Numerical simulation of drop deformation and breakup in shear flow

Three-dimensional numerical simulation of the deformation and breakup of an isolated liquid drop suspended in immiscible viscous fluid under shear flow is performed with diffuse interface method. The governing equations of the model are described by Navier-Stokes-Cahn-Hilliard equations. The surface tension is incorporated into the model through a modified stress. The uniform staggered Cartesian grid is used. The transient Navier-Stokes equations are solved by approximation projection method based on pressure increment formulation. The Cahn-Hilliard equations are solved by nonlinear full approximation multi-grid method. The numerical results of the drop deformation and breakup are in good agreement with experimental measurements. Therefore, the present model can be well applied to study the mechanism of the drop deformation and breakup.