Efficient finite element schemes for a phase field model of two-phase incompressible flows with different densities

Abstract

In this paper, we present two multiple scalar auxiliary variable (MSAV)-based, finite element numerical schemes for the Abels-Garcke-Gr{ü}n (AGG) model, which is a thermodynamically consistent phase field model of two-phase incompressible flows with different densities. Both schemes are decoupled, linear, second-order in time, and the numerical implementation turns out to be straightforward. The first scheme solves the Navier-Stokes equations in a saddle point formulation, while the second one employs the artificial compressibility method, leading to a fully decoupled structure with a time-independent pressure update equation. In terms of computational cost, only a sequence of independent elliptic or saddle point systems needs to be solved at each time step. At a theoretical level, the unique solvability and unconditional energy stability (with respect to a modified energy functional) of the proposed schemes are established. In addition, comprehensive numerical simulations are performed to verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed schemes.