Local gas–liquid slip velocity distribution in bubble columns and its relationship with heat transfer

Abstract

AbstractThe knowledge of the local gas–liquid slip velocity distribution can offer a better understanding for the complex transport phenomena in bubble columns. In this work, CFD–PBM simulations are carried out to investigate the effect of superficial gas velocities, axial positions, and scale of bubble columns on the time‐averaged radial profiles of gas–liquid slip velocities. Furthermore, the relationship between local slip velocities and local heat transfer coefficients in pilot‐scale bubble columns at superficial gas velocities of 0.05 m/s, 0.20 m/s, and 0.35 m/s is studied. The results indicate that the slip velocities decrease with the increase of r/R (r‐radial position, R‐column radius), while increase with increasing superficial gas velocities in general. In the fully developed region, the axial positions have small impact on the local slip velocities. A strong linear relation between heat transfer coefficients and slip velocities in the fully flow developed region is observed.