Investigating the effect of pressure on a vertical two-phase upward flow with a high viscosity liquid

This article presents void fraction and pressure gradient data for sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) with gas densities of 28 and 45 kg/m³ and oil (with viscosity 35 times that for water) in a 127 mm diameter pipe. The superficial velocities of gas ranged from 0.1 to 3 m/s and those for liquid from 0.1 to 1 m/s, respectively. Measurements of void fraction data were recorded using a capacitance wire mesh sensor (WMS) system, which permits the 3D visualization of the flow patterns. All the data were obtained with a data acquisition frequency of 1,000 Hz. A differential pressure transducer was used to measure the pressure drops along the length of the pipe. The WMS provide time and cross-sectionally resolved data on void fraction and from an analysis of its output, flow patterns were identified using the characteristic signatures of probability density function (PDF) plot of time series of void fraction. The PDF plots showed the single peak shapes associated with bubbly and churn flows but not the twin-peaked shape usually seen in slug flows. This confirms previous work in larger diameter pipes but with less viscous liquids. For the bubble and churn flows investigated, the pressure gradient was observed to decrease with an increase in gas superficial velocity. Nevertheless, there was an insignificant observed effect of pressure on void fraction below certain transitional flow rates, the effect however became significant beyond these values. In the present work, wisps appear to be smaller, which might be due to the different fluid properties of the working fluids employed. In addition, wisps are easily revealed as long as there is a transition between churn and annular flows regardless of the pressure. Experimental data on void fraction and pressure gradient are compared against existing data. Reasonably good agreements were observed from the results of the comparison.     

垂直管内通气空泡掺气过程仿真分析简

A semi-empirical gas entrainment model was proposed for the ventilated cavity in vertical pipe, based on which, a complete numerical scheme was established by coupling with the Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model to predict the multiscale flow field created by ventilated cavity. Model predictions were validated against experimental measurements on void fraction and bubble size distributions. Simulations were carried out to explore the effect of ventilation rate and inlet turbulence intensity on the macroscale cavity shape and the bubbly flow downstream of the ventilated cavity. As the ventilation rate increasing, a reverse trend was observed for the void fraction and bub- ble size distributions. It is concluded that the average void fraction in the pipe flow region is determined by the volumetric ratio between liquid and gas. However, the bubble size evolution is dominated by the breakage effect induced by turbulence in the vortex region. Furthermore, simulations were conducted to analyze geometric scale effect based upon Froude similitude. The results imply that the velocity distributions were properly scaled. Slight scale effect was seen for the void fraction caused by faster dispersion of bubbles in the larger size model. The com- paratively greater bubble size was predicted in the smaller model, implying significant scale effects in terms of tur- bulence and surface tension effect. It reveals that empirical correlations valid in wide range are required for the ex- trapolation from small-size laboratory models.     

加热上升管内过冷流动沸腾数值模拟

采用计算流体动力学（CFD）程序CFX4.4对加热上升管内过冷流动沸腾工况下气水两相流动局部两相流参数（空泡份额和汽泡尺寸）进行了数值模拟。对数值差分方法、相关模型（界面力和气泡诱导的紊流）和汽泡尺寸进行了敏感性分析。空泡份额分布计算结果与实验结果比较表明,在低空泡份额工况下,两者符合较好,在高空泡份额工况下两者存在一定偏差,并且气相速度和汽泡尺寸的计算结果不理想。计算结果与实验结果之间的差异说明程序模型对于加热上升管内过冷流动沸腾模拟并不完善,建立更为合理的汽泡尺寸模型,考虑汽泡的合并和撕裂是必要的。     

液氮过冷沸腾空泡份额分布规律的研究

为了分析低温流体在过冷沸腾中的相分布特性,对液氮在竖直圆管内的过冷沸腾过程进行了CFD数值模拟。通过修正气泡参量模型和改变过程的操作参数,系统地分析了空泡份额在加热上升管内的分布情况。结果表明,气液相间的热质传递决定着空泡份额的分布,截面平均空泡份额沿轴向非线性递增,沿径向呈U形分布。轴向截面平均空泡份额随着热流密度的增大而增大,随着入口质量流率和过冷度的增大而减小。     

流体物性对壳侧不互溶双组分两相流动特性的影响

选用空气-水和空气-柴油2种不互溶双组分两相混合物物系,实验研究了液相物性对管壳式换热器壳侧两相流流型及其转变和两相流动特性的影响.研究表明,液相物性对间歇流向环状流的转变有显著影响,对于向泡状流转变的影响则不如在管内流动明显.研究还表明,液相物性特别是粘度和表面张力对截面含气率和两相摩擦压降有显著影响.     

