Bubble impingement in the presence of a solid particle: A computational study

• Published in: Computers & fluids 2018-07, Vol.170, p.349-356
• Main Authors: Sannino, Andrea, Esposito, Alessandro, Villone, Massimiliano M., Hulsen, Martien A., D’Avino, Gaetano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bubble growth; Bubbles; Coalescing; Computation; Computer simulation; Direct numerical simulations; Finite element method; Foam; Gases; Impingement; Newtonian liquids; Simulation; Soft matter; Solid particle; Solids
• ISSN: 0045-7930; 1879-0747
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compfluid.2018.05.009

•The impingement of two gas bubbles in a Newtonian liquid is studied numerically.•The presence of a solid spherical particle is considered.•The solid particle can be “captured” by the coalescing bubbles or “escape” them.•A parametric study is performed on the physical and geometrical conditions. In this work, we numerically investigate the dynamics of the growth and impingement of two gas bubbles in a Newtonian liquid in the presence of a rigid spherical particle. The computational analysis is carried out through 3D Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations. During their growth, as the bubbles start to ‘feel’ each other, they lose their spherical shape, with the side facing the other bubble becoming almost flat. In the liquid layer between the gas inclusions, an essentially biaxial extensional flow takes place. Depending on its initial position with respect to the bubbles, the solid particle can be ‘captured’ by the coalescing bubbles or ‘escape’ them. The effects of the physical and geometrical parameters of the system on such phenomenon are studied.