Numerical Simulation of Power-Law Fluid Flow in a Trapezoidal Cavity using the Incompressible Finite-Difference Lattice Boltzmann Method

Abstract

In this paper, a numerical investigation of power-law fluid flow in the trapezoidal cavity has been conducted by incompressible finite-difference lattice Boltzmann method (IFDLBM). By designing the equilibrium distribution function, the Navier-Stokes equations (NSEs) can be recovered exactly. Through the coordinate transformation method, the body-fitted grid in physical region is transformed into a uniform grid in computational region. The effect of Reynolds (Re) number, the power-law index $n$ and the vertical angle {\theta} on the trapezoidal cavity are investigated. According to the numerical results, we come to some conclusions. For low Re number Re=100, it can be found that the behavior of power-law fluid flow becomes more complicated with the increase of n. And as vertical angle {\theta} decreases, the flow becomes smooth and the number of vortices decreases. For high Re numbers, the flow development becomes more complex, the number and strength of vortices increase. If the Reynolds number increases further, the power-law fluid will changes from steady flow to periodic flow and then to turbulent flow. For the steady flow, the lager the {\theta}, the more complicated the vortices. And the critical Re number from steady to periodic state decreases with the decrease of power-law index n.