2020 Volume 76 Issue 2 Pages I_439-I_449
Both level set methods and volume of fluid (VOF) methods are popular for computation of immiscible-fluid flows. Here a comparative study of the ACLS (accurate conservative level set) method, a level set variant, and the CICSAM (compressive interface capturing scheme for arbitrary meshes) method, a VOF variant, in terms of accuracy and efficiency has been carried out. Several benchmark tests revealed that the ACLS method combined with a high-order scheme shows a remarkable ability for interface capturing. While the CICSAM is available only at low-CFL-number conditions, its accuracy comparable to the ACLS method and easiness of implementation are also desirable. Application to the steady state air bubble test, which requires coupling with a Navier-Stokes equation solver, presented that a sophisticated method for calculation of interface normal and curvature is essential for VOF methods when surface tension force plays an important role.
