CFD Simulation of Gas-Liquid Dynamic and Axial Liquid Velocity in Two Phase Cylindrical Bubble Column Reactors

In this research, we have attempted to validate a transient, three-dimensional dynamic Eulerian-Eulerian two-phase model for the modeling of bubble column hydrodynamics in the homogeneous flow regime. The turbulence in liquid phase is considered by k-ε model. Further numerical studies investigate the influence of additional turbulence production through the dispersed gas phase. The experimental data, which is taken from P.Spicka et al (2002) works literature that was obtained via particle image velocimetry, allow for the validation of the model simulation. The comparison between experimental data and CFD modeling focus on the local axial liquid velocity. The simulations are done using Fluent CFD software. Reasonably, good quantitative agreement is obtained between the experimental data and simulations profiles that will expect for the turbulent kinetic energy and the other variables profiles. Employing finer grids impr oves the description of the flow structure in the bubble column and the agreement with the experimental data. However, the computation power increases significantly and a compromise between efficiency and quality of results has to be found.

Keywords:

CFD , Bubble Column , Hydrodynamics , Two-phase model , Axial Liquid velocity , Turbulent Kinetic Energy