流体物性对壳侧不互溶双组分两相流动特性的影响

选用空气-水和空气-柴油2种不互溶双组分两相混合物物系,实验研究了液相物性对管壳式换热器壳侧两相流流型及其转变和两相流动特性的影响.研究表明,液相物性对间歇流向环状流的转变有显著影响,对于向泡状流转变的影响则不如在管内流动明显.研究还表明,液相物性特别是粘度和表面张力对截面含气率和两相摩擦压降有显著影响.     

Void fraction in vertical gas-liquid slug flow: Influence of liquid slug content

In this study we develop a model for computing the mean void fraction and the liquid slug void fraction in vertical upward gas-liquid intermittent flow. A new model for the rate of gas entrained from the Taylor bubble to the liquid slug is formulated. It uses the work done by the pressure force at the rear of the Taylor bubble. Then an iterative approach is employed for equating the gas entrainment flux and the gas flux obtained via conservation equations. Model predictions are compared with experimental data. The developed iterative method is found to provide reasonable quantitative predictions of the entrainment flux and of the void fraction at low and moderate liquid slug void fraction conditions. However, with an increased liquid slug void fraction experimental data indicate that the flow in the liquid slug transits to churn-heterogeneous bubbly flow thus gas entrainment flux tends to zero. Considering this effect in the iterative model significantly improved the predictions for large liquid slug void fraction conditions.     

竖直环形通道内液氮流动沸腾的数值模拟

在多尺寸组模型的基础上,从加热壁面上脱离汽泡的受力分析人手,对液氮过冷流动沸腾模型进行了修正.将新模型应用于环形通道内液氮过冷流动沸腾的数值模拟,同时为了比较,采用基于Kirichenko,Fritz汽泡脱离直径公式的多尺寸组模型对同一管道内液氮过冷流动进行了数值模拟.结果表明:结合脱离汽泡受力分析模型的多尺寸组模型可...     

Influence of impeller diameter on local gas dispersion properties in a sparged multi-impeller stirred tank☆

Vertical distributions of local void fraction and bubble size in alr–water dispersion system were measured with a dual conductivity probe in a fully baffled dished base stirred vessel with the diameter T of 0.48 m, holding 0.134 m3 liquid. The impel er combination with a six parabolic blade disk turbine below two down-pumping hy-drofoil propel ers, identified as PDT+2CBY, was used in this study. The effects of the impel er diameter D, rang-ing from 0.30T to 0.40T (corresponding to D/T from 0.30 to 0.40), on the local void fraction and bubble size were investigated by both experimental and CFD simulation methods. At low superficial gas velocity VS of 0.0077 m·s?1, there is no obvious difference in the local void fraction distribution for al systems with different D/T. However, at high superficial gas velocity, the system with a D/T of 0.30 leads to higher local void fraction than systems with other D/T. There is no significant variation in the axial distribution of the Sauter mean bubble size for al the systems with different D/T at the same gas superficial velocity. CFD simulation based on the two-fluid model along with the population balance model (PBM) was used to investigate the effect of the impel er diameter on the gas–liquid flows. The local void fraction predicted by the numerical simulation approach was in reasonable agreement with the experimental data.     

BUBBLE AND SLUG FLOW AT MICROGRAVITY CONDITIONS: STATE OF KNOWLEDGE AND OPEN QUESTIONS

Based on the experiments carried out over the past decade at microgravity conditions, an overview of our current knowledge of bubbly and slug flows is presented. The transition from bubble to slug flow, the void fraction and the pressure drop are discussed from the data collected in the literature. The transition from bubble to slug flow may be predicted by introducing a critical void fraction that depends on the fluid properties and the pipe diameter: however, the role of coalescence which controls this transition is not clearly understood. The void fraction may be accurately calculated using a drift-flux model: it is shown from local measurements that the drift of the gas with respect to the mixture is due to the non uniform radial distribution of void fraction. The pressuredrop happens to be controlled by the liquid flow for bubbly flow whereas for slug flow the experimental results show that pressure drops is larger than expected. From this study, the guidelines for future research in microgravity are given.     

