Volume of fluid method

About: Volume of fluid method is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 5338 publications have been published within this topic receiving 116760 citations.

Volume tracking of interfaces having surface tension in two and three dimensions

Abstract: Solution algorithms are presented for tracking interfaces with piecewise linear (PLIC) volume-of-fluid (VOF) methods on fixed (Eulerian) two-dimensional (2-D) structured and three-dimensional (3-D) structured and unstructured grids. We review the theory of volume tracking methods, derive appropriate volume evolution equations, identify and present solutions to the basic geometric functions needed for interface reconstruction and volume fluxing, and provide detailed algorithm templates for modern 2-D and 3-D PLIC VOF interface tracking methods. We discuss some key outstanding issues for PLIC VOF methods, namely the method used for time integration of fluid volumes (operator splitting, unsplit, Runge-Kutta, etc.) and the estimation of interface normals. We also present our latest developments in the continuum surface force (CSF) model for surface tension, namely extension to 3-D and variable surface tension effects. We identify and focus on key outstanding CSF model issues that become especially critical on fine meshes with high density ratio interfacial flows, namely the surface delta function approximation, the estimation of interfacial curvature, and the continuum surface force scaling and/or smoothing model. Numerical results in two and three dimensions are used to illustrate the properties of these methods.

A mass‐conserving Level‐Set method for modelling of multi‐phase flows

Abstract: A mass-conserving Level-Set method to model bubbly flows is presented. The method can handle high density-ratio flows with complex interface topologies, such as flows with simultaneous occurrence of bubbles and droplets. Aspects taken into account are: a sharp front (density changes abruptly), arbitrarily shaped interfaces, surface tension, buoyancy and coalescence of droplets/bubbles. Attention is paid to mass-conservation and integrity of the interface. The proposed computational method is a Level-Set method, where a Volume-of-Fluid function is used to conserve mass when the interface is advected. The aim of the method is to combine the advantages of the Level-Set and Volume-of-Fluid methods without the disadvantages. The flow is computed with a pressure correction method with the Marker-and-Cell scheme. Interface conditions are satisfied by means of the continuous surface force methodology and the jump in the density field is maintained similar to the ghost fluid method for incompressible flows

CFD Simulation of Boiling Flows Using the Volume-of-Fluid Method within OpenFOAM

Abstract: This article describes the implementation and validation of a nucleate boiling model in the volume-of-fluid solver of OpenFOAM. Emphasis is put on the implementation of the contact line evaporation, which can typically not be resolved by the numerical grid, and on the conjugate heat transfer between solid and fluid. For validation, the sucking interface problem and the growth of a spherical bubble have been simulated successfully. In order to validate the contact line model and the conjugate heat transfer, the growth of a bubble from a heated steel foil has been calculated.

Continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis system and method

Abstract: A continuous cycle peritoneal dialysis system which includes a source (14) of dialysis fluid, and an inflow line (34) and outflow line (35) connected to a catheter (26) implanted in the peritoneal cavity (28). A fill pump (B) pumps dialysis fluid from the source to the catheter during a fill cycle. A drain pump C pumps fluid from the catheter to a drain during a drain cycle. A function of a volume of the dialysis fluid in the peritoneal cavity is detected by a manometer (D). A process controller (A) controls the fill and drain pumps in response to signals from a high fluid level detector (50) and a low fluid level detector (52) on a fluid column tube (48) to pump a calibrated fill volume of fluid into the cavity and a calibrated drain volume of fluid out of the cavity continuously in alternating fill and drain cycles in a manner that the fluid flows through the cavity generally with zero dwell time. In the process, an inflow volume of dialysis fluid pumped into the cavity is metered (36b) and an outflow volume of fluid pumped out of the cavity is metered (44b) to determine the amount of fluid removed from the patient by comparing the inflow and outflow volumes.