A coupled volume-of-fluid and level set (VOSET) method for computing incompressible two-phase flows

• Published in: International journal of heat and mass transfer Vol. 53; no. 4; pp. 645 - 655
• Main Authors: Sun, D.L., Tao, W.Q.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Computational methods in fluid dynamics; Dams and subsidiary installations; Drops and bubbles; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Hydraulic constructions; Level set function; LS method; Nonhomogeneous flows; Physics; VOF method; Volume fraction function; VOSET method; VOSET method; Volume fraction function; LS method; VOF method; Level set function; Gas liquid interface; Geometrical shape; Dams; Ruptures; Computational fluid dynamics; Bubble ascent; Digital simulation; Oscillations; Bubbles; Two-phase flow; Modelling; Incompressible fluid; Iterative methods
• ISSN: 0017-9310; 1879-2189
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2009.10.030

A coupled volume-of-fluid and level set (VOSET) method, which combines the advantages and overcomes the disadvantages of VOF and LS methods, is presented for computing incompressible two-phase flows. In this method VOF method is used to capture interfaces, which can conserve the mass and overcome the disadvantage of nonconservation of mass in LS method. An iterative geometric operation proposed by author is used to calculate the level set function ϕ near interfaces, which can be applied to compute the accurate curvature κ and smooth the discontinuous physical quantities near interfaces. By using the level set function ϕ the disadvantages of VOF method, inaccuracy of curvature and bad smoothness of discontinuous physical quantities near interfaces, can be overcome. Finally the computing results made with VOSET method are compared with those made with VOF and LS methods.