Unstructured Finite-Volume Arbitrary Lagrangian / Eulerian Interface Tracking computational framework for incompressible two-phase flows with surfactants

Abstract

We present an open-source computational framework that implements the unstructured Finite-Volume Arbitrary Lagrangian / Eulerian (ALE) Interface Tracking method for incompressible two-phase flows with surfactants. The framework implements the Interface Tracking ALE method for incompressible two-phase flows using a segregated solution algorithm for solving coupled Navier-Stokes equations with interfacial jump conditions. The Finite Area method discretizes transport equations on curved and evolving fluid interfaces. The open-source implementation as an OpenFOAM module also contains the Sub-Grid-Scale (SGS) model for handling extremely narrow boundary layers of passively transported scalars with very small diffusivity. The SGS model significantly reduces resolution requirements for species transport across the fluid interface. The surface and bulk transport of surfactants and the SGS model are verified using (semi-)analytical verification cases. We also discuss complex setups, e.g., of a rising bubble at high Peclet-numbers under the influence of soluble surfactants.