Multiphase flow modelling in the Lattice Boltzmann Framework

POSTE POURVU !!!
  • Contract : Ph.D.
  • Duration : 36 months
  • Working time : Full-time
  • Experience : Entry Level
  • Education level : Master’s Degree, MA/MS/MSc
  • Candidate profile searched : profile aeronautics / energetics / fluid mechanics

Your mission  :
The industry relies increasingly on numerical simulation for designing, improving, and even validating new combustion devices (engine, burner, furnace, etc.). Today, numerical combustion modelling relies almost exclusively on numerical codes solving the Navier-Stokes equations. 
The Lattice Boltzmann solvers are very different from these codes, intending to solve a discrete variant of the Boltzmann equation. This type of flow solver is progressing rapidly, however, in turbulent flows configurations. The results obtained with Lattice Boltzmann methods (LBM) have shown to be excellent for aerodynamic applications, motivating intensive development of new methods.
Lattice Boltzmann methods applied to industrial applications are recent, however, so few models are able to deal with multiphase or reactive flows flows. In particular, LB models for multiphase flows exist, but are all limited to low velocity flows, and the gas phase is systematically considered athermal (to the author's knowledge).
 
Strong of recent successes at M2P2 in extending the method to compressible flows including high velocities and high density ratios, we believe considering a compressible gas phase in the LBM framework is attainable whilst keeping all the scalability and cost advantages of LBM. Attaining that objective is the topic of the present PhD proposal.

Research subject, work plan: Extending the LBM capabilities to multi-phase requires a profound rethinking of existing methods developed within the Navier-Stokes framework. 
First, a thermodynamic closure suitable for multiphase compressible flows will be implemented. In a second step, phase transition will be implemented.

Target application include multi-phase flows in cryogenic engines cooling circuits as well as transient liquid oxygen feeding instabilities. 

The PhD will be part of  the largest research group on LBM in France (20-25 full-time investigators), and will work under the direction of P. Boivin, combustion specialist, in collaboration with P. Sagaut, a world-renowned scientist on turbulence modelling and LBM

For more information, contact  pierre.boivin[at]polytechnique.edu from M2P2

For apply :