In this paper, a phase-field method under the framework of discrete unified gas-kinetic scheme (DUGKS) for incompressible multiphase fluid flows is proposed. Two kinetic models are constructed to solve the conservative Allen-Cahn equation that accounts for the interface behavior and the incompressible hydrodynamic equations that govern the flow field, respectively. With a truncated equilibrium distribution function as well as a temporal derivative added to the source term, the macroscopic governing equations can be exactly recovered from the kinetic models through the Chapman-Enskog analysis. Calculation of source terms involving high-order derivatives existed in the quasi-incompressible model is simplified. A series of benchmark cases including four interface-capturing tests and four binary flow tests are carried out. Results compared to that of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) have been obtained. A convergence rate of second order can be guaranteed in the test of interface diagonal translation. The capability of the present method to track the interface that undergoes a severe deformation has been verified. Stationary bubble and spinodal decomposition problems, both with a density ratio as high as 1000, are conducted and reliable solutions have been provided. The layered Poiseuille flow with a large viscosity ratio is simulated and numerical results agree well with the analytical solutions. Variation of positions of the bubble front and spike tip during the evolution of Rayleigh-Taylor instability has been predicted precisely. However, the detailed depiction of complicated interface patterns appearing during the evolution process is failed, which is mainly caused by the relatively large numerical dissipation of DUGKS compared to that of LBM. A high-order DUGKS is needed to overcome this problem.

A novel multilevel discrete unified gas kinetic scheme (MDUGKS) is proposed to efficiently model multiphase flows with large density ratios. By constructing the kinetic flux with a mutable time interval depending on the local mesh spacing, the MDUGKS overcomes the stability problems encountered by the standard DUGKS when operating with the multilevel mesh. With the interpolation of macroscopic variables and mesoscopic distributions handled separately, the moments of distribution functions are maintained consistent with the conservative flow variables. Two kinetic equations corresponding to the conservative Allen–Cahn equation and the hydrodynamic equation are individually solved by the MDUGKS, and six benchmark problems have been conducted to evaluate its performance. Numerical solutions in steady cases produced by the MDUGKS are in well accordance with the theoretical predictions. A limiting density ratio of 10⁹ is achieved in the quiescent droplet. The dynamic processes in unsteady cases anticipated by the MDUGKS agree well with the reference predictions. Comparative results also demonstrate that the MDUGKS behaves consistently with different types of meshes. With the employment of the adaptive multilevel mesh, 80% improvement in computational efficiency could be achieved compared with the uniform mesh. Considering the kinetic nature and the high efficiency, the MDUGKS offers a powerful tool for presenting meaningful insight into understanding the realistic multiphase systems at the mesoscopic scale.

The multiphase model based on free-energy theory has been experiencing long-term prosperity for its solid foundation and succinct implementation. To identify the main hindrance to developing a free-energy-based discrete unified gas-kinetic scheme (DUGKS), we introduced the classical lattice Boltzmann free-energy model into the DUGKS implemented with different flux reconstruction schemes. It is found that the force imbalance amplified by the reconstruction errors prevents the direct application of the free-energy model to the DUGKS. By coupling the well-balanced free-energy model with the DUGKS, the influences of the amplified force imbalance are entirely removed. Comparative results demonstrated a consistent performance of the well-balanced DUGKS despite the reconstruction schemes utilized. The capability of the DUGKS coupled with the well-balanced free-energy model was quantitatively validated by the coexisting density curves and Laplace’s law. In the quiescent droplet test, the magnitude of spurious currents is reduced to a machine accuracy of ${10}^{-15}$. Aside from the excellent performance of the well-balanced DUGKS in predicting steady-state multiphase flows, the spinodal decomposition test and the droplet coalescence test revealed its stability problems in dealing with transient flows. Further improvements are required on this point.

In this paper, a phase-field based model under the framework of discrete unified gas-kinetic scheme (DUGKS) for incompressible multiphase fluid flows is proposed. Two kinetic models are constructed to solve the conservative Allen-Cahn (A-C) equation that accounts for the interface behavior and the incompressible hydrodynamic equations that govern the flow field, respectively. With a truncated equilibrium distribution function as well as a temporal derivative added to the source term, the macroscopic governing equations can be exactly recovered from the kinetic models through the Chapmann-Enskog analysis. Calculation of source terms involving high-order derivatives existed in the quasi-incompressible model is simplified. A series of benchmark cases including four interface-capturing tests and four binary flow tests are carried out. Results compared to that of lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) have been obtained. A convergence rate of second-order can be guaranteed in the test of interface diagonal translation. The capability of present method in interface tracking that undergoes a severe deformation has been verified. Stationary bubble and spinodal decomposition problems, both with a density ratio as high as 1000, are conducted and reliable solutions have been provided. The layered Poiseuille flow with a large viscosity ratio is simulated and numerical results agree well with the analytical solutions. Variation of positions of the bubble front and spike tip during the evolution of Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) has been predicted precisely. However, the detailed depiction of complicated interface patterns appeared in the evolution process is failed, which is mainly caused by the relatively large numerical dissipation of DUGKS compared to that of LBM. A high-order DUGKS is needed to overcome this problem.