I. V. Karlin

Hydrodynamics beyond Navier-Stokes: Exact solution to the lattice Boltzmann hierarchy

The exact solution to the hierarchy of nonlinear lattice Boltzmann (LB) kinetic equations in the stationary planar Couette flow is found at nonvanishing Knudsen numbers. A new method of solving LB kinetic equations which combines the method of moments with boundary conditions for populations enables us to derive closed-form solutions for all higher-order moments. A convergence of results suggests that the LB hierarchy with larger velocity sets is the novel way to approximate kinetic theory.

Lattice Boltzmann method for direct numerical simulation of turbulent flows

We present three-dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the Kida vortex flow, a prototypical turbulent flow, using a novel high-order lattice Boltzmann (LB) model. Extensive comparisons of various global and local statistical quantities obtained with an incompressible-flow spectral element solver are reported. It is demonstrated that the LB method is a promising alternative for DNS as it quantitatively captures all the computed statistics of fluid turbulence.

Reduced description in the reaction kinetics

Models of complex reactions in thermodynamically isolated systems often demonstrate evolution towards low-dimensional manifolds in the phase space. For this class of models, we suggest a direct method to construct such manifolds, and thereby to reduce the effective dimension of the problem. The approach realizes the invariance principle of the reduced description, it is based on iterations rather than on a small parameter expansion, it leads to tractable linear problems, and is consistent with thermodynamic requirements. The approach is tested with a model of catalytic reaction.

HILBERT'S 6TH PROBLEM: EXACT AND APPROXIMATE HYDRODYNAMIC MANIFOLDS FOR KINETIC EQUATIONS

The problem of the derivation of hydrodynamics from the Boltz- mann equation and related dissipative systems is formulated as the problem of slow invariant manifold in the space of distributions. We review a few in- stances where such hydrodynamic manifolds were found analytically both as the result of summation of the Chapman-Enskog asymptotic expansion and by the direct solution of the invariance equation. These model cases, comprising Grads moment systems, both linear and nonlinear, are studied in depth in order to gain understanding of what can be expected for the Boltzmann equa- tion. Particularly, the dispersive dominance and saturation of dissipation rate of the exact hydrodynamics in the short-wave limit and the viscosity modifica- tion at high divergence of the flow velocity are indicated as severe obstacles to the resolution of Hilberts 6th Problem. Furthermore, we review the derivation of the approximate hydrodynamic manifold for the Boltzmann equation using Newtons iteration and avoiding smallness parameters, and compare this to the exact solutions. Additionally, we discuss the problem of projection of the Boltzmann equation onto the approximate hydrodynamic invariant manifold using entropy concepts. Finally, a set of hypotheses is put forward where we describe open questions and set a horizon for what can be derived exactly or proven about the hydrodynamic manifolds for the Boltzmann equation in the future.

Factorization symmetry in the lattice Boltzmann method

A non-perturbative algebraic theory of the lattice Boltzmann method is developed based on the symmetry of a product. It involves three steps: (i) Derivation of admissible lattices in one spatial dimension through a matching condition which imposes restricted extension of higher-order Gaussian moments, (ii) A special quasi-equilibrium distribution function found analytically in closed form on the product-lattice in two and three spatial dimensions, and which proves the factorization of quasi-equilibrium moments, and (iii) An algebraic method of pruning based on a one-into-one relation between groups of discrete velocities and moments. Two routes of constructing lattice Boltzmann equilibria are distinguished. The present theory includes previously known limiting and special cases of lattices, and enables automated derivation of lattice Boltzmann models from two-dimensional tables, by finding the roots of one polynomial and solving a few linear systems.

Entropic lattice Boltzmann method for simulation of thermal flows

A new thermal entropic lattice Boltzmann model on the standard two-dimensional nine-velocity lattice is introduced for simulation of weakly compressible flows. The new model covers a wider range of flows than the standard isothermal model on the same lattice, and is computationally efficient and stable.

Simulation of binary droplet collisions with the entropic lattice Boltzmann method

The recently introduced entropic lattice Boltzmann method (ELBM) for multiphase flows is extended here to simulation of droplet collisions. Thermodynamically consistent, non-linearly stable ELBM together with a novel polynomial equation of state is proposed for simulation large Weber and Reynolds number collisions of two droplets. Extensive numerical investigations show that ELBM is capable of accurately capturing the dynamics and complexity of droplet collision. Different types of the collision outcomes such as coalescence, reflexive separation, and stretching separation are identified. Partition of the parameter plane is compared to the experiments and excellent agreement is observed. Moreover, the evolution of the shape of a stable lamella film is quantitatively compared with experimental results. The end pinching and the capillary-wave instability are shown to be the main mechanisms behind formation of satellite droplets for near head-on and off-center collisions with high impact parameter, respectively. It is shown that the number of satellite drops increases with increasing Weber number, as predicted by experiments. Also, it is demonstrated that the rotational motion due to angular momentum and elongation of the merged droplet play essential roles in formation of satellite droplets in off-center collisions with an intermediate impact parameter.

Conjugate heat transfer with the entropic lattice Boltzmann method.

A conjugate heat-transfer model is presented based on the two-population entropic lattice Boltzmann method. The present approach relies on the extension of Grads boundary conditions to the two-population model for thermal flows, as well as on the appropriate exact conjugate heat-transfer condition imposed at the fluid-solid interface. The simplicity and efficiency of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), and in particular of the entropic multirelaxation LBM, are retained in the present approach, thus enabling simulations of turbulent high Reynolds number flows and complex wall boundaries. The model is validated by means of two-dimensional parametric studies of various setups, including pure solid conduction, conjugate heat transfer with a backward-facing step flow, and conjugate heat transfer with the flow past a circular heated cylinder. Further validations are performed in three dimensions for the case of a turbulent flow around a heated mounted cube.

Relativistic Lattice Boltzmann Model with Improved Dissipation

We develop a relativistic lattice Boltzmann (LB) model, providing a more accurate description of dissipative phenomena in relativistic hydrodynamics than previously available with existing LB schemes. The procedure applies to the ultra-relativistic regime, in which the kinetic energy (temperature) far exceeds the rest mass energy, although the extension to massive particles and/or low temperatures is conceptually straightforward. In order to improve the description of dissipative effects, the Maxwell-Juettner distribution is expanded in a basis of orthonormal polynomials, so as to correctly recover the third order moment of the distribution function. In addition, a time dilatation is also applied, in order to preserve the compatibility of the scheme with a cartesian cubic lattice. To the purpose of comparing the present LB model with previous ones, the time transformation is also applied to a lattice model which recovers terms up to second order, namely up to energy-momentum tensor. The approach is validated through quantitative comparison between the second and third order schemes with BAMPS (the solution of the full relativistic Boltzmann equation), for moderately high viscosity and velocities, and also with previous LB models in the literature. Excellent agreement with BAMPS and more accurate results than previous relativistic lattice Boltzmann models are reported.

Rayleigh-Bénard instability in graphene

Motivated by the observation that electrons in graphene, in the hydrodynamic regime of transport, can be treated as a two-dimensional ultrarelativistic gas with very low shear viscosity, we examine the existence of the Rayleigh-Benard instability in a massless electron-hole plasma. First, we perform a linear stability analysis, derive the leading contributions to the relativistic Rayleigh number, and calculate the critical value above which the instability develops. By replacing typical values for graphene, such as thermal conductivity, shear viscosity, temperature, and sample sizes, we find that the instability might be experimentally observed in the near future. Additionally, we have performed simulations for vanishing reduced chemical potential and compare the measured critical Rayleigh number with the theoretical prediction, finding good agreement.