Analysis of Thin Film Flows Using a Flux Vector Splitting1

Abstract

We propose a flux vector splitting (FVS) for the solution of film flows radially spreading on a flat surface created by an impinging jet using the shallow-water approximation. The governing equations along with the boundary conditions are transformed from the physical to the computational domain and solved in a rectangular grid. A first-order upwind finite difference scheme is used at the point of the shock while a second-order upwind differentiation is applied elsewhere. Higher-order spatial accuracy is achieved by introducing a MUSCL approach. Three thin film flow problems (1) one-dimensional dam break problem, (2) radial flow without jump, and (3) radial flow with jump, are investigated with emphasis in the prediction of hydraulic jumps. Results demonstrate that the method is useful and accurate in solving the shallow water equations for several flow conditions.