On the formulations of interfacial force in the phase-field-based lattice Boltzmann method

Abstract

Different formulations of interfacial force have been adopted in phase-field-based lattice Boltzmann method for two-phase flows. Although they are identical mathematically, their numerical performances may be different due to truncation errors in the discretization. In this paper, four-type formulations of interfacial force available in the literature, namely stress tensor form (STF), chemical potential form (CPF), pressure form (PF) and continuum surface force (CSF) form, are compared and discussed. A series of benchmark problems, including stationary droplet, two merging droplets, Capillary wave, rising bubble and drop deformation in shear flow, are simulated. Numerical results show that CPF is a good choice for small surface deformation problems while STF is preferred for dynamical problems, both STF and CSF demonstrate good numerical stability.