On the second-order moment turbulence model for simulating a bubble column

Two versions of the second-order moment two-phase turbulence model are proposed in this study for simulating bubble-liquid two-phase turbulent velocity fluctuations and their interactions in bubble-liquid flows under the dispersed bubble regime. One of them is a full transport equation model; the other is an algebraic stresses model. The proposed model is used to simulate liquid and gas mean velocities, gas volume fraction, liquid and gas Reynolds stresses and turbulent kinetic energy in a 2-D bubble column. Furthermore, the bubble and liquid velocities, Reynolds stresses and gas volume fraction are measured using the PIV. The simulation results are in good agreement with the PIV results and experimental data in the literature. The studies reveal the liquid recirculation and bubble up-rising flow patterns, and anisotropic liquid and bubble normal Reynolds stresses. Bubble fluctuation is observed to be stronger than liquid fluctuation. Moreover, both the liquid velocity gradient and bubble-liquid interaction are important for the generation of liquid turbulence.