An auxiliary grid method for computations of multiphase flows in complex geometries

A method is developed for computations of interfacial flows in complex geometries. The method combines a fronttracking method with a newly developed finite volume (FV) scheme and utilizes an auxiliary grid for computationally efficient tracking of interfaces in body-fitted curvilinear grids. The tracking algorithm reduces particle tracking in a curvilinear grid to tracking on a uniform Cartesian grid with a look up table. The algorithm is general and can be used for other applications where Lagrangian particles have to be tracked in curvilinear or unstructured grids. The spatial and temporal errors are examined and it is shown that the method is globally second order accurate both in time and space. The method is implemented to solve two-dimensional (planar or axisymmetric) interfacial flows and is validated for a buoyancy-driven drops in a straight tube and the motion of buoyancy-driven drops in a periodically constricted channel. 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.