Effects of sparger geometry on the mechanism of flow pattern transition in a bubble column

Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) is used to measure void fraction wave characteristics and to identify flow pattern in a bubble column reactor (0.24 m diameter, 2.75 m height). The effects of column pressure and superficial gas velocities for different sparger geometry and for different flow pattern have been investigated. The ERT sensor can distinguish the void fraction disturbances in different flow regimes with a good clarity. The holdup derived from ERT is in good agreement with the hold-up values measured by pressure transmitters. Different flow regimes have been identified based on void fraction properties and wall pressure fluctuations. The spectral analysis of ERT measurements yields quantitative information, such as a characteristic time and a characteristic frequency of void fraction waves, which are closely related to flow structure in the prevailing regime. The experimental observations are compared with the literature.     

Drag models coupled with CFD–PBM method for simulation in bubble columns

In this study, three-dimensional numerical simulation of gas–liquid flow in bubble columns was realized by using the computation fluid dynamics (CFD)–population balance model (PBM). The new drag model improves the stability-constrained multi-fluid (SCMF-C) model because of the consideration of the wake accelerating and the hindering effects for calculating the drag correction factor. The gas holdup, axial liquid velocity, and bubble size distribution (BSD) predicted by four drag models at 0.02 and 0.1 m/s were compared. The results revealed that the proposed drag model can provide excellent predictions for both bubbly and heterogeneous flows. Because the wake accelerating and the hindering effects were considered, reliable predictions were achieved for the gas holdup, and the problem of uniform gas holdup distribution was mitigated. Therefore, the SCMF-C model can be extended for nonuniform BSD. The gas holdup and liquid velocity increased, and the nonuniformity of radial results became pronounced at 0.1 m/s. The profiles of four drag models were similar at a low height, whereas the difference between the simulations of the four models became obvious with the variation of heights. The results of the four models were accurate, and the BSD was wide at 0.1 m/s. Subsequently, the feasibility of the four drag models was evaluated at 0.2 and 0.4 m/s. The results of the comparison revealed that the proposed drag model exhibited excellent feasibility at higher gas velocities and was powerful for the simulation of bubble columns.     

PREDICTION OF VOID FRACTION AND VELOCITY PROFILES OF BUBBLY FLOWS IN VERTICAL PIPES

Adopting a similar approach to Beyerlein et al. (1985), void fraction distributions in turbulent two-phase bubbly air/water upflows and downflows in vertical pipes were analyzed using a simple transport model which was based on the assumptions that the lateral shear-induced lift force acting on bubbles (Thomas et al., 1983) is balanced by bubble dispersion, and that bubbles in the flow are conserved i.e. no bubble breakup or coalescence occurs. The model shows the importance of considering the lateral lift force experienced by bubbles as they move relative to the liquid phase in a non-uniform velocity field. This force causes the bubbles to accumulate near the wall forming a high concentration for upward flow, while the concentration increases toward the centre of the pipe for downward flow. The eddy diffusivity, as widely used in calculation of single-phase flow, can be extended to include the effect of pseudo-turbulence (Lance and Balaille, 1991) due to bubbles, and thus can be linked with the bubble dispersion coefficient. It is also demonstrated that the transverse or radial pressure gradient induced by the Reynolds stress exerts a lateral force on the bubbles, and thus affects their distribution in the flow. A comparison of the model predictions with experimental data from Serizawa et al. (1975) for upflows and Wang et al. (1987) for both upflows and downflows shows that our model predicts void fraction peaking near the wall for upflows and coring at the centre-line for downflows. Compared with similar investigations (e.g., Drew and Lahey, 1982; Lopez de Bertodano et al., 1990) of the same problem, our model approach appears to be simpler and more suitable for engineering calculations.     

Hydrodynamics and liquid phase axial mixing in orifice pipe reactor

Two phase flow in a horizontal pipe, with orifice plates placed at regular intervals as obstructions, was studied for the effect of phase velocities on flow patterns, fractional phase hold-ups, pressure drop and liquid phase axial dispersion. Radioactive technetium-99m (as an aqueous solution of sodium pertechnatate) was used as tracer. A pulse injection technique with two point measurements was employed. Three different orifice diameters were used (8 mm, 16 mm, and 20 mm) in a pipe diameter of 32 mm. The orifice spacing was 500 mm in all cases. Superficial gas (air) velocity was varied over a range from 0.02 m/s to 1.0 m/s and superficial liquid (water) velocity from 0.03 m/s to 0.85 m/s. Different flow patterns under different flow conditions were identified and a generalised flow map is presented. Variations in hold-ups and pressure drop with flow patterns have been explained. Rational correlations have been developed for fractional phase hold-ups and pressure drop. A preliminary comparison of two phase gas-liquid flow in a horizontal pipe with orifice obstructions (to be called orifice pipe reactor), as a gas-liquid contacting device, is made with a conventional bubble column reactor. Recommendations have been made for future work.     

