Simulations of Gas Distributors in the Design of Shallow Bubble Column Reactors

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to simulate the effect of sparger construction in gas holdup and liquid axial velocity in a shallow bubble column reactor for the air‐water system. Model parameters were evaluated in 2‐ and 3‐D simulations by using a two‐fluid model and the standard k‐? turbulence model. The Eulerian‐Eulerian approach was employed to predict the height of column that is affected by the sparger. It was found that increasing the number of orifices in the sparger increases the total gas holdup. Moreover, each orifice causes an increase in the circulation and mixing of liquid in the column. The results of the simulations follow the trends observed in the findings of Dhotre and Joshi [1].     

Hydrodynamics and simulation of air–water homogeneous bubble column under elevated pressure

A gas–liquid Eulerian computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model coupled with a population balance equation (PBE) was presented to investigate hydrodynamics of an air–water bubble column (1.8 m in height and 0.1 m in inner diameter) under elevated pressure in terms of pressure drop, gas holdup, mean bubble size, and bubble surface area. The CFD-PBE model was modified with three pressure correction factors to predict both the total gas holdup and the mean bubble size in the homogeneous bubbly flow regime. The three correction factors were optimized compared to experimental data. Increasing the pressure led to increasing the density, reducing the bubble size, and increasing the gas holdup. The bubble size distribution moved toward a smaller bubble size, as the pressure increased. The modified CFD-PBE model validated with experimental data and empirical models represented well hydrodynamics of the bubble column at P = 0.1, 1.5, and 3.5 MPa.     

Bubble size modeling approach for the simulation of bubble columns

The constant bubble size modeling approach (CBSM) and variable bubble size modeling approach (VBSM) are frequently employed in Eulerian–Eulerian simulation of bubble columns. However, the accuracy of CBSM is limited while the computational efficiency of VBSM needs to be improved. This work aims to develop method for bubble size modeling which has high computational efficiency and accuracy in the simulation of bubble columns. The distribution of bubble sizes is represented by a series of discrete points, and the percentage of bubbles with various sizes at gas inlet is determined by the results of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)–population balance model (PBM) simulations, whereas the influence of bubble coalescence and breakup is neglected. The simulated results of a 0.15 m diameter bubble column suggest that the developed method has high computational speed and can achieve similar accuracy as CFD–PBM modeling. Furthermore, the convergence issues caused by solving population balance equations are addressed.     

曳力模型对模拟鼓泡塔气含率的影响

引言 鼓泡塔由于其良好的传热、传质特性而被广泛用于化工、生物制药、冶金等领域.近年来,计算流体力学(CFD)越来越多地被应用于研究鼓泡塔内部复杂的流体力学状态.然而,如何合理地描述气液相间作用及湍流模型是CFD模拟能够准确复现鼓泡塔内复杂流动状态的关键和难点.     

Prediction of gas density effects on bubbly flow hydrodynamics: New insights through an approach combining population balance models and computational fluid dynamics

Detailed measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) investigation of the hydrodynamics in a bubble column containing internal features causing flow disturbances are presented for both air and helium gases. An optical needle probe has been used to measure profiles of bubble size, bubble velocity, and gas holdup at different locations across the cross section of the column. An approach combining CFD with population balances is able to represent observed multiphase flow phenomena such as the effect of the pipes to remix and redistribute the gas as well as the tendency of the gas to channel through a slit in the pipes rather than go around the pipes. The comparison of CFD simulation to experimental measurements reveal that the overall decrease in gas holdup observed when switching from air to helium gas can be explained by swarm effects, whereas the steeper decrease in the gas holdup profile across the column is due to coalescence effects. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3764–3774, 2018     

逆流鼓泡塔气含率分布的试验测量与CFD模拟

利用热膜测速仪测得了气液逆流鼓泡塔内不同表观气速、表观液速和径向位置下的气液信号,采用改进的阈值法进行分析,得到塔内气含率的径向分布。结果表明气含率在各个截面上都是从塔中心到塔壁逐渐减小;同时利用计算流体力学方法对气液逆流的鼓泡塔内的气液两相流动进行了模拟,计算了不同气速和不同液速下的气含率,计算结果与试验数据吻合较好。     

Local hydrodynamics of gas–liquid-nanoparticles three-phase fluidization

The laser Doppler anemometer (LDA) and conductivity probes were used for measuring the local hydrodynamic performances such as gas holdup and liquid velocity in a lab-scale gas–liquid–TiO₂ nanoparticles three-phase bubble column. Effects of operating parameters on the local gas holdup and liquid velocity were investigated systematically. Experimental results showed that local averaged axial liquid velocity and local averaged gas holdup increased with increasing superficial gas velocity but decreased with increasing TiO₂ nanoparticles loading and the axial distance from the bottom of the bubble column. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model was developed in this paper to simulate the structure of gas–liquid–TiO₂ nanoparticles three-phase flow in the bubble column. The time-averaged and time-dependent predictions were compared with experimental data for model validation. A successful prediction of instantaneous local gas holdup, gas velocity, and liquid velocity were also presented.     

