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Lattice Boltzmann method coupled with the Oldroyd-B constitutive model for a viscoelastic fluid
Jin Su1, Jie Ouyang1, Xiaodong Wang1
1School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710129, Shaanxi, PR China.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|December 17, 2013
Summary
We developed a novel lattice Boltzmann method to simulate viscoelastic fluid flow. This accurate numerical technique captures complex rheological behaviors in channel and contraction flows.
Area of Science:
- Computational fluid dynamics
- Rheology
- Polymer physics
Background:
- Viscoelastic fluids exhibit complex flow behaviors crucial in polymer processing and biological systems.
- Accurate numerical simulation of viscoelasticity is challenging due to the interplay between fluid motion and polymer stresses.
- Existing methods often require complex implementations or suffer from numerical instabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a new lattice Boltzmann method for simulating viscoelastic fluid flow.
- To enhance numerical accuracy and stability in viscoelastic flow simulations.
- To investigate the capabilities of the method in capturing complex rheological phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Coupling a lattice Boltzmann Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (BGK) model for solvent flow with the Oldroyd-B constitutive equation.
- Direct calculation of the polymer stress tensor advection using particle distribution functions.
- Implementing a second-order Taylor expansion for numerical scheme, avoiding extra distribution functions.
Main Results:
- The method accurately simulates two-dimensional channel flow, showing good agreement with analytical and experimental data.
- The simulation of the 4:1 contraction problem reveals the method's ability to capture complex rheological behaviors.
- The numerical scheme demonstrates improved accuracy and stability without additional computational complexity.
Conclusions:
- The developed lattice Boltzmann method provides an accurate and efficient tool for simulating viscoelastic fluid dynamics.
- The approach successfully captures intricate flow patterns and rheological characteristics.
- This method offers a promising alternative for studying complex fluid flows in various scientific and engineering applications.
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