Faraday instability of binary miscible/immiscible fluids with phase field approach

The objective in the present paper is to study binary fluids with phase field modeling coupled with Navier-Stokes equations. An extended free energy is proposed to account for the continuous path from immiscible to miscible states. We consider fluid pairs that are immiscible for temperatures below the critical one (consolute temperature) and miscible above it. Our extended phase field equation permits us to move from the immiscible state (governed by the Cahn-Hilliard equation) to the miscible state (defined by the species diffusion equation). The scaling of interface tension and interface width with the distance to the critical point is highlighted. The whole system is mechanically excited showing Faraday instability of a flat interface. A linear stability analysis is performed for the stable case (interface waves) as well as for the unstable Faraday one. For the latter, a Floquet analysis shows the well-known Arnold's tongues as a function of the consolute temperature and depth layer. Moreover, two-dimensional finite difference simulations have been performed allowing us to model nonlinear flow patterns both in miscible and immiscible phases. Linear theory and nonlinear simulations show interesting results such as the diminishing of the wavelength of Faraday waves or a shift of the critical vibration amplitude when the consolute temperature is approached.