Numerical Simulation of Absorbing CO2 with Ionic Liquids

Although separating CO₂ from flue gas with ionic liquids has been regarded as a new and effective method, the mass transfer properties of CO₂ absorption in these solvents have not been researched. In this paper, a coupled computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model and population balance model (PBM) was applied to study the mass transfer properties for capturing CO₂ with ionic liquids solvents. The numerical simulation was performed using the Fluent code. Considering the unique properties of ionic liquids, the Eulerian‐Eulerian two‐flow model with a new drag coefficient correlation was employed for the gas‐liquid fluid dynamic simulation. The gas holdup, interfacial area, and bubble size distribution in the bubble column reactor were predicted. The mass transfer coefficients were estimated with Higbie's penetration model. Furthermore, the velocity field and pressure field in the reactor were also predicted in this paper.     

加温加压下CFD-PBM耦合模型空气-水两相流数值模拟研究

计算流体力学与群体平衡模型（CFD-PBM）结合可有效地模拟鼓泡塔内流体行为,较准确地预测流场、相含率以及局部气泡尺寸分布。以直径100 mm、高1.3 m的加温加压鼓泡塔为模拟对象,在系统压力为1 MPa、表观气速为0.08~0.24 m/s、温度为30~160℃条件下系统地考察了空气-水体系的表观气速、温度以及固含率对平均气含率、大小气泡气含率、气泡直径和气泡尺寸分布等参数的影响。结果表明,平均气含率的模拟结果和实验值在10%的误差范围内吻合较好;温度的变化主要影响了塔内气泡的聚并和破碎,并用聚并破碎的机理解释了温度对其流体行为的影响。     

筛板结构对多级鼓泡塔中流体力学参数的影响

在外径0.3 m的多级鼓泡塔中采用双探针电导探头考察了筛板结构对鼓泡塔中筛板上下两处流体力学参数的影响,并与无筛板鼓泡塔中流体力学参数进行了对比。研究结果表明:带筛板的鼓泡塔中气含率径向分布规律和无筛板的鼓泡塔相类似,筛板上下二侧的平均气含率随表观气速的增加而增加;在鼓泡塔轴向位置上,筛板下侧的气含率普遍比筛板上侧气含率要高;筛板的孔分布方式对于气含率径向分布有着一定影响,但孔径大小对此影响较小。     

Dynamics of gas–liquid flow in a rectangular bubble column: experiments and single/multi-group CFD simulations

Several flow processes influence overall dynamics of gas–liquid flow and hence mixing and transport processes in bubble columns. In the present work, we have experimentally as well as computationally studied the effect of gas velocity, sparger design and coalescence suppressing additives on dynamics of gas–liquid flow in a rectangular bubble column. Wall pressure fluctuations were measured to characterize the low frequency oscillations of the meandering bubble plume. Bubble size distribution measurements were carried out using high-speed digital camera. Dispersed gas–liquid flow in bubble column was modelled using Eulerian–Eulerian approach. Bubble population was represented in the model with a single group or multiple groups. Bubble coalescence and break-up processes were included in the multi-group simulations via a suitable population balance framework. Effect of superficial gas velocity and sparger configurations was studied using single-group simulations. Model predictions were verified by comparison with the experimental data. Role of bubble size in determining plume oscillation period was studied. Multi-group simulations were carried out to examine evolution of bubble size distribution. An attempt is made to understand the relationship between local and global (over all the dispersion volume) bubble size distribution. The models and results reported here would be useful to develop and to extend the applications of multi-group CFD models.     

Experimental and numerical investigations of scale-up effects on the hydrodynamics of slurry bubble columns

Experiments and simulations were conducted for bubble columns with diameter of 0.2 m(180 mm i.d.), 0.5 m(476 mm i.d.) and 0.8 m(760 mm i.d.) at high superficial gas velocities(0.12–0.62 m·s-1) and high solid concentrations(0–30 vol%). Radial profiles of time-averaged gas holdup, axial liquid velocity, and turbulent kinetic energy were measured by using in-house developed conductivity probes and Pavlov tubes. Effects of column diameter, superficial gas velocity, and solid concentration were investigated in a wide range of operating conditions. Experimental results indicated that the average gas holdup remarkably increases with superficial gas velocity, and the radial profiles of investigated flow properties become steeper at high superficial gas velocities. The axial liquid velocities significantly increase with the growth of the column size, whereas the gas holdup was slightly affected. The presence of solid in bubble columns would inhibit the breakage of bubbles, which results in an increase in bubble rise velocity and a decrease in gas holdup, but time-averaged axial liquid velocities remain almost the same as that of the hollow column. Furthermore, a 2-D axisymmetric k–ε model was used to simulate heterogeneous bubbly flow using commercial code FLUENT 6.2. The lateral lift force and the turbulent diffusion force were introduced for the determination of gas holdup profiles and the effects of solid concentration were considered as the variation of average bubble diameter in the model. Results predicted by the CFD simulation showed good agreement with experimental data.     

