collision operators and greatly facilitates model comparison and development as well as coding. Importantly, any LB model or treatment constructed for a specific collision operator could be easily adopted by other operators. We demonstrate the flexibility and power of the ULBM framework through three multiphase flow problems: the rheology of an emulsion, splashing of a droplet on a liquid film and dynamics of pool boiling. Further exploration of ULBM for a wide variety of phenomena would be both realistic and beneficial, making the LBM more accessible to non-specialists. This article is part of the theme issue 'Progress in mesoscale methods for fluid dynamics simulation'.

Linear and brute force stability of orthogonal moment multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann methods applied to homogeneous isotropic turbulence

Multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) lattice Boltzmann methods (LBM) based on orthogonal moments exhibit lattice Mach number dependent instabilities in diffusive scaling. The present work renders an explicit formulation of stability sets for orthogonal moment MRT LBM. The stability sets are defined via the spectral radius of linearized amplification matrices of the MRT collision operator with variable relaxation frequencies. Numerical investigations are carried out for the three-dimensional Taylor-Green vortex benchmark at Reynolds number 1600. Extensive brute force computations of specific relaxation frequency ranges for the full test case are opposed to the von Neumann stability set prediction. Based on that, we prove numerically that a scan over the full wave space, including scaled mean flow variations, is required to draw conclusions on the overall stability of LBM in turbulent flow simulations. Furthermore, the von Neumann results show that a grid dependence is hardly possible to include in the notion of linear stability for LBM. Lastly, via brute force stability investigations based on empirical data from a total number of 22 696 simulations, the existence of a deterministic influence of the grid resolution is deduced. This article is part of the theme issue 'Progress in mesoscale methods for fluid dynamics simulation'.

Inertial range statistics of the entropic lattice Boltzmann method in three-dimensional turbulence

We present a quantitative analysis of the inertial range statistics produced by entropic lattice Boltzmann method (ELBM) in the context of three-dimensional homogeneous and isotropic turbulence. ELBM is a promising mesoscopic model particularly interesting for the study of fully developed turbulent flows because of its intrinsic scalability and its unconditional stability. In the hydrodynamic limit, the ELBM is equivalent to the Navier-Stokes equations with an extra eddy viscosity term. From this macroscopic formulation, we have derived a new hydrodynamical model that can be implemented as a large-eddy simulation closure. This model is not positive definite, hence, able to reproduce backscatter events of energy transferred from the subgrid to the resolved scales. A statistical comparison of both mesoscopic and macroscopic entropic models based on the ELBM approach is presented and validated against fully resolved direct numerical simulations. Besides, we provide a second comparison of the ELBM with respect to the well-known Smagorinsky closure. We found that ELBM is able to extend the energy spectrum scaling range preserving at the same time the simulation stability. Concerning the statistics of higher order, inertial range observables, ELBM accuracy is shown to be comparable with other approaches such as Smagorinsky model.

Lattice Boltzmann Modeling of Drying of Porous Media Considering Contact Angle Hysteresis

Drying of porous media is governed by a combination of evaporation and movement of the liquid phase within the porous structure. Contact angle hysteresis induced by surface roughness is shown to influence multi-phase flows, such as contact line motion of droplet, phase distribution during drainage and coffee ring formed after droplet drying in constant contact radius mode. However, the influence of contact angle hysteresis on liquid drying in porous media is still an unanswered question. Lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) is an advanced numerical approach increasingly used to study phase change problems including drying. In this paper, based on a geometric formulation scheme to prescribe contact angle, we implement a contact angle hysteresis model within the framework of a two-phase pseudopotential LBM. The capability and accuracy of prescribing and automatically measuring contact angles over a large range are tested and validated by simulating droplets sitting on flat and curved surfaces. Afterward, the proposed contact angle hysteresis model is validated by modeling droplet drying on flat and curved surfaces. Then, drying of two connected capillary tubes is studied, considering the influence of different contact angle hysteresis ranges on drying dynamics. Finally, the model is applied to study drying of a dual-porosity porous medium, where phase distribution and drying rate are compared with and without contact angle hysteresis. The proposed model is shown to be capable of dealing with different contact angle hysteresis ranges accurately and of capturing the physical mechanisms during drying in different porous media including flat and curved geometries.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11242-021-01644-9.

Geometry of turbulent dissipation and the Navier-Stokes regularity problem

The question of whether a singularity can form in an initially regular flow, described by the 3D incompressible Navier-Stokes (NS) equations, is a fundamental problem in mathematical physics. The NS regularity problem is super-critical, i.e., there is a 'scaling gap' between what can be established by mathematical analysis and what is needed to rule out a singularity. A recently introduced mathematical framework-based on a suitably defined 'scale of sparseness' of the regions of intense vorticity-brought the first scaling reduction of the NS super-criticality since the 1960s. Here, we put this framework to the first numerical test using a spatially highly resolved computational simulation performed near a 'burst' of the vorticity magnitude. The results confirm that the scale is well suited to detect the onset of dissipation and provide numerical evidence that ongoing mathematical efforts may succeed in closing the scaling gap.

