Two dimensional numerical simulations of a free-falling liquid gallium droplet in quiescent water

In this study a Lattice Boltzman (LBM) approach is used to simulate free falling drops of liquid metal Gallium into a quiescent water column. The numerical simulations aimed at reproducing experimental observations of the deformations of the Gallium drops and its solutions during the fall. The developed code is first tested against literature for rising bubbles, which showed good agreement. The previously performed experimental investigations allowed the study of a falling liquid Gallium into a column of water to validate the simulations. Parameters such as size of the droplets and viscosity ratios are investigated in the simulations. Deformation mechanisms are explored by studying the instantaneous velocity and pressure field around the drop. A comparison between the numerical simulations and the experimental data showed a good agreement.