Application of Interface-Tracking Method Based on Phase-Field Model to Numerical Analysis of Isothermal and Thermal Two-Phase Flows

For interface-tracking simulation of two-phase flows in various micro-fluidics devices, the applicability of two versions of Navier-Stokes phase-field method (NS-PFM) was examined, combining NS equations for a continuous fluid with a diffuse-interface model based on the van der Waals-Cahn-Hilliard free-energy theory. Through the numerical simulations, the following major findings were obtained: (1) The first version of NS-PFM gives good predictions of interfacial shapes and motions in an incompressible, isothermal two-phase fluid with high density ratio on solid surface with heterogeneous wettability. (2) The second version successfully captures liquid-vapor motions with heat and mass transfer across interfaces in phase change of a non-ideal fluid around the critical point.