An efficient three-phase interface reconstruction algorithm for two-dimensional VOF method

Abstract

In this work, we propose an efficient three-phase interface reconstruction algorithm for two-dimensional Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) method in regular Cartesian mesh, which includes new tagging, separation, and triple-point optimization strategies. The proposed Dynamic Point (DP) algorithm is material-order-independent and designed to address the interface reconstruction issue around three-phase cells with both triple point and layered topologies, enabling a quick convergence speed owing to the tailored feedback design in the localization procedure. A special strategy is applied in the case of layered topology to ensure the uniformity of the methodology. When utilized, the algorithm is hybridized with the Piecewise Linear Interface Calculation (PLIC) algorithm to further increase the efficiency and robustness, especially in the two-phase cells unaffected by the three-phase junction. With some symmetrically designed functions in the DP algorithm and the conditional inheriting of the intersections from neighboring cells in the hybrid strategy, better interface connectivity across the cell boundaries is attained. Static cases have demonstrated that the present DP algorithm is able to reconstruct the interface in and around the three-phase cells with high fidelity. The T- and Y-shape configurations are clearly captured with good connectivity, regardless of the in-cell position of the triple point. The three-phase layered topology can also be accurately recovered by the activation of the special strategy. Advection cases have shown a significant increase in the computational efficiency and an obvious improvement in the reconstruction of triple-point configurations during the evolution process, especially in the reversed vortex test