Numerical analysis of plume characteristics and liquid circulation in gas injection through a porous plug

Abstract

Two phase flows have been numerically calculated to analyze plume characteristics and liquid circulation in gas injection through a porous plug. The Eulerian approach has been used for formulation of both the continuous and dispersed phases. The turbulence in the liquid phase has been modeled using the standardk−ɛ turbulence model. The interphase friction coefficient has been calculated using correlations available in the literature. The turbulent dispersion of the phases has been modeled by the “dispersion Prandtl number”. The predicted mean flows is compared well with the experimental data. The plume region area and the axial velocities are increased with the gas flow rate and with the decrease in the inlet area. The turbulent intensity also shows the same trend. Also, the space-averaged turbulent kinetic energy for various gas flow rates and inlet areas has been obtained. The results are of interest in the design and operation of a wide variety of materials and chemical processing operations.