Finite element methods for a class of continuum models for immiscible flows with moving contact lines

Abstract

In this paper we present a finite element method (FEM) for two-phase incompressible flows with moving contact lines. We use a sharp interface Navier-Stokes model for the bulk phase fluid dynamics. Surface tension forces, including Marangoni forces and viscous interfacial effects, are modeled. For describing the moving contact we consider a class of continuum models which contains several special cases known from the literature. For the whole model, describing bulk fluid dynamics, surface tension forces and contact line forces, we derive a variational formulation and a corresponding energy estimate. For handling the evolving interface numerically the level-set technique is applied. The discontinuous pressure is accurately approximated by using a stabilized extended finite element space (XFEM). We apply a Nitsche technique to weakly impose the Navier slip conditions on the solid wall. A unified approach for discretization of the (different types of) surface tension forces and contact line forces is introduced. The numerical methods are first validated for relatively simple test problems, namely a stationary spherical droplet in contact with a flat wall and a spherical droplet on a flat wall that spreads or contracts to a stationary form. A further validation is done for a two-phase Couette flow with contact lines. To illustrate the robustness of our FEM we also present results of simulations for a problem with a curved contact wall and for a problem with more complicated contact line dynamics.