Direct van der Waals simulation (DVS) of phase- transforming fluids

We present the method of direct van der Waals simulation (DVS) to study computationally flows with liquid -vapor phase transformations. Our approach is based on a discretization of the Navier-Stokes-Korteweg equa-tions, which couple flow dynamics with van der Waals' nonequilibrium thermodynamic theory of phase trans-formations, and opens an opportunity for first-principles simulation of a wide range of boiling and cavitating flows. The proposed algorithm enables unprecedented simulations of the Navier-Stokes-Korteweg equations involving cavitating flows at strongly under-critical conditions and O(105) Reynolds number. The proposed tech-nique provides a pathway for a fundamental understanding of phase-transforming flows with multiple applica-tions in science, engineering, and medicine.