Numerical Models for Two-Phase flows in Electric Fields

• Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Florian Kummer
• Subject Area: Fluid Mechanics
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 509491635

This project is concerned with the simulation of two-phase flows in the presence of electric fields. Thereby, its main goal within TRANSIEVES is the numerical investigation of the experimental setup proposed in subproject A1, i.e., the ping-pong droplet configuration. The first funding period is dedicated to building up the simulation toolbox and to perform specific simulations related to A1. In the second period, this simulation toolbox will be further developed to aid the implementation of separation processes. This will require larger simulations than in the first period, i.e., further development to support massive, parallel high-performance computing. The physical models underlying the numerical simulation are the two-phase Navier-Stokes equations in combination with an electrokinetic (Poisson-Nernst-Planck) model. The fluid interface will be tracked using a level-set method. We especially propose using a high-order, highly accurate extended discontinuous Galerkin (XDG) method to handle the discontinuities in properties such as density, viscosity and dielectric constant. Thereby, the XDG method is capable of approximating jumps in pressure, viscous and Maxwell stresses with a high order of accuracy. Furthermore, a variant of XDG, the so-called trace-DG method, will be used to simulate the concentration of adsorbed, ionic species at the fluid interface. In a later part of the work program, Marangoni forces will be introduced, i.e., a surface-tension that is dependent on the adsorbed species.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5584: Transient Sieves