Two-dimensional lattice-Boltzmann simulations of single phase flow in a pseudo two-dimensional micromodel

We compare two-dimensional and three dimensional lattice-Boltzmann (LB) simulations of fluid flow in a pseudo-2D micromodel used in experimental work. We show that 2D LB simulations can be used to compute the average velocity field in 3D systems in which the third dimension is small compared with the other two dimensions, and where the velocity component along the third dimension is zero. Correct results are obtained provided a viscous drag force, representing the effect of the third dimension, is used in the 2D model. The use of 2D simulations allows to significantly reduce the computational cost of the calculations, and hence to increase the size and resolution of the systems that can be studied using the LB method.