Development and evaluation of a micro-macro algorithm for the simulation of polymer flow (Q2495764)

The micro-macro flow model combines the usual continuum approach based on the classical equations \[ \nabla\cdot u=0, \qquad \rho [\dfrac{\partial u}{\partial t}+(u\cdot \nabla)u]=-\nabla p+\nabla\cdot \tau \] with other equations describing the evolution of macromolecules, ultimately providing the expression of the stress tensor {\(\pmb\tau\)}. More precisely {\(\pmb\tau\)} is decomposed into the sum of a term {\(\pmb\tau_S\)} associated to the solvent and a term {\(\pmb\tau_p\)} associated to the polymer. The latter term is identified with the expectation value following a dynamics in which both network and reptation behaviors come into play, assigning some distribution function for the lifetime of the configuration vectors associated to each of such regimes. Numerical results are obtained and discussed. Comparison with available experimental data shows satisfactory agreement.