Application of N-phase algebraic slip model and direct quadrature method of moments to the simulation of air-water flow in vertical risers and bubble column reactor

Abstract

In the present work the Direct Quadrature Method of Moments (DQMOM) has been implemented into the commercial CFD code TransAT. DQMOM has recently become a very attractive approach for solving population balance equation (PBE) due to its capability of representing the most interesting properties of the population, eg. Sauter mean diameter, void fraction, number of particles. The DQMOM technique was coupled with the turbulent N-phase Algebraic Slip Model (ASM) model in order to extend the model to handle dispersed phase populations such that each class has its own velocity field. The results compared to experimental data show that the developed numerical model accurately predicts void fraction profile in a long riser within a bubbly flow regime. Moreover the model is used for the simulation of bubble column, proving that it accurately predicts the gas hold up and the Sauter mean diameter.