Air Percolation Analysis for Multiphase Flow Using Volume of Fluid Approach

We come across multiphase flow (oil and air) in many applications in automotive, aerospace, marine, chemical, and power grid industries. The present study presents a model that describes the flow of oil and air through an orifice from one chamber to another based on gravity, viscosity, and density difference. The aim of this study is to provide a simulation technique that finds the total time required for the complete percolation of oil/air to drain out from the respective chambers. This technique uses the Volume Of Fluid (VOF) using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software STAR CCM+. VOF technique is a multiphase model and is very effective in determining the free-surface phenomenon. This technique uses an implicit unsteady and k-ε turbulence model at ambient conditions. Test results validate the CFD analysis. There is a good agreement between the simulation and test results.