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Lattice-Boltzmann studies of multiphase flow through porous media

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6648053

The author introduces lattice-Boltzmann models for the simulation of two or three immiscible fluids in two or three dimensions. These new numerical techniques, based on the recently introduced lattice-gas and lattice-Boltzmann models for simulating the Navier-Stokes equations, model the fluid as a collection of identical particles, or averages of these particles, which move on a regular lattice. When the particles reach nodes of the lattice they collide with other particles present at the node, conserving total mass and momentum at the node. In an asymptotic limit, both of these models obey the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The author has modified the single-phase lattice-Boltzmann model to simulate immiscible fluids by coloring the fluid red, green or blue and altering the collisions to obtain phase separation and the correct interfacial dynamics. Both the two-phase and three-phase lattice-Boltzmann models are described first. From consideration of the microscopic collision rules used in the models an analytic expression for the macroscopic surface tension coefficients is derived and then verified with numerical simulation. The models are then applied to simulate two and three-phase flow in microscopic models of porous media.

Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (United States)
OSTI ID:
6648053
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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