Upscaled phase-field models for interfacial dynamics in strongly heterogeneous domains

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel upscaled macroscopic Cahn-Hilliard model for strongly heterogeneous domains, enabling better modeling of interfacial dynamics in complex porous structures and confined geometries.

Contribution

The authors develop the first upscaling of the Cahn-Hilliard equation for perforated and strongly heterogeneous domains, broadening phase-field model applications.

Findings

Derived a new effective macroscopic Cahn-Hilliard equation.

Applied the model to wetting in porous media.

Demonstrated applicability to heterogeneous channels.

Abstract

We derive a new effective macroscopic Cahn-Hilliard equation whose homogeneous free energy is represented by 4-th order polynomials, which form the frequently applied double-well potential. This upscaling is done for perforated/strongly het- erogeneous domains. To the best knowledge of the authors, this seems to be the first attempt of upscaling the Cahn-Hilliard equation in such domains. The new homog- enized equation should have a broad range of applicability due to the well-known versatility of phase-field models. The additionally introduced feature of systemati- cally and reliably accounting for confined geometries by homogenization allows for new modeling and numerical perspectives in both, science and engineering. Our results are applied to wetting dynamics in porous media and to a single channel with strongly heterogeneous walls.