Computational fluid-dynamic modeling of the mono-dispersed homogeneous flow regime in bubble columns

Abstract

Two-phase bubble columns are equipment used to bring one or several gases into contact with a liquid phase. Despite the simple system design, bubble columns are characterized by complex fluid dynamic phenomena at different scales; for this reason, their correct design, operation and scale-up rely on the precise estimation of global and local fluid dynamics properties. In this respect, multi-phase Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), in the Eulerian multi-fluid framework, is particularly useful to study the fluid dynamics in multi-phase reactors. Within this approach, the accurate prediction of the fluid dynamics depends on the correct modeling of (a) the momentum exchange between the phases, (b) the effects of the dispersed phase on the turbulence of the continuous phase, and (c) the bubble coalescence and break-up phenomena. Furthermore, the global and the local fluid dynamic properties are related to the prevailing flow regime, i.e., the homogeneous flow regime and the heterogeneous flow regime. This paper mainly focuses on the homogeneous flow regime, which can be classified as “pseudo-homogeneous” or “mono-dispersed homogeneous”, depending on the prevailing bubble size distribution. The numerical modeling of the “pseudo-homogeneous” flow regime has been discussed in our previous papers (i.e., modeling closures and suitable boundary conditions); conversely, this paper contributes to the existing discussion on the modeling closures by investigating the “mono-dispersed homogeneous” flow regime in “small-scale” and “large-scale” bubble columns. To this end, two test cases have been considered: (a) a “small-scale” bubble column (a test case taken from the previous literature); (b) a large-scale bubble column (a test case experimentally studied within this paper by image analysis, optical probe and gas holdup techniques). In particular, this paper studies the effects of the interfacial forces and bubble induced turbulence modeling within the Eulerian two-fluid approach. Three-dimensional transient simulations have been performed and the numerical results were compared with experimental data (both local and global fluid dynamics parameters). The results have been critically analyzed and the reasons for the discrepancies between the numerical results and the experimental data have been identified and may serve as a basis for future studies. Likewise, recommendations on suitable closures as well as guidelines for future studies have been provided. In conclusion, this paper extends the validation of a previously proposed set of closure relations (validated for the “pseudo-homogeneous” flow regime in a “large-scale” annular gap bubble column) to the “mono-dispersed homogeneous” flow regime in “small-scale” and large-scale bubble columns.