Abstract
Based on low-cost and easy to enlarge, the bubble column device has been widely concerned in chemical industry. This paper focuses on bubble plumes in laboratory-scale three-dimensional rectangular air-water columns. Static behavior has been investigated in many experiments and simulations, and our present investigations consider the dynamic behavior of bubble plume offset in three dimensions. The investigations are conducted with a set of closure models by the Euler–Euler approach, and subsequently, literature data for rectangular bubble columns are analyzed for comparison purposes. Moreover, the transient evolution characteristics of the bubble plume in the bubble column and the gas phase distribution in sections are introduced, and the offset characteristics and the oscillation period of the plume are analyzed. In addition, the distributions of the vector diagram of velocity and vortex intensity in the domain are given. The effects of different fluxes and column aspect ratios on bubble plumes are studied, and the offset and plume oscillation period (POP) characteristics of bubbles are examined. The investigations reveal quantitative correlations of operating conditions (gas volume flux) and aspect ratios that have not been reported so far, and the simulated and experimental POP results agree well. An interesting phenomenon is that POP does not occur under conditions of a high flux and aspect ratio, and the corresponding prediction values for the conditions with and without POP are given as well. The results reported in this paper may open up a new way for further study of the mass transfer of bubble plumes and development of chemical equipment.
Highlights
The bubble column is widely used in the chemical industry [1,2]
By sorting out a lot of previous research work, we found that more attention has been paid to the oscillation period of a bubble plume, and few studies focus on the offset characteristics of the bubble behavior
We use numerical simulation method to study the offset characteristics of a bubble plume in a bubble column, in which momentum exchange induced by gas–liquid interaction leads to bubble offset
Summary
The bubble column is widely used in the chemical industry [1,2]. It is a typical gas–liquid two-phase flow system [3]. The water phase exists as a continuous phase, and the air phase as a discrete phase rises from the reactor in the form of bubbles [4]. Bubbles are easy to observe and much attention has been paid to instrument measurement. Discrete elements, have always been a hot and challenging topic in both experiments and simulations [5]. Difficulties in bubble columns stem from the fact that the disperse phase is characterized by a complex behavior [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
