Numerical simulation of Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities in non-Newtonian fluids at positive and negative Atwood numbers

The development of Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities in non-Newtonian fluids is studied using numerical simulations. These simulations are conducted using the open-source CFD code BlastFoam, which we have further developed to capture shear-thinning flows. This study reveals the influence of non-Newtonian effects on the characteristics of Richtmyer-Meshkov instability-driven structures and, in turn, the influence of these structures on the mixing process. This work is conducted with positive and negative Atwood numbers at low to high Mach numbers. Liquid deuterium and melted polymer are used and treated as Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, respectively. The results are compared with simulation cases where both fluids are treated as Newtonian fluids. This research aims to highlight a correlation between non-Newtonian viscosity and energy distribution at conditions relevant to planar shock-induced, inertially-confined nuclear fusion experiments.