Compressible pressure-based Lattice-Boltzmann applied to humid air with phase change

Abstract A new compressible pressure-based Lattice Boltzmann Method is proposed to simulate humid air flows with phase change. The variable density and compressible effects are fully resolved, effectively lifting the Boussinesq approximation commonly used, e.g. for meteorological flows. Previous studies indicate that the Boussinesq assumption can lead to errors up to 25%, but the model remains common, for compressible models often suffer from a lack of stability. In order to overcome this issue, a new pressure-based solver is proposed, exhibiting excellent stability properties. Mass and momentum conservation equations are solved by a hybrid recursive regularized Lattice-Boltzmann approach, whereas the enthalpy and species conservation equations are solved using a finite volume method. The solver is based on a pressure-based method coupled with a predictor–corrector algorithm, and incorporates a humid equation of state, as well as a specific boundary condition treatment for phase change. In particular, boundary conditions that handle mass leakage are also proposed and validated. Three test cases are investigated in order to validate this new approach: the Rayleigh-Benard instability applied to humid air, the atmospheric rising of a condensing moist bubble, and finally the evaporation of a thin liquid film in a vertical channel. Results indicate that the proposed pressure-based Lattice-Boltzmann model is stable and accurate on all cases.