In this paper, a diffuse-interface lattice Boltzmann method (DI-LBM) is developed for fluid-particle interaction problems. In this method, the sharp interface between the fluid and solid is replaced by a thin but nonzero thickness transition region named diffuse interface, where the physical variables varies continuously. In order to describe the diffuse interface, we introduce a smooth function, which is similar to the order parameter in phase-field model or the volume fraction of solid phase in the partially saturated lattice Boltzmann method (PS-LBM). In addition, to depict the fluid-particle interaction more accurately, a modified force term is also proposed and included in the evolution equation of the DI-LBM. Some classical problems are used to test the DI-LBM, and the results are in good agreement with some available theoretical and numerical works. Finally, it is also found that the DI-LBM is more efficient and accurate than the PS-LBM with the superposition model.
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