Enhanced multi-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann model by entropic stabilizers

The difficulty of choice of relaxation rates in multi-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann model (MRT-LBM) is surmounted by solution of least-square problem of entropic stabilizer equations. Relaxation rates in the enhanced MRT-LBM are evolving with time rather than remain constants. To derive entropic stabilizer equations, nonequilibrium population is split into different modes in terms of column vectors in the inverse transform matrix. The entropic stabilizer equations are achieved by minimization of H-function. Different moment representations in MRT-LBM, such as Gram-Schmidt orthogonal moment, natural moment, and central moment, are tested for double periodic shear flow, shock tube problem, and lid-driven cavity flow, which demonstrates the potential of enhanced MRT-LBM.

A lattice-Boltzmann free surface model for injection moulding of a non-Newtonian fluid

The aim of this work is to present a lattice Boltzmann (LB) model devoted to dealing with non-Newtonian free surface flow. The combination of LB solver with a free-surface model allows dealing with multiphase flows where the density ratio in between the two considered phases is so high that the lighter phase can be neglected. For this particular set of multiphase models, the interface between the two phases is numerically reconstructed and transported via a diffusion equation. Moreover, the application of a Carreau approach for viscosity modelling allows the introduction of effects related to shear stress on fluid flow evolution. Two different non-Newtonian silicon-like materials have been considered here, namely the polystyrene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Here, the author, after the mandatory model validation with a reference configuration, presents some applications of injection moulding for two different test-cases: the former is the injection in a labyrinth-like gasket, whereas the latter is the injection in a porous media. This article is part of the theme issue 'Fluid dynamics, soft matter and complex systems: recent results and new methods'.

Consistent vortex initialization for the athermal lattice Boltzmann method

A barotropic counterpart of the well-known convected vortex test case is rigorously derived from the Euler equations along with an athermal equation of state. Starting from a given velocity distribution corresponding to an intended flow recirculation, the athermal counterpart of the Euler equations are solved to obtain a consistent density field. The present initialization is assessed on a standard lattice Boltzmann solver based on the D2Q9 lattice. Compared to the usual isentropic initialization, a much lower spurious relaxation toward the targeted solution is observed, which is due to the spatial resolution rather than approximated macroscopic quantities. The amplitude of the spurious waves can be further reduced by including an off-equilibrium part in the initial distribution functions.

Comprehensive comparison of collision models in the lattice Boltzmann framework: Theoretical investigations

Over the last decades, several types of collision models have been proposed to extend the validity domain of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), each of them being introduced in its own formalism. This article proposes a formalism that describes all these methods within a common mathematical framework, and in this way allows us to draw direct links between them. Here, the focus is put on single and multirelaxation time collision models in either their raw moment, central moment, cumulant, or regularized form. In parallel with that, several bases (nonorthogonal, orthogonal, Hermite) are considered for the polynomial expansion of populations. General relationships between moments are first derived to understand how moment spaces are related to each other. In addition, a review of collision models further sheds light on collision models that can be rewritten in a linear matrix form. More quantitative mathematical studies are then carried out by comparing explicit expressions for the post-collision populations. Thanks to this, it is possible to deduce the impact of both the polynomial basis (raw, Hermite, central, central Hermite, cumulant) and the inclusion of regularization steps on isothermal LBMs. Extensive results are provided for the D1Q3, D2Q9, and D3Q27 lattices, the latter being further extended to the D3Q19 velocity discretization. Links with the most common two and multirelaxation time collision models are also provided for the sake of completeness. This work ends by emphasizing the importance of an accurate representation of the equilibrium state, independently of the choice of moment space. As an addition to the theoretical purpose of this article, general instructions are provided to help the reader with the implementation of the most complicated collision models.

Stability of the lattice kinetic scheme and choice of the free relaxation parameter

The lattice kinetic scheme (LKS), a modified version of the classical single relaxation time (SRT) lattice Boltzmann method, was initially developed as a suitable numerical approach for non-Newtonian flow simulations and a way to reduce memory consumption of the original SRT approach. The better performances observed for non-Newtonian flows are mainly due to the additional degree of freedom allowing an independent control over the relaxation of higher-order moments, independently from the fluid viscosity. Although widely applied to fluid flow simulations, no theoretical analysis of LKS has been performed. The present work focuses on a systematic von Neumann analysis of the linearized collision operator. Thanks to this analysis, the effects of the modified collision operator on the stability domain and spectral behavior of the scheme are clarified. Results obtained in this study show that correct choices of the "second relaxation coefficient" lead, to a certain extent, to a more consistent dispersion and dissipation for large values of the first relaxation coefficient. Furthermore, appropriate values of this parameter can lead to a larger linear stability domain. At moderate and low values of viscosity, larger values of the free parameter are observed to increase dissipation of kinetic modes, while leaving the acoustic modes untouched and having a less pronounced effect on the convective mode. This increased dissipation leads in general to less pronounced sources of nonlinear instability, thus improving the stability of the LKS.

