The Finite Element Numerical Investigation of Free Surface Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluid Flows in the Rectangular Tanks

Abstract

In this paper, we develop a new computational framework to investigate the sloshing free surface flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids in the rectangular tanks. We simulate the flow via a two-phase model and employ the fixed unstructured mesh in the computation to avoid the mesh distortion and reconstruction. As for the solution of Navier–Stokes equation, we utilize the SUPG finite element method based on the splitting scheme. The same order interpolation functions are then used for velocity and pressure. Moreover, the moving interface is captured via the concise level set method. We take advantage of the implicit discontinuous Galerkin method to handle the solution of level set and its reinitialization equations. A mass correction technique is also added to ensure the mass conservation property. The dam break-free surface flow is simulated firstly to demonstrate the validity of our mathematical model. In addition, the sloshing Newtonian fluid in the tank with flat and rough bottoms is considered to illustrate the feasibility and robustness of our computational scheme. Finally, the development of free surface for non-Newtonian fluid is also studied in the two tanks, and the influence of power-law index on the sloshing fluid flow is analyzed.