Simulation of Micro-Channel Flows by Lattice Boltzmann Method

C. Y. Lim ^[1] and C. Shu ^[2]

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore

In the present work, we extend the LBM (Lattice Boltzmann Method) to simulate the steady state, pressure driven micro-channel flows. LBM is a particle-based method, which is different from the conventional Navier-Stokes solvers where the continuum assumption is applied, and a slip boundary condition is implemented for the micro flow. Its mesoscopic representation of particle’s kinetics is also much different to that used in direct numerical simulations such as DSMC (Direct Simulation of Monte Carlo). It is believed that LBM has a potential in simulating the micro flow. In this model, we pay particular attention in obtaining the pressure distribution of flow across the channel within the slip flow regime (0.001 < Kn < 0.1) with the consideration of rarefaction and minute dimension effects (Kn=l / H). We obtain favourable results that demonstrate the non-linearity and compressibility effect occurred in the pressure distribution of a micro-channel flow. We also manage to capture the desired slip phenomenon at the solid wall, which remains the major interest in micro-scaled flow simulation.

Authors: [1] C. Y. Lim, Research student, [2] C. Shu, Associate Professor