Bingham fluid simulation with the incompressible lattice Boltzmann model

The Bingham fluid flow is numerically studied using the lattice Boltzmann method by incorporating the Papanastasiou exponential modification approach. The He–Luo incompressible lattice Boltzmann model is employed to avoid numerical instability usually encountered in non-Newtonian fluid simulations due to a strong non-linear relationship between the shear rate tensor and the rate-of-strain tensor. First, the value of the regularization parameter in Bingham fluid mimicking is analyzed and a method to determine the value is proposed. Then, the model is validated by pressure-driven planar channel flow and planar sudden expansion flow. The velocity profiles for the pressure-driven planar channel flow are in good agreement with analytical solutions. The calculated reattachment lengths for a 2:1 planar sudden expansion flow also agree well with the available data. Finally, the Bingham flow over a cavity is studied, and the streamlines and yielded/unyielded regions are discussed.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide