Deep learning interfacial momentum closures in coarse-mesh CFD two-phase flow simulation using validation data

Multiphase flow phenomena have been widely observed in the industrial applications, yet it remains a challenging unsolved problem. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approaches resolve of the flow fields on finer spatial and temporal scales, which can complement dedicated experimental study. However, closures must be introduced to reflect the underlying physics in multiphase flow. Among them, the interfacial forces, including drag, lift, turbulent-dispersion and wall-lubrication forces, play an important role in bubble distribution and migration in liquid-vapor two-phase flows. Development of those closures traditionally rely on the experimental data and analytical derivation with simplified assumptions that usually cannot deliver a universal solution across a wide range of flow conditions. In this paper, a data-driven approach, named as feature-similarity measurement (FSM), is developed and applied to improve the simulation capability of two-phase flow with coarse-mesh CFD approach. Interfacial momentum transfer in adiabatic bubbly flow serves as the focus of the present study. Both a mature and a simplified set of interfacial closures are taken as the low-fidelity data. Validation data (including relevant experimental data and validated fine-mesh CFD simulations results) are adopted as high-fidelity data. Qualitative and quantitative analysis are performed in this paper. These reveal that FSM can substantially improve the prediction of the coarse-mesh CFD model, regardless of the choice of interfacial closures. It demonstrates that data-driven methods can aid the multiphase flow modeling by exploring the connections between local physical features and simulation errors. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Multiphase flow phenomena are complex and challenging to model with traditional analytical and experimental methods. This paper introduces a data-driven approach called feature-similarity measurement (FSM) to improve the simulation capability of two-phase flow using coarse-mesh CFD. The study focuses on interfacial momentum transfer in adiabatic bubbly flow, and demonstrates that FSM can significantly enhance predictions regardless of the choice of interfacial closures.