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Updated: May 26, 2026
05:20
Characterization of Thermal Transport in One-dimensional Solid Materials
Published on: January 26, 2014
Phase separation in thermal systems: a lattice Boltzmann study and morphological characterization.
Yanbiao Gan1, Aiguo Xu, Guangcai Zhang
1State Key Laboratory for GeoMechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, SMCE, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|December 21, 2011
Summary
Thermal and isothermal liquid-vapor separations were studied using a fast Fourier transform thermal lattice Boltzmann model. Temperature affects phase separation dynamics, prolonging stages and altering morphology compared to isothermal systems.
Area of Science:
- Multiphase flow dynamics
- Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics
- Computational physics
Background:
- Phase separation is crucial in various physical and chemical processes.
- Understanding liquid-vapor separation dynamics is key to controlling material properties.
- Lattice Boltzmann methods offer a powerful tool for simulating complex fluid phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare thermal and isothermal symmetric liquid-vapor separations.
- To analyze the influence of temperature on spinodal decomposition and morphology.
- To explore the role of heat transfer and interfacial stresses in phase separation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a fast Fourier transform thermal lattice Boltzmann (FFT-TLB) model.
- Employed structure factor, domain size, and Minkowski functionals for characterization.
- Analyzed density and velocity fields, along with kinetic processes.
Main Results:
- Thermal separation prolongs spinodal decomposition and alters rheological/morphological behaviors compared to isothermal separation.
- Both systems exhibit power-law domain growth, with a lower exponent in the thermal case.
- Isothermal systems favor bicontinuous configurations, while thermal systems show scattered bubbles due to heat effects.
Conclusions:
- Heat creation, conduction, and reduced interfacial stresses significantly differentiate thermal from isothermal separation.
- Latent heat release alters local temperature and mechanical balance, influencing phase separation.
- Lower Prandtl numbers accelerate thermodynamic equilibrium; increased mean temperature lowers interfacial stress, prolonging spinodal decomposition.
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