In this letter, we derive entropy functions whose local equilibria are suitable to recover the Navier-Stokes equations in the framework of the Lattice Boltzmann method. For the two-dimensional nine-velocity lattice we demonstrate that such an entropy function is unique, and that the expansion of the corresponding local equilibrium is the well-known local equilibrium of Y. H. Qian et al. (Europhys. Lett., 17 (1992) 479). Based on the knowledge of entropy functions, we introduce a new version of the Lattice Boltzmann method with an H-theorem built in.

Derivation of the lattice Boltzmann method from the continuous kinetic theory [X. He and L. S. Luo, Phys. Rev. E 55, R6333 (1997); X. Shan and X. He, Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 65 (1998)] is extended in order to obtain boundary conditions for the method. For the model of a diffusively reflecting moving solid wall, the boundary condition for the discrete set of velocities is derived, and the error of the discretization is estimated. Numerical results are presented which demonstrate convergence to the hydrodynamic limit. In particular, the Knudsen layer in the Kramers’ problem is reproduced correctly for small Knudsen numbers.

A novel thermodynamically consistent lattice Boltzmann model that enables dynamical effects of two-phase fluids is developed. The key innovation is the application of the entropic lattice Boltzmann stabilization mechanism to control the dynamics at the liquid-vapor interface. This allows us to present a number of simulations of colliding droplets, including complex phenomena such as the formation of a stable lamella film. Excellent agreement of the simulation with recent experiments demonstrates the viability of the present approach to simulation of complex dynamic phenomena of multiphase fluids.

The entropy maximum approach to constructing equilibria in lattice kinetic equations is revisited. For a suitable entropy function, we derive explicitly the hydrodynamic local equilibrium, prove the $H$ theorem for lattice Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook models, and develop a systematic method to account for additional constraints.