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Diffuse Interface (D.I.) Model for Multiphase Flows

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Multiphase Microfluidics: The Diffuse Interface Model

Part of the book series: CISM Courses and Lectures ((CISM,volume 538))

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Abstract

We review the diffuse interface model for fluid flows, where all quantities, such as density and composition, are assumed to vary continuously in space. This approach is the natural extension of van der Waals’ theory of critical phenomena both for one-component, two-phase fluids and for liquid binary mixtures. The equations of motion are derived, showing that the problem is well posed, as the rate of change of the total energy equals the energy dissipation. In particular, we see that a non-equilibrium, reversible body force appears in the Navier-Stokes equation, that is proportional to the gradient of the generalized chemical potential. This, so called Korteweg, force is responsible for the convective motion observed in otherwise quiescent systems during phase change. Finally, the results of several numerical simulations are described, modeling, in particular, a) mixing, b) spinodal decomposition; c) nucleation; d) heat transfer; e) liquid-vapor phase separation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, The City College of CUNY, 10031, New York, USA

    Andrea G. Lamorgese

  2. Department of Energy Technology, University of Udine, 33100, Udine, Italy

    Dafne Molin

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry and Material Science, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy

    Roberto Mauri

Authors
  1. Andrea G. Lamorgese
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  2. Dafne Molin
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  3. Roberto Mauri
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pisa, Italy

    Roberto Mauri

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Lamorgese, A.G., Molin, D., Mauri, R. (2012). Diffuse Interface (D.I.) Model for Multiphase Flows. In: Mauri, R. (eds) Multiphase Microfluidics: The Diffuse Interface Model. CISM Courses and Lectures, vol 538. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1227-4_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1227-4_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-1226-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-1227-4

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