A finite-volume front-tracking method for computations of multiphase flows in complex geometries

Abstract

A finite-volume/front-tracking (FV/FT) method is developed for computations of multiphase flows in complex geometries. The front-tracking methodology is combined with a dual time-stepping based FV method. The interface between phases is represented by connected Lagrangian marker points. An efficient algorithm is developed to keep track of the marker points in curvilinear grids. The method is implemented to solve two-dimensional (plane or axisymmetric) dispersed multiphase flows and is validated for the motion of buoyancy-driven drops in a periodically constricted tube with cases where drop breakup occurs.