On a Novel Dual-Grid Level-Set Method for Two-Phase Flow Simulation

Abstract

In this work, a hypothesis is proposed for two-phase flow simulation: The number of grid points required for the grid-independent solution of the flow field is lesser than that required to capture the grid-independent interface. Based on this, a dual-grid level-set(LS) method (DGLSM) is proposed, where the LS and energy equations are solved on a uniform grid which is twice finer than the continuity and momentum equations. This novel grid arrangement is aimed at improving interface resolution with only a slight increase in computational time. Qualitative and quantitative results of the DGLSM are compared against analytical, experimental, and numerical results on three stringent test problems: dam break, Rayleigh-Taylor instability, and film boiling. The results show that the DGLSM is accurate and robust, even for surface tension-dominant flows. Moreover, the hypothesis is corroborated by showing that the DGLSM is nearly as accurate as the completely refined traditional LS method at substantially less computational expense.