The accurate simulation of compressible multi-phase flows with surface tension effects is currently still one of the most challenging problems in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The basic difficulties are the capturing of the correct interface dynamics between the two fluids as well as the computation of the interface curvature. In this paper, we present a novel path-conservative finite volume discretization of the continuum surface force method (CSF) of Brackbill et?al. to account for the surface tension effect due to curvature of the phase interface. This is achieved in the context of a diffuse interface approach, based on the seven equation Baer-Nunziato model of compressible multi-phase flows. Such diffuse interface methods for compressible multi-phase flows including capillary effects have first been proposed by Perigaud and Saurel. In the CSF method, the surface tension effect is replaced by a volume force, which is usually integrated as a classical volume source term. However, since this source term contains the gradient of a color function that is convected with the flow velocity, we propose to integrate the CSF source term as a non-conservative product and not simply as a source term, following the ideas on path-conservative finite volume schemes put forward by Castro and Pares.For that purpose, we use the new generalized Osher-type Riemann solver (DOT), recently proposed by Dumbser and Toro and compare it with a path-conservative Roe and Rusanov scheme. Via numerical evidence we can show that if the curvature computation is exact, our new scheme is well-balanced for a steady circular bubble in equilibrium according to the Young-Laplace law. This means that the pressure jump term across the interface in the momentum equation is exactly balanced with the surface tension force.We apply our scheme to several one- and two-dimensional test problems, including 1D Riemann problems, an oscillating droplet, as well as a deforming droplet initially attached to a wall and which is subject to gravity and surface tension forces. Finally, we also check the rising of a gas bubble due to buoyancy forces. We compare our numerical results with those published previously in the literature.
['Nguyen T. Nguyen', 'Michael Dumbser']
A path-conservative finite volume scheme for compressible multi-phase flows with surface tension