A Narrow Band Gradient-augmented Level Set Method for Multiphase Fluid Flow

Curtis Lee, Duke University

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The level set method implicitly tracks the location of an interface by representing it as the zero contour of a scalar level set function that is evolved on the entire computational domain. It has become a popular choice in simulating fluid problems because advection of the level set function takes place on an Eulerian grid, is relatively straightforward to code, and preserves topology changes of the interface with no additional effort. The gradient-augmented level set method developed by J.C. Nave, R.R. Rosales, and B. Seibold (2010, J. Comput. Phys. 229, 3802) improves the level set method by evolving both the level set function and its gradient values in a fully coupled fashion. Advantages of the method include better accuracy, reduced volume loss, sub-grid resolution of the interface, and an optimally local stencil (consisting of only a single grid cell). We have adapted this method for use in multiphase fluid simulations by interpolating the fluid velocity and introducing a reinitialization procedure that preserves the gradient information. In addition, the method is carried out only along a narrow band surrounding the interface, reducing computational effort while preserving the advantages of the gradient-augmented method.

Abstract Author(s): Curtis Lee, John Dolbow, Peter Mucha