A numerical study on bubble dynamics in sinusoidal channels

Abstract

In the present work, we investigate the dynamics of a bubble, rising inside a vertical sinusoidal wavy channel. We carry out a detailed numerical investigation using a dual grid level set method coupled with a finite volume based discretization of the Navier–Stokes equation. A detailed parametric investigation is carried out to identify the fate of the bubble as a function of Reynolds number, Bond number, and the amplitude of the channel wall and represented as a regime map. At a lower Reynolds number (high viscous force), we find negligible wobbling (path instability) in the dynamics of the bubble rise accompanied only with a change in shape of the bubble. However, at a higher Reynolds number, we observe an increase in the wobbling of the bubble due to the lowered viscous effects. Conversely, at a lower Bond number, we predict a stable rise of the bubble due to higher surface tension force. However, with a gradual increase in the Bond number, we predict a periodic oscillation which further tends to instigate the instability in the dynamics. With a further increase in the Bond number, a significant reduction in instability is found unlike a higher Reynolds number with only change in the shape of the bubble. At lower values of Reynolds numbers, Bond numbers, and channel wall amplitudes, the instability is discernible; however, with an increase in the channel wall amplitude, the bubble retains integrity due to higher surface tension force. At a higher Bond number and channel wall amplitude, a multiple breakup in the form of secondary bubbles is observed. We propose a correlation which manifests the average bubble rise velocity and the fluctuating velocity (due to channel waviness) as a function of Reynolds number, Bond number, and channel wall amplitude. Finally, we conclude that the bubble dynamics pertinent to the offset channels with varying amplitudes does not remain the same as that of the symmetric channel.