Lattice Boltzmann method for homogeneous and heterogeneous cavitation

Area of Science:

• Fluid Dynamics
• Computational Physics
• Thermodynamics

Background:

• Cavitation, the formation of vapor bubbles in liquids, is crucial in many engineering applications.
• Understanding homogeneous and heterogeneous cavitation requires accurate simulation methods.
• Existing models may not fully capture the complexities of multiphase flow during cavitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To simulate homogeneous and heterogeneous cavitation using a specific lattice Boltzmann model.
• To validate the model's accuracy against established physical principles.
• To provide a computational tool for studying cavitation phenomena.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of the Shan and Chen single component multiphase lattice Boltzmann model.
• Simulation of both homogeneous (bubble nucleation) and heterogeneous (interface-driven) cavitation scenarios.
• Comparison of simulation results with the equation of state and energy balance principles.

Main Results:

• The lattice Boltzmann model demonstrated excellent agreement for homogeneous cavitation simulations.
• Simulations of heterogeneous cavitation showed strong correlation with energy considerations for interface formation and bubble expansion.
• The model successfully captured key aspects of multiphase flow during cavitation.

Conclusions:

• The Shan and Chen lattice Boltzmann model is a reliable tool for simulating cavitation.
• The study validates the model's predictive capability for both homogeneous and heterogeneous cavitation.
• Findings support the use of this model in further research on fluid dynamics and phase transitions.