Lattice Boltzmann simulations in microfluidics: probing the no-slip boundary condition in hydrophobic, rough, and surface nanobubble laden microchannels

In this contribution we review recent efforts on investigations of the effect of (apparent) boundary slip by utilizing lattice Boltzmann simulations. We demonstrate the applicability of the method to treat fundamental questions in microfluidics by investigating fluid flow in hydrophobic and rough microchannels as well as over surfaces covered by nano- or microscale gas bubbles.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure

Study of heat transfer phenomenon during natural convection

The purpose of the present study was to numerically investigate the effects of the roughness elements on the heat transfer during natural convection. A computational algorithm was developed based on the Lattice Boltzmann method to conduct numerical study in two-dimensional rectangular cavities and Rayleigh-Bénard cell. A single relaxation time Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook model of Lattice Boltzmann method was used to solve the coupled momentum and energy equations in two-dimensional lattices. Computational model was validated against previous benchmark solutions, and a good agreement was found to exist. A Newtonian fluid of Prandtl (Pr) number 1.0 was considered for this numerical study. The range of Ra numbers was investigated from 103 to 106. The roughness was introduced in the form of sinusoidal elements on a hot, cold, and both the hot and cold walls of the cavities and Rayleigh-Bénard cell. The frequency or number of the roughness elements and the dimensionless amplitude (h/H) were varied from 2 to 10 and 0.015 to 0.15 respectively. Numerical results showed that thermal and hydrodynamic behaviors of the fluid were considerably affected in the presence of the roughness elements. A dimensionless amplitude of approximately 0.025 has no significant effects on the average heat transfer. In contrast, a dimensionless amplitude of ≥ 0.05 cause a degradation in the average heat transfer and delay in the onset of natural convection. The maximum reduction in the average heat transfer was calculated to be approximately 51 percent in the Rayleigh-Bénard convection when the roughness was present on both the hot and cold walls with a dimensionless amplitude of 0.15 and the number of roughness elements equal to 10 --Abstract, page iv

Double-distribution-function discrete Boltzmann model for combustion

A 2-dimensional discrete Boltzmann model for combustion is presented. Mathematically, the model is composed of two coupled discrete Boltzmann equations for two species and a phenomenological equation for chemical reaction process. Physically, the model is equivalent to a reactive Navier-Stokes model supplemented by a coarse-grained model for the thermodynamic nonequilibrium behaviours. This model adopts 16 discrete velocities. It works for both subsonic and supersonic combustion phenomena with flexible specific heat ratio. To discuss the physical accuracy of the coarse-grained model for nonequilibrium behaviours, three other discrete velocity models are used for comparisons. Numerical results are compared with analytical solutions based on both the first-order and second-order truncations of the distribution function. It is confirmed that the physical accuracy increases with the increasing moment relations needed by nonequlibrium manifestations. Furthermore, compared with the single distribution function model, this model can simulate more details of combustion.Comment: Accepted for publication in Combustion and Flam