Experiments and CFD simulation of mass transfer and hydrodynamics in a cylindrical bubble column

• Published in: Chemical engineering science 2021-04, Vol.234 (C), p.116435, Article 116435
• Main Authors: Chen, Jiaqi, Brooks, Caleb S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bubble Column; CFD; Mass transfer; PIV; Visualization
• ISSN: 0009-2509; 1873-4405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2020.116435

•Visualization, PIV and dissolved oxygen experiments carried out in a bubble column.•Validation of Eulerian two-fluid model with mass transfer.•Comparisons between penetration model, surface renewal model and analogy method.•Void fraction profile obtained with flow visualization. Flow visualization, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and dissolved oxygen charging experiments are carried out in a small-scale cylindrical air-water bubble column at different superficial gas velocities. Void fraction profile, total gas holdup, liquid phase velocity field and volumetric mass transfer coefficient are obtained. Details of each experiment are given, with a new procedure for obtaining a 2D void fraction profile from flow visualization by image processing and time averaging which could provide useful information for CFD model validation. The experimental results are analyzed and compared with simulations where good agreement is found for both local and global flow patterns. The averaged governing equations and constitutive relations used in the simulation are discussed briefly, with emphasis on the proper comparison between simulations and experiments based on the derivation of the two-fluid model. By conducting three sets of experiments related to phase distribution, velocity field and mass transfer in the same apparatus, a validated CFD model for multiphase mass transfer is established and can be used in the future design of a multi-phase reactor.