COMPUTATIONS OF MULTIPHASE FLOWS WITH SURFACE TENSION USING AN ADAPTIVE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Abstract

An adaptive finite element method for solving incompressible steady-state axisymmetric free surface flow problems is presented. While the methodology is applicable to most types of multiphase flows, we are particularly interested in modeling laminar free surface flows such as free and impinging jets, which are usually modeled in a Lagrangian framework. An Eulerian strategy is used to capture the interface. Surface tension is included in the model in order to study its influence on the topology of the free surface. A stabilized finite element discretization is used to help solve the coupled system of partial differential equations. An adaptive methodology helps optimize the accuracy of the computed solution. The proposed adaptive free surface capturing methodology is competitive with interface tracking techniques, while being more flexible. The verification and validation of the methodology completes the article.