English

Numerical simulation of electrically-driven flows using OpenFOAM

Fluid Dynamics 2018-09-06 v2

Abstract

In this work, we study the implementation of electrically-driven flow (EDF) models in the finite-volume framework of OpenFOAM®\text{OpenFOAM}^\circledR. The Poisson-Nernst-Planck model is used for the transport of charged species and it is coupled to the Navier-Stokes equations, governing the fluid flow. In addition, the Poisson-Boltzmann and Debye-H\"uckel models are also implemented. The discretization method and the boundary conditions are carefully handled in order to ensure conservativeness of ionic species in generic meshes and second-order accuracy in space and time. The applicability of the developed solver is illustrated in two relevant EDFs: induced-charge electroosmosis around a conducting cylinder and charge transport across an ion-selective membrane. The solver developed in the present work, freely available as open-source, can be a valuable and versatile tool in the investigation of generic electrically-driven flows.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1802.02843,
  title  = {Numerical simulation of electrically-driven flows using OpenFOAM},
  author = {Francisco Pimenta and Manuel A. Alves},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1802.02843},
  year   = {2018}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-23T00:15:43.450Z