Simulation of Ternary Fluid Mixtures Separation by Phase-Field Free Energy LBM

This article reviews the mathematical and computer modeling of the process of ternary fluid mixture separation by free energy based phase field Lattice Boltzmann equations method. The process under study is considered in a limited area having the shape of a rectangle. Three different sets of fluid components with different structures are specified. The mathematical model constructed to describe this process is based on the Navier-Stokes equation for an incompressible fluid and the Cahn-Hilliard equation. The numerical model is built on the basis of LBM using the D2Q9 model. Numerical experiments were performed for two scenarios: (1) - investigate the model without gravity, in order to determine the patterns of the surface tension effect and (2) - investigate the model with gravity force. Numerical results showed a spinodal separation depending on the initial fractions of fluid concentrations. The results obtained determine the adequacy of the constructed model for a three-component fluid.