Geometry and Motion Characteristics of Bubbles Released in Liquid Cross Flow

Abstract

To investigate the characteristics of the bubbles trapped in liquid cross flow, air was injected into flowing water circulated in a closed loop. High speed photography was used to record bubble images instantaneously. An image-processing code was specifically developed to identify bubbles in the images and to calculate bubble parameters. Effects of the water velocity and the flow rate of the injected air on bubble patterns were investigated. The results indicate that the inclination of bubble trajectory relative to the nozzle axis is enhanced as the water velocity rises. Meanwhile, bubble size varies inversely with the water velocity. The bubble profile tends to be rounded as the water velocity increases. Fluctuations of the bubble velocity are intensified as the water velocity decreases. As the balance between the external forces exerted on the bubble is reached, an approximately linear relationship between the velocities of the bubble and the water is manifested. For a given equivalent bubble diameter, the bubble terminal velocity is higher than that associated with quiescent water. At small Eötvös number, the consistency of the bubble aspect ratio in the liquid flow and quiescent water is revealed. The range of Eötvös number is extended considerably due to the flowing water. Values of Weber number are accumulated in a range within which high bubble aspect ratio is associated with relatively high water velocity.