In this paper, three-dimensional (3D) multi-relaxation time (MRT)
lattice-Boltzmann (LB) models for multiphase flow are presented. In contrast to
the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (BGK) model, a widely employed kinetic model, in MRT
models the rates of relaxation processes owing to collisions of particle
populations may be independently adjusted. As a result, the MRT models offer a
significant improvement in numerical stability of the LB method for simulating
fluids with lower viscosities. We show through the Chapman-Enskog multiscale
analysis that the continuum limit behavior of 3D MRT LB models corresponds to
that of the macroscopic dynamical equations for multiphase flow. We extend the
3D MRT LB models developed to represent multiphase flow with reduced
compressibility effects. The multiphase models are evaluated by verifying the
Laplace-Young relation for static drops and the frequency of oscillations of
drops. The results show satisfactory agreement with available data and
significant gains in numerical stability.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Journal of Computational Physic