An explicit/implicit Runge-Kutta-based PFEM model for the simulation of thermally coupled incompressible flows

A semi-explicit Lagrangian scheme for the simulation of thermally coupled incompressible flow problems is presented. The model relies on combining an explicit multi-step solver for the momentum equation with an implicit heat equation solver. Computational cost of the model is reduced via application of an efficient strategy adopted for the solution of momentum/continuity system by the authors in their previous work. The applicability of the method to solving thermo-mechanical problems is studied via various numerical examples.