基于MUSIG模型的低温流体过冷沸腾数值模拟

在低温泡状流中,鉴于液相中离散的气泡尺寸大小不一,文中将MUSIG模型应用于低温流体过冷沸腾计算中。通过模拟液氮在竖直圆管内过冷流动沸腾过程,对各尺寸组气泡的分布、轴向空泡份额的分布规律及流动不稳定性进行了分析。计算结果表明:各尺寸组气泡在壁面和中心区呈现不同的分布规律;平均空泡份额沿轴向呈非线性递增变化;由于流型的转变,管内压降将出现突变。     

Effective particle diameters for simulating fluidization of non‐spherical particles: CFD‐DEM models vs. MRI measurements

Computational fluid dynamics—discrete element method (CFD‐DEM) simulations were conducted and compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements (Boyce, Rice, and Ozel et al., Phys Rev Fluids. 2016;1(7):074201) of gas and particle motion in a three‐dimensional cylindrical bubbling fluidized bed. Experimental particles had a kidney‐bean‐like shape, while particles were simulated as being spherical; to account for non‐sphericity, “effective” diameters were introduced to calculate drag and void fraction, such that the void fraction at minimum fluidization (ε_mf) and the minimum fluidization velocity (U_mf) in the simulations matched experimental values. With the use of effective diameters, similar bubbling patterns were seen in experiments and simulations, and the simulation predictions matched measurements of average gas and particle velocity in bubbling and emulsion regions low in the bed. Simulations which did not employ effective diameters were found to produce vastly different bubbling patterns when different drag laws were used. Both MRI results and CFD‐DEM simulations agreed with classic analytical theory for gas flow and bubble motion in bubbling fluidized beds. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 2555–2568, 2017     

泡罩塔板上气液两相局部统计特性实验测定

以空气、水为工质,用双头电导探针研究了泡罩塔板上局部气液接触情况,得到了泡罩塔内距离塔板高度49mm截面上气液两相局部参数——气含率、气泡速度、比表面积及气泡尺寸的统计规律。结果表明,在泡罩塔板上,同一位置的局部气含率随气量的增加而增大,受液量的影响较小;气泡速度主要分布为0．4～o．6m／s;气液比表面积的值85％在50～200m^-1,但在截面上分布不均匀;气泡Sauter直径为0～40mm,55％分布在5～25mm。     

Experimental Determination and Modeling of Bubble Size Distributions in Bubble Columns

Using a five point conductivity technique local values of bubble size,bubble velocity and gas fractionhave been experimentally determined in a 288 mmID and 4.3 m high bubble column as a function of axial andradial position for the air/water and CO_2/N_2/aqueous MDEA systems.The experimental results are comparedwith predictions from a fundamental two-fluid model.The implementation of a non-steady lateral drag term inthe two-fluid model has been shown.In addition to improving the physical realism of the model,it is found togive slight improvements in the predictions of the distributions of local bubble size.Predictions of bubble size arefound in reasonable agreement with experimental values in the heterogeous flow regime,whereas they are stil1found to be unreliable at low gas velocities.Local void predictions are found in reasonable agreement with experi-mental values,but deviations occur in the homogeneous flow regime towards the wall.This is attributed to defi-ciencies in the simplified bubble size mode     

计算流体力学在填充床反应器中的应用进展

在使用计算流体力学(CFD)方法模拟填充床反应器时,为了描述填充床中的气液流动情况,目前主要运用基于体积平均法的双流体数学模型,辅以空隙率分布,填料润湿效率以及轴向扩散等经验关联式来计算填充床中的压降、持液量、停留时间分布等重要参数。近年来填充床反应器CFD数学模型韵几个研究重点是动量交换系数、毛细管压力以及床层空隙率的非均匀分布性。简要介绍了涓流床、固定床、填料塔等填充床反应器及其内部构件研究中CFD软件模拟的应用进展情况和发展趋势。