Assessment of interaction potential in simulating nonisothermal multiphase systems by means of lattice Boltzmann modeling

The pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann model (PP-LBM) is a very popular model for simulating multiphase systems. In this model, phase separation occurs via a short-range attraction between different phases when the interaction potential term is properly chosen. Therefore, the potential term is expected to play a significant role in the model and to affect the accuracy and the stability of the computations. The original PP-LBM suffers from some drawbacks such as being capable of dealing with low density ratios only, thermodynamic inconsistency, and spurious velocities. In this paper, we aim to analyze the PP-LBM with the view to simulate single-component (non-)isothermal multiphase systems at large density ratios and in spite of the presence of spurious velocities. For this purpose, the performance of two popular potential terms and of various implementation schemes for these potential terms is examined. Furthermore, the effects of different parameters (i.e., equation of state, viscosity, etc.) on the simulations are evaluated, and, finally, recommendations for a proper simulation of (non-)isothermal multiphase systems are presented.