Tricoupled hybrid lattice Boltzmann model for nonisothermal drying of colloidal suspensions in micropore structures

A tricoupled hybrid lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) is developed to simulate colloidal liquid evaporation and colloidal particle deposition during the nonisothermal drying of colloidal suspensions in micropore structures. An entropic multiple-relaxation-time multirange pseudopotential two-phase LBM for isothermal interfacial flow is first coupled to an extended temperature equation for simulating nonisothermal liquid drying. Then the coupled model is further coupled with a modified convection diffusion equation to consider the nonisothermal drying of colloidal suspensions. Two drying examples are considered. First, drying of colloidal suspensions in a two-pillar micropore structure is simulated in two dimensions (2D), and the final configuration of colloidal particles is compared with the experimental one. Good agreement is observed. Second, at the temperature of 343.15 K (70^{∘}C), drying of colloidal suspensions in a complex spiral-shaped micropore structure containing 220 pillars is simulated (also in 2D). The drying pattern follows the designed spiral shape due to capillary pumping, i.e., transport of the liquid from larger pores to smaller ones by capillary pressure difference. Since the colloidal particles are passively carried with liquid, they accumulate at the small menisci as drying proceeds. As liquid evaporates at the small menisci, colloidal particles are deposited, eventually forming solid structures between the pillars (primarily), and at the base of the pillars (secondarily). As a result, the particle deposition conforms to the spiral route. Qualitatively, the simulated liquid and particle configurations agree well with the experimental ones during the entire drying process. Quantitatively, the model demonstrates that the evaporation rate and the particle accumulation rate slowly decrease during drying, similar to what is seen in the experimental results, which is due to the reduction of the liquid-vapor interfacial area. In conclusion, the hybrid model shows the capability and accuracy for simulating nonisothermal drying of colloidal suspensions in a complex micropore structure both qualitatively and quantitatively, as it includes all the required physics and captures all the complex features observed experimentally. Such a tricoupled LBM has a high potential to become an efficient numerical tool for further investigation of real and complex engineering problems incorporating drying of colloidal suspensions in porous media.

Theoretical and numerical analysis of the lattice kinetic scheme for complex-flow simulations

The lattice kinetic scheme (LKS) is a modified version of the classical single relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method. Although used for many applications, especially when large variations in viscosity are involved, a thorough analysis of the scheme has not been provided yet. In the context of this work, the macroscopic behavior of this scheme is evaluated through the Chapman-Enskog analysis. It is shown that the additional degree of freedom provided in the scheme allows for an independent control of higher-order moments. These results are further corroborated by numerical simulations. The behavior of this numerical scheme is studied for selected external and internal flows to clarify the effect of the free parameter on the different moments of the distribution function. It is shown that it is more stable than SRT (single relaxation time) when confronted to fully periodic under-resolved simulations (especially for λ≈1). It can also help minimize the error coming from the viscosity-dependence of the wall position when combined with the bounce-back approach; although still present, viscosity-dependence of the wall position is reduced. Furthermore, as shown through the multiscale analysis, specific choices of the free parameter can cancel out the leading-order error. Overall, the LKS is shown to be a useful and efficient alternative to the SRT method for simulating numerically complex flows.

Fluid-structure interaction with the entropic lattice Boltzmann method

We propose a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) scheme using the entropic multi-relaxation time lattice Boltzmann (KBC) model for the fluid domain in combination with a nonlinear finite element solver for the structural part. We show the validity of the proposed scheme for various challenging setups by comparison to literature data. Beyond validation, we extend the KBC model to multiphase flows and couple it with a finite element method (FEM) solver. Robustness and viability of the entropic multi-relaxation time model for complex FSI applications is shown by simulations of droplet impact on elastic superhydrophobic surfaces.