表观气速对气升式环流反应器性能的影响

利用计算流体力学(CFD)数值模拟方法.采用Euler法双流体模型研究了表观气速对气液两相气升式环流反应器的液体循环速率和气含率的影响.实验结果与数值模拟结果吻合较好.结果表明.气含率和液体速率在反应器内分布不均匀,气含率在相同的径向位置变化很小,液体速率随着表观气速的增加而增加.     

Measurements and numerical predictions of gas vortices formed by single bubble eruptions in the freeboard of a fluidised bed

Gas vortices generated in the freeboard of a bubbling fluidised bed have become the centre of increasingly more research due to the advances in experimental technology. The behaviour of gas flow in the freeboard of a bubbling fluidised bed is of interest for applications such as the gasification of coal where reactions of gas mixtures, as well as gas–particle heat and mass transfer take place. Knowledge of the hydrodynamics of the gas within the freeboard can be hard to characterise, especially the detailed behaviour of gases escaping from bubbles that erupt at the bed surface. In the present study, experiments were conducted on a rectangular three-dimensional gas–solid fluidised bed. The experiments used a particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) measurement technique to visualise and measure the gas flow within the freeboard after a single bubble eruption. A computational study was carried out using Eulerian–Eulerian, kinetic theory of granular flow approach with a quasi-static flow model and with LES used to account for gas turbulence. Results from a three dimensional simulation of the experimental fluidised bed were compared with experimental velocity profiles of gas flow in the freeboard of the gas–solid fluidised bed after a bubble eruption. The CFD simulations showed a qualitative agreement with the formation of the gas vortices as the bubble erupted. Consistent with experimental findings the CFD simulations showed the generation of a pair of vortices. However, the simulations were unable to demonstrate downward flow at the centre of the freeboard due to particles in free fall after a bubble eruption event was observed in the experiments. Velocity profiles from the CFD data are in reasonably good agreement with the characteristic trends observed in the experiments, whereas the CFD model was able to predict the gas vortices phenomena and the velocity magnitudes were over-predicted.     

Model validation for low and high superficial gas velocity bubble column flows

In the present work, gas-liquid flow dynamics in a bubble column are simulated with CFDLib using an Eulerian-Eulerian ensemble-averaging method in a two-dimensional Cartesian system. The two-phase flow simulations are compared to experimental measurements of a rectangular bubble column performed by Mudde et al. [1997. Role of coherent structures on Reynolds stresses in a 2-D bubble column. A.I.Ch.E. Journal 43, 913-926] and a cylindrical bubble column performed by Rampure et al. [2003. Modeling of gas-liquid/gas-liquid-solid flows in bubble columns: experiments and CFD simulations. The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering 81, 692-706] for low and high superficial gas velocities, respectively. The objectives are to obtain grid-independent numerical solutions using CFDLib to reconcile unphysical results observed using FLUENT with increasing grid resolutions [Law, D., Battaglia, F., Heindel, T.J., 2006. Numerical simulations of gas-liquid flow dynamics in bubble columns. In: Proceedings of the ASME Fluids Engineering Division, IMECE2006-13544, Chicago, IL], and to validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with experimental data to demonstrate the use of numerical simulations as a viable design tool for gas-liquid bubble column flows. Numerical predictions are presented for the local time-averaged liquid velocity and gas fraction at various axial heights as a function of horizontal or radial position. The effects of grid resolution, bubble pressure (BP) model, and drag coefficient models on the numerical predictions are examined. The BP model is hypothesized to account for bubble stability, thus providing physical solutions.     

加压气液鼓泡塔的CFD数值模拟与ERT实验验证

在内径0.3 m,高6.6 m的加压鼓泡塔内,采用计算流体力学(CFD)数值模拟与气泡群平衡模型(PBM)耦合法进行塔内流体力学模拟,并将数值模拟结果与基于电阻层析成像技术(ERT)的实验结果对比分析,将通过ERT实时采集的横截面气含率分布和时间序列图与模拟结果进行比较。结果表明:ERT技术测量结果与CFD计算结果吻合良好,能很好地表示鼓泡塔内气液流动状态,进一步表明ERT技术对加压鼓泡塔内气液两相流进行可视化与实时测量是可行的。     

CFD Modeling of Bubble Column Reactor Including the Influence of Gas Contraction

In this paper a CFD model for a bubble column reactor undergoing a first order reaction A → B is developed. The reactor operates in the homogeneous bubbly regime and has a diameter D_T = 1 m and height H_T = 5 m. The incoming gas stream contains inerts, varying in proportion from 10 % to 90 %. Three‐dimensional transient Eulerian simulations were carried out for an inlet superficial gas velocity U_G = 0.04 m/s. Due to the consumption of A, the gas phase suffers contraction along the height of the reactor and as a consequence there is a significant change in the gas velocity along the column height; this variation in gas velocity is stronger when the incoming gas contains a smaller proportion of inerts. The CFD simulations show that there is a considerable influence of gas contraction on both the bubble column hydrodynamics and on the reactor conversion. None of the conventionally used reactor models is capable of describing the reactor performance in the case of high gas phase contraction.