Explicit finite-difference lattice Boltzmann method for curvilinear coordinates

In this paper a finite-difference-based lattice Boltzmann method for curvilinear coordinates is proposed in order to improve the computational efficiency and numerical stability of a recent method [R. Mei and W. Shyy, J. Comput. Phys. 143, 426 (1998)] in which the collision term of the Boltzmann Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook equation for discrete velocities is treated implicitly. In the present method, the implicitness of the numerical scheme is removed by introducing a distribution function different from that being used currently. As a result, an explicit finite-difference lattice Boltzmann method for curvilinear coordinates is obtained. The scheme is applied to a two-dimensional Poiseuille flow, an unsteady Couette flow, a lid-driven cavity flow, and a steady flow around a circular cylinder. The numerical results are in good agreement with the results of previous studies. Extensions to other lattice Boltzmann models based on nonuniform meshes are also discussed.