A mean-field free energy lattice Boltzmann model for multicomponent fluids

We propose a mean-field free energy approach to simulate multicomponent fluids. The model has been validated in terms of the Laplace equation of capillarity and dispersion relation of interfacial waves. Simulations of a ternary system shows that the total free energy decreases and reaches a minimum after phase separation has occurred. Different drop shapes can be obtained by adjusting the interaction strengths between individual components. These results demonstrate that both macroscopic free energy and microscopic fluid-fluid interactions have been well described in our multicomponent model.