Direct van der Waals simulation (DVS) of phase-transforming fluids

TL;DR

This paper introduces Direct van der Waals simulation (DVS), a novel computational method for simulating liquid-vapor phase transformations in flows, enabling detailed analysis of cavitating and boiling flows at high Reynolds numbers.

Contribution

The paper presents a new discretization of the Navier-Stokes-Korteweg equations that couples flow dynamics with non-equilibrium thermodynamics, allowing first-principles simulation of complex phase-transforming flows.

Findings

Simulates cavitating flows at Reynolds numbers up to 10^5.

Enables detailed study of boiling and cavitation phenomena.

Provides a new computational pathway for phase-transforming flow analysis.

Abstract

We present the method of Direct van der Waals simulation (DVS) to study computationally flows with liquid-vapor phase transformations. Our approach is based on a novel discretization of the Navier-Stokes-Korteweg equations, that couple flow dynamics with van der Waals' non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory of phase transformations, and opens an opportunity for first-principles simulation of a wide range of boiling and cavitating flows. The proposed algorithm enables unprecedented simulations of the Navier-Stokes-Korteweg equations involving cavitating flows at strongly under-critical conditions and $\mathcal{O}(10^5)$ Reynolds number. The proposed technique provides a pathway for fundamental understanding of phase-transforming flows with multiple applications in science, engineering, and medicine.