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In this paper we construct a novel discretization of the Cahn-Hilliard equation coupled with the Navier-Stokes equations. The Cahn-Hilliard equation models the separation of a binary mixture. We construct a very simple time integration scheme for simulating the Cahn-Hilliard equation, which is based on splitting the fourth-order equation into two second-order Helmholtz equations. We combine the Cahn-Hilliard equation with the Navier-Stokes equations to simulate phase separation in a two-phase fluid flow in two dimensions. The scheme conserves mass and momentum and exhibits consistency between mass and momentum, allowing it to be used with large density ratios. We introduce a novel discretization of the surface tension force from the phase-field variable that has finite support around the transition region. The model has a parameter that allows it to transition from a smoothed continuum surface force to a fully sharp interface formulation. We show that our method achieves second-order accuracy, and we compare our method to previous work in a variety of experiments.
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Phase-field dynamics with transfer of materials: The Cahn–Hillard equation with reaction rate dependent dynamic boundary conditions
The Cahn–Hilliard equation is one of the most common models to describe phase separation processes of a mixture of two materials. For a better description of short-range interactions between the material and the boundary, various dynamic boundary conditions for the Cahn–Hilliard equation have been proposed and investigated in recent times. Of particular interests are the model by Goldstein et al . [ Phys. D 240 (2011) 754–766] and the model by Liu and Wu [ Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 233 (2019) 167–247]. Both of these models satisfy similar physical properties but differ greatly in their mass conservation behaviour. In this paper we introduce a new model which interpolates between these previous models, and investigate analytical properties such as the existence of unique solutions and convergence to the previous models mentioned above in both the weak and the strong sense. For the strong convergences we also establish rates in terms of the interpolation parameter, which are supported by numerical simulations obtained from a fully discrete, unconditionally stable and convergent finite element scheme for the new interpolation model.
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- PAR ID:
- 10258408
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- ESAIM: Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Analysis
- Volume:
- 55
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 0764-583X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 229 to 282
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1051/m2an/2020090
