Code Verification for Multiphase Flows Using the Method of Manufactured Solutions

Code verification is the process of ensuring, to the degree possible, that there are no algorithm deficiencies and coding mistakes (bugs) in a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. In order to perform code verification, the Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS) is a rigorous technique that can be used in the absence of exact solution to the problem. This work addresses major aspects of performing code verification for multiphase flow codes using the open-source, multiphase flow code MFIX which employs a staggered-grid and a modified SIMPLE-based algorithm. Code verification is performed on 2D and 3D, uniform and stretched meshes for incompressible, steady and unsteady, single-phase and two-phase flows using the two-fluid model of MFIX. Currently, the algebraic gas-solid exchange terms are neglected as these can be tested via unit-testing. The no-slip wall, free-slip wall, and pressure outflow boundary conditions are verified for 2D and 3D flows. A newly-developed curl-based manufactured solution for 3D divergence free flows is introduced. Temporal order of accuracy during unsteady calculations is also assessed. Techniques are introduced to generate manufactured solutions that satisfy the divergence-free constraint during the verification of the incompressible governing equations. Manufactured solutions with constraints due to boundary conditions as well as due to divergence-free flow are derived in order to verify the boundary conditions. Use of staggered grid and SIMPLE-based algorithm for numerical computations in MFIX requires specific issues to be addressed while performing MMS-based code verification. Lessons learned during this code verification exercise are discussed.