The Two-Phase Thin-Film Flow, Field Coupling Feature
The Two-Phase Thin-Film Flow, Phase Field () interface contains a multiphysics coupling feature, Two-Phase Thin-Film Flow, Phase Field, which is added automatically.
The Two-Phase Thin-Film Flow, Phase Field multiphysics coupling feature defines the density and dynamic viscosity of the fluid used in the Thin-Film Flow interface, and it defines the surface tension on the interface in form of a volume force used in the momentum equation. It also enables the Phase Field interface or the Phase Field, Thin-Film Flow interface to use the velocity field calculated from the Thin-Film Flow interface to transport the interface.
The multiphysics coupling is not available for boundaries (edges in 2D problems) with Cavitation option enabled in the Thin-Film Flow interface.
Settings
The Label is the default multiphysics coupling feature name.
The Name is used primarily as a scope prefix for variables defined by the coupling node. Refer to such variables in expressions using the pattern <name>.<variable_name>. In order to distinguish between variables belonging to different coupling nodes or physics interfaces, the name string must be unique. Only letters, numbers, and underscores (_) are permitted in the Name field. The first character must be a letter.
The default Name (for the first multiphysics coupling feature Two-Phase Thin-Film Flow, Phase Field in the model) is tpf1.
Domain Selection
When nodes are added from the context menu, you can select All domains (the default) or select Manual from the Selection list to choose specific domains.
Coupled Interfaces
This section controls which individual interfaces are coupled by the current coupling feature. If a physics interface is deleted and then added to the model again, then in order to reestablish the coupling, you need to choose the correct physics interface again from the Fluid flow or Moving interfaces lists.
Model Inputs
Fluid properties of each phase, such as density, viscosity, or the surface tension coefficient, can be defined through user inputs, variables, or by selecting a material. For the latter option, additional inputs, for example temperature, may be required to define these properties.
Temperature
By default, the Temperature model input is set to Common model input, and the temperature is controlled from Default Model Inputs under Global Definitions or by a locally defined Model Input. If a Heat Transfer interface is included in the component, it controls the temperature Common model input. Alternatively, the temperature field can be selected from another physics interface. All physics interfaces have their own tags (Name). For example, if a Heat Transfer in Fluids interface is included in the component, the Temperature (ht) option is available for T.
You can also select User defined from the Temperature model input in order to manually prescribe T.
Model Inputs and Multiphysics Couplings in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual
Fluid Properties
Use the corresponding section to specify the properties of the two fluids. The fluids are denoted Fluid 1 and Fluid 2, respectively.
To specify the properties of Fluid 1 from a material, select the appropriate material in the Fluid 1 list. Also make sure that the Density of fluid 1, ρ1, and Dynamic viscosity of fluid 1, μ1, are both set to From Material.
To instead apply a variable or expression for the density or dynamic viscosity for Fluid A, select User defined in the Density of fluid 1, ρ1, or the Dynamic viscosity of fluid 1, μ1, list and enter the expression in the corresponding text field.
Similarly, the properties of Fluid 2 can be specified. The default material is set to None.
The specification of densities for the two fluids is not available when the Modified Reynolds Equation option is chosen in the Thin-Film Flow interface.
Care should be taken when using the Domain Material setting for the material properties for Fluid 1 and Fluid 2. The material properties are obtained from the domain irrespective of the location of the interface. If two different materials are selected in domains 1 and 2, with the phase boundary initially coincident with the domain boundary, the model has convergence issues once the phase boundary moves away from the domain boundary. This is because a density discontinuity and a viscosity discontinuity occurs at the boundary separating the two fluids. For this reason, selecting the material directly is recommended when setting the material properties for Fluid 1 and Fluid 2.
Advanced Settings
The default method for Density averaging and Viscosity averaging is Volume average. In addition to the default method, Density averaging can be set to Heaviside function or Harmonic volume average, while Viscosity averaging can be set to Heaviside function, Harmonic volume average, Mass average, or Harmonic mass average. When a Heaviside function is used, enter a value for the corresponding mixing parameter, lρ or lμ.
The specification of the Density averaging is not available when the Modified Reynolds Equation option is chosen in the Thin-Film Flow interface.
Surface Tension
Select the Include surface tension force in momentum equation check box to include the surface tension force in the momentum equation. Select a Surface tension coefficient σ (SI unit: N/m):
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To use a predefined expression, select Library coefficient, liquid/gas interface or Library coefficient, liquid/liquid interface. Then select an option from the list that displays below (for example, Water/Air or Glycerol/Air).
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For User defined, enter a value or expression for the surface tension coefficient σ (SI unit: N/m).
Theory for the Two-Phase Thin-Film Flow, Phase Field Interfaces