CFD modeling of bubble columns flows: implementation of population balance

The Bubble Population Balance Equation is implemented both in the two-fluid model and in the Algebraic Slip Mixture Model. Two and three-dimensional numerical simulations of two-phase (air–water) and pseudo-two-phase (air–Therminol-Glass beads) transient flows are performed for laboratory scale bubb...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical engineering science 2004-11, Vol.59 (22), p.5201-5207
Main Authors: Chen, P., Sanyal, J., Dudukovic, M.P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Bubble columns
Chemical engineering
Computational fluid dynamics
Dynamic simulation
Exact sciences and technology
Modeling
Multiphase flow
Population balance
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Summary:The Bubble Population Balance Equation is implemented both in the two-fluid model and in the Algebraic Slip Mixture Model. Two and three-dimensional numerical simulations of two-phase (air–water) and pseudo-two-phase (air–Therminol-Glass beads) transient flows are performed for laboratory scale bubble columns of two different diameters operated over a range of superficial gas velocities (8 to 20 cm/s) in the churn turbulent regime. The ability of the simulations to predict liquid recirculation and gas radial holdup profile, which drives the recirculation, is illustrated. The simulations also capture the effects of increased superficial gas velocity and of surface tension on bubble size distribution in agreement with observations. At all conditions a uni-modal bubble size distribution is predicted.
ISSN:0009-2509
1873-4405
DOI:10.1016/j.ces.2004.07.037