Innovative Meshless Methods for Multiphase Flows and Fluid–Structure Interaction Problems

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical Processes and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 1745

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. School of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
2. College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Interests: mesh-free methods; multi-scale and multiphase flows; multi-physics coupling analysis
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Guest Editor
College of Engineering and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Interests: advanced numericaal gorithms; smoothed particle hydrodynamics; simulation of fluid-solid-soil coupling process

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Guest Editor
School of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
Interests: computational mechanics; advanced meshfree methods; life prediction of mechanical equipment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Meshless methods have gained significant attention due to their unique advantages in handling complex fluid dynamics problems, particularly those involving free surfaces, multiphase interfaces, and fluid–structure interactions. Among these methods, Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) stands out as a powerful Lagrangian, mesh-free numerical technique that has been widely applied across various fields.

This Special Issue on "Innovative Meshless Approaches for Multiphase Flows and Fluid–Structure Interaction Problems" aims to highlight the latest advances and applications of meshless methods in addressing these challenging problems. The Special Issue will cover recent developments in the fundamental theory of SPH and other meshless methods, focusing on their applications in multiphase flows, fluid–structure coupling, non-Newtonian fluids, and other related fields. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Applications of SPH in complex fluid flow problems.
  • Advances in SPH and other mesh-free methods.
  • Coupling of SPH with other methods, e.g., coupling SPH with other numerical methods, such as the discrete element method (DEM), finite element method (FEM), and material point method (MPM), has shown promise in solving complex flow problems. These coupled approaches leverage the strengths of different methods to provide more robust solutions for fluid–structure interactions.
  • Applications in emerging fields, e.g., additive manufacturing, geomechanics, soft materials, and nano-scale machining.
  • Future directions: the Special Issue will also explore future research directions, such as the integration of machine learning techniques with SPH to further enhance computational efficiency and accuracy.

We invite researchers from academia and industry to submit their latest findings and innovative approaches in this Special Issue, contributing to the ongoing advancements in meshless methods for multiphase flows and fluid–structure interaction problems.

Dr. Xiangwei Dong
Dr. Man Hu
Dr. Long Feng
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • numerical simulation
  • fluid mechanics
  • smoothed particle hydrodynamics
  • multiphase flow
  • non-Newtonian
  • fluid–structure interaction
  • mesh-free method
  • non-isothermal flow
  • visco-elastic fluid
  • heat transfer process

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

34 pages, 14375 KB  
Article
Multiphase SPH Framework for Oil–Water–Gas Bubbly Flows: Validation, Application, and Extension
by Limei Sun, Yang Liu, Xiujuan Zhu, Yang Wang, Qingzhen Li and Zengliang Li
Processes 2025, 13(12), 3922; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13123922 - 4 Dec 2025
Viewed by 209
Abstract
Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPHs) is a Lagrangian meshless method with distinct strengths in managing unstable and complex interface behaviors. This study develops an integrated multiphase SPH framework by merging multiple algorithms and techniques to enhance stability and accuracy. The multiphase model is validated [...] Read more.
Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPHs) is a Lagrangian meshless method with distinct strengths in managing unstable and complex interface behaviors. This study develops an integrated multiphase SPH framework by merging multiple algorithms and techniques to enhance stability and accuracy. The multiphase model is validated by several benchmark examples, including square droplet deformation, single bubble rising, and two bubbles rising. The selection of numerical parameters for multiphase simulations is also discussed. The validated model is then applied to simulate oil–water–gas bubbly flows. Interface behaviors, such as coalescence, fragmentation, deformation, etc., are reproduced, which helps to take into account multiphysics interactions in industrial processes. The rising processes of many oil droplets for oil–water separation are first simulated, showing the advantages and stability of the SPH model in dealing with complex interface behaviors. To fully explore the potential of the model, the model is further extended to the field of wax removal. The melting process of the wax layer due to heat conduction is simulated by coupling the thermodynamic model and the phase change model. Interesting behaviors such as wax layer cracking, droplet detachment, and thermally driven flow instabilities are captured, providing insights into wax deposition mitigation strategies. This study provides an effective numerical model for bubbly flows in petroleum engineering and lays a research foundation for extending the application of the SPH method in other engineering fields, such as multiphase reactor design and environmental fluid dynamics. Full article
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23 pages, 17020 KB  
Article
An Unresolved SPH-DEM Coupling Framework for Bubble–Particle Interactions in Dense Multiphase Systems
by Ying Tian, Guanhua An, Xiangwei Dong, Rui Chen, Zhen Guo, Xuhe Zheng and Qiang Zhang
Processes 2025, 13(5), 1291; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13051291 - 23 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1222
Abstract
This study presents a novel unresolved SPH-DEM coupling framework to investigate the complex interactions between rising gas bubbles and sinking solid particles in multiphase systems. Traditional numerical methods often struggle with large deformations, multiphase interfaces, and computational efficiency when simulating dense particle-laden flows. [...] Read more.
This study presents a novel unresolved SPH-DEM coupling framework to investigate the complex interactions between rising gas bubbles and sinking solid particles in multiphase systems. Traditional numerical methods often struggle with large deformations, multiphase interfaces, and computational efficiency when simulating dense particle-laden flows. To address these challenges, the proposed model leverages SPH’s Lagrangian nature to resolve fluid motion and bubble dynamics, while the DEM captures particle–particle and particle–bubble interactions. An unresolved coupling strategy is introduced to bridge the scales between fluid and particle phases, enabling efficient simulations of large-scale systems with discrete bubbles/particles. The model is validated against benchmark cases, including single bubbles rising and single particle’s sedimentation. Simulation studies reveal the effects of particle/bubble number and initial distance on phase interaction patterns and clustering behaviors. Results further illustrate the model’s capability to capture complex phenomena such as particle entrainment by bubble wakes and hindered settling in dense suspensions. The framework offers a robust and efficient tool for optimizing industrial processes like mineral flotation, where bubble–particle dynamics play a critical role. Full article
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