Domain Growth in Ternary Fluids: A Level Set Approach

We analyze phase separation in ternary systems in the asymptotic hydrodynamic regime when the volume fractions and concentrations are constant. The multiphase Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a level set method. A new projection method was developed to treat multiple junctions for systems with more than two phases. It is found that surface tension ratios can alter the growth mechanism of a minority phase in the presence of two majority phases. When the minority phase wets the interface of the majority phases the domain growth rate of all three phases is initially similar to that of a symmetric binary fluid but slows down at later times.