Preconditioning applied to variable and constant density flows

A time-derivative preconditioning of the Navier-Stokes equations, suitable for both variable and constant density fluids, is developed. The ideas of low-Mach-number preconditioning and artificial compressibility are combined into a unified approach designed to enhance convergence rates of density-based, time-marching schemes for solving flows of incompressible and variable density fluids at all speeds. The preconditioning is coupled with a dual time-stepping scheme implemented within an explicit, multistage algorithm for solving time-accurate flows. The resultant time integration scheme is used in conjunction with a finite volume discretization designed for unstructured, solution-adaptive mesh topologies. This method is shown to provide accurate steady-state solutions for transonic and low-speed flow of variable density fluids. The time-accurate solution of unsteady, incompressible flow is also demonstrated.