Simulation of two-phase flows and numerical evaluation of interfacial area

Abstract

Rising bubbles are simulated numerically as one of the fundamental two-phase flow phenomena using the two-component two-phase lattice Boltzmann method, since sharp interfaces are obtained and the coalescence and breakup of bubbles are simulated easily. The variation of interfacial area is measured for one or two rising bubbles. It is found that the interfacial area decreases during the coalescence of two bubbles while it increases during the breakup of a bubble. The change in the interfacial area is shown to correspond to the change in the shape of the bubbles.