Viscous coupling based lattice Boltzmann model for binary mixtures

A new lattice Boltzmann model for binary mixtures, which can naturally include both the two-fluid approach and the single-fluid approach, is developed. The model is derived from the continuous kinetic model proposed by Hamel, which independently takes into account self-collisions and cross collisions. The original kinetic model is discussed in order to appreciate that cross collisions realize an internal coupling force, proportional to the diffusion velocity, and an additional coupling effect in the effective stress tensor, proportional to the deformation of the barycentric velocity field. For this reason, Hamel's model is the natural forerunner of all linearized models based on the two-fluid approach and allows us to describe binary mixtures at different limiting regimes consistently. A discrete lattice Boltzmann model, which recovers the original Hamel's model with second-order accuracy in both time and space, is proposed. This discrete model can analyze ordinary diffusion, pressure diffusion, and forced diffusion. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.