Modelling of the hydrodynamics of bubble columns using a two-fluid model coupled with a population balance approach

Abstract

The simulation of bubble column reactors under industrial operating conditions is an exciting challenge. The main objective of this work is to predict the bubble size, in turn interconnected to the reactor hydrodynamic conditions, with computational models, by modelling bubble breakage and coalescence. Experimental data is collected for model validation, including bubble size measurements with an innovative cross-correlation technique. Experiments are carried out with tap water and demineralized water, with or without the addition of ethanol, and gathered results show that additives reduce coalescence and lower the mean bubble size. Two different spargers are used, in order to decouple the investigation of breakage and coalescence. The experimental data set is used to validate out unsteady three-dimensional Eulerian-Eulerian CFD simulations. A drag law for oblate bubbles is considered, together with a swarm factor, that accounts for the swarm effect. Several turbulence models are tested. The contribution of bubble induced turbulence (BIT) to scalar mixing is assessed. To predict bubble size, a population balance model is coupled to the hydrodynamic model and is solved with the quadrature method of moments. A set of breakage and coalescence kernels is proposed, capable of predicting the bubble size for different operating conditions. Scale-up effects are also investigated