Hello Sir or Madam:

I am trying to model multiphase flow in a bubble column reactor. The basis of my program has been a single phase model using the projection method by Chorin. I know, most researchers use the SIMPLE or SIMPLER algorithm for multiphase problems, which allow larger time steps. However, does anyone of you have some experience unsing the proyection method? I am interested in advantages/dsadvantages of this method.

Thanks in advance, Stefan Leschka

It is not the problem with time steps. Chorin¡¯s classic projection scheme is only first-order and subject to a spurious boundary layer when the viscosity is relatively large. However, in multiphase flows, any claimed second-order scheme will degenerates to first-order unless one treats the pressure discontinuous across the interface and without using regularization of singularities. To my knowledge, there is only one second-order method so far in the finite difference context, which is done by Li and Lai (J. Comput. Phys. 171, 822-842, 2001). It could be done much easier in the finite element of volume context, since the singularities are integratable.

Hope this helps.

Thank you very much. I changed my algorithm and now it should be something like the SIMPLE algorithm.

Regards, Stefan