Partial entropic stabilization of lattice Boltzmann magnetohydrodynamics

The entropic lattice Boltzmann algorithm of Karlin et al. [Phys. Rev. E 90, 031302 (2014)PLEEE81539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.90.031302] is partially extended to magnetohydrodynamics, based on the Dellar model of introducing a vector distribution for the magnetic field. This entropic ansatz is now applied only to the scalar particle distribution function so as to permit the many problems entailing magnetic field reversal. A 9-bit lattice is employed for both particle and magnetic distributions for our two-dimensional simulations. The entropic ansatz is benchmarked against our earlier multiple relaxation lattice-Boltzmann model for the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in a magnetized jet. Other two-dimensional simulations are performed and compared to results determined by more standard direct algorithms: in particular the switch over between the Kelvin-Helmholtz or tearing mode instability of Chen et al. [J. Geophys. Res.: Space Phys. 102, 151 (1997)JGREA20148-022710.1029/96JA03144], and the generalized Orszag-Tang vortex model of Biskamp-Welter [Phys. Fluids B 1, 1964 (1989)PFBPEI0899-822110.1063/1.859060]. Very good results are achieved.

Entropic multirelaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method for moving and deforming geometries in three dimensions

Entropic lattice Boltzmann methods have been developed to alleviate intrinsic stability issues of lattice Boltzmann models for under-resolved simulations. Its reliability in combination with moving objects was established for various laminar benchmark flows in two dimensions in our previous work [B. Dorschner, S. Chikatamarla, F. Bösch, and I. Karlin, J. Comput. Phys. 295, 340 (2015)JCTPAH0021-999110.1016/j.jcp.2015.04.017] as well as for three-dimensional one-way coupled simulations of engine-type geometries in B. Dorschner, F. Bösch, S. Chikatamarla, K. Boulouchos, and I. Karlin [J. Fluid Mech. 801, 623 (2016)JFLSA70022-112010.1017/jfm.2016.448] for flat moving walls. The present contribution aims to fully exploit the advantages of entropic lattice Boltzmann models in terms of stability and accuracy and extends the methodology to three-dimensional cases, including two-way coupling between fluid and structure and then turbulence and deforming geometries. To cover this wide range of applications, the classical benchmark of a sedimenting sphere is chosen first to validate the general two-way coupling algorithm. Increasing the complexity, we subsequently consider the simulation of a plunging SD7003 airfoil in the transitional regime at a Reynolds number of Re=40000 and, finally, to access the model's performance for deforming geometries, we conduct a two-way coupled simulation of a self-propelled anguilliform swimmer. These simulations confirm the viability of the new fluid-structure interaction lattice Boltzmann algorithm to simulate flows of engineering relevance.

Grid refinement for entropic lattice Boltzmann models

We propose a multidomain grid refinement technique with extensions to entropic incompressible, thermal, and compressible lattice Boltzmann models. Its validity and accuracy are assessed by comparison to available direct numerical simulation and experiment for the simulation of isothermal, thermal, and viscous supersonic flow. In particular, we investigate the advantages of grid refinement for the setups of turbulent channel flow, flow past a sphere, Rayleigh-Bénard convection, as well as the supersonic flow around an airfoil. Special attention is paid to analyzing the adaptive features of entropic lattice Boltzmann models for multigrid simulations.

Comparison of the lattice Boltzmann equation and discrete unified gas-kinetic scheme methods for direct numerical simulation of decaying turbulent flows

The main objective of this work is to perform a detailed comparison of the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) and the recently developed discrete unified gas-kinetic scheme (DUGKS) methods for direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulence and the Kida vortex flow in a periodic box. The flow fields and key statistical quantities computed by both methods are compared with those from the pseudospectral method at both low and moderate Reynolds numbers. The results show that the LBE is more accurate and efficient than the DUGKS, but the latter has a superior numerical stability, particularly for high Reynolds number flows. In addition, we conclude that the DUGKS can adequately resolve the flow when the minimum spatial resolution parameter k_{max}η>3, where k_{max} is the maximum resolved wave number and η is the flow Kolmogorov length. This resolution requirement can be contrasted with the requirements of k_{max}η>1 for the pseudospectral method and k_{max}η>2 for the LBE. It should be emphasized that although more validations should be conducted before the DUGKS can be called a viable tool for DNS of turbulent flows, the present work contributes to the overall assessment of the DUGKS, and it provides a basis for further applications of DUGKS in studying the physics of turbulent flows.

Conjugate heat transfer with the entropic lattice Boltzmann method

A conjugate heat-transfer model is presented based on the two-population entropic lattice Boltzmann method. The present approach relies on the extension of Grad's boundary conditions to the two-population model for thermal flows, as well as on the appropriate exact conjugate heat-transfer condition imposed at the fluid-solid interface. The simplicity and efficiency of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), and in particular of the entropic multirelaxation LBM, are retained in the present approach, thus enabling simulations of turbulent high Reynolds number flows and complex wall boundaries. The model is validated by means of two-dimensional parametric studies of various setups, including pure solid conduction, conjugate heat transfer with a backward-facing step flow, and conjugate heat transfer with the flow past a circular heated cylinder. Further validations are performed in three dimensions for the case of a turbulent flow around a heated mounted cube.