An efficient three-dimensional multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann model for multiphase flows

Abstract

In this paper, an efficient three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann (LB) model with multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) collision operator is developed for the simulation of multiphase flows. This model is an extension of our previous two-dimensional model (H. Liang, B. C. Shi, Z. L. Guo, and Z. H. Chai, Phys. Rev. E. 89, 053320 (2014)) to the three dimensions using the D3Q7 (seven discrete velocities in three dimensions) lattice for the Chan-Hilliard equation (CHE) and the D3Q15 lattice for the Navier-Stokes equations (NSEs). Due to the smaller lattice-velocity numbers used, the computional efficiency can be significantly improved in simulating real three-dimensional flows, and simultaneously the present model can recover to the CHE and NSEs correctly through the chapman-Enskog procedure. We compare the present MRT model with the single-relaxation-time model and the previous three-dimensional LB model using two benchmark interface-tracking problems, and numerical results show that the present MRT model can achieve a significant improvement in the accuracy and stability of the interface capturing. The developed model is also able to deal with multiphase fluids with very low viscosities due to the using of the MRT collision model, which is demonstrated by the simulation of the classical Rayleigh-Taylor instability at various Reynolds numbers. The maximum Reynolds number considered in this work reaches up to $4000$, which is larger than those of almost previous simulations. It is found that the instabilty induces a more complex structure of the interface at a high Reynolds number.