Computational study of bubble coalescence/break-up behaviors and bubble size distribution in a 3-D pressurized bubbling gas-solid fluidized bed of Geldart A particles

A computational study was carried out on bubble dynamic behaviors and bubble size distributions in a pressurized lab-scale gas-solid fluidized bed of Geldart A particles. High-resolution 3-D numerical simulations were performed using the two-fluid model based on the kinetic theory of granular flow. A fine-grid, which is in the range of 3–4 particle diameters, was utilized in order to capture bubble structures explicitly without breaking down the continuum assumption for the solid phase. A novel bubble tracking scheme was developed in combination with a 3-D detection and tracking algorithm (MS3DATA) and applied to detect the bubble statistics, such as bubble size, location in each time frame and relative position between two adjacent time frames, from numerical simulations. The spatial coordinates and corresponding void fraction data were sampled at 100 Hz for data analyzing. The bubble coalescence/break-up frequencies and the daughter bubble size distribution were evaluated by using the new bubble tracking algorithm. The results showed that the bubble size distributed non-uniformly over cross-sections in the bed. The equilibrium bubble diameter due to bubble break-up and coalescence dynamics can be obtained, and the bubble rise velocity follows Davidson’s correlation closely. Good agreements were obtained between the computed results and that predicted by using the bubble break-up model proposed in our previous work. The computational bubble tracking method showed the potential of analyzing bubble motions and the coalescence and break-up characteristics based on time series data sets of void fraction maps obtained numerically and experimentally.     

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.     

四传感器光纤探针测量气泡速度矢量模型

光纤传感器作为纤维光学领域中的新技术,在两相流动局部参数测量中得到了越来越广泛的应用。在假设气泡对称面垂直于气泡运动方向的基础上,对四传感器探针测量局部瞬时气泡速度的数学原理进行了详细推导,给出了新的计算气泡速度矢量的方法和模型,并运用自制的四传感器光纤探针,对气液两相流动中的气泡运动速度和方向进行了测量。实验中通过探针方法测得气相流速相对于流量计测量值的平均偏差为9%,表明新的探针测量方法精度较高,能够用于两相流中气泡速度矢量测量。进一步的实验研究表明,不同流动条件下,局部空泡份额及界面面积浓度(IAC)沿通道径向呈“壁峰型”或“核峰型”的分布规律。     

Two‐Phase Bubbly Flow Structure in Large‐Diameter Vertical Pipes

The two‐phase flow structure of an air‐water, bubbly, upward flow in a 20 cm diameter pipe is presented with particular emphasis on the local interfacial area concentration. The radial distribution of void fraction, bubble velocity, bubble size, bubble frequency, and interfacial area concentration were measured using a local dual‐optical probe. The experimental results showed that the saddle‐type distribution of void fraction and interfacial area concentration, which are common for bubbly flow in small diameter pipes, only appeared in the present experiments under conditions of very low area‐averaged void fraction (<?> < 0.04). The values for the interfacial area concentration were higher in large diameter pipes when compared with data obtained under the same flow conditions in small pipes. The area‐averaged void fraction data were correlated using the drift‐flux model.     

An experimental study of gas void fraction in dilute alcohol solutions in annular gap bubble columns using a four-point conductivity probe

The influence of alcohol concentration on the gas void fraction in open tube and annular gap bubble columns has been investigated using a vertical column with an internal diameter of 0.102 m, containing a range of concentric inner tubes, which formed an annular gap; the inner tubes had diameter ratios from 0.25 to 0.69. Gas (air) superficial velocities in the range 0.014–0.200 m/s were investigated. Tap water and aqueous solutions of ethanol and isopropanol, with concentrations in the range 8–300 ppm by mass, were used as the working liquids. Radial profiles of the local void fraction were obtained using a four-point conductivity probe and were cross-sectionally averaged to give mean values that were within 12% of the volume-averaged gas void fractions obtained from changes in the aerated level. The presence of alcohol inhibited the coalescence between the bubbles and consequently increased the mean gas void fraction at a given gas superficial velocity in both the open tube and the annular gap bubble columns. This effect also extended the range of homogeneous bubbly flow and delayed the transition to heterogeneous flow. Moreover, isopropanol results gave slightly higher mean void fractions compared to those for ethanol at the same mass fraction, due to their increased carbon chain length. It was shown that the void fraction profiles in the annular gap bubble column were far from uniform, leading to lower mean void fractions than were obtained in an open tube for the same gas superficial velocity and liquid composition.     

Experimental determination of the drag coefficient in a swarm of bubbles

Simultaneous measurements of liquid velocity by laser Doppler velocimetry and bubble velocity, diameter, and void fraction by a double optical probe are performed in a bubble column to study the influence of the void fraction on the relative velocity of a swarm of gas bubbles. Bubble diameters d_b vary from 2 to 10 mm and local void fractions α_loc can reach 35%. It is found that, for α_loc<15%, the relative bubble velocity is determined by the hindrance effect and consequently decreases with the void fraction. Beyond this critical value, the aspiration of bubbles in the wake of the leading ones dominates the hindrance effect and the relative velocity thus increases suddenly. The contribution of the bubble diameters to this evolution is also determined. Finally, a drag correlation, valid for the whole range of void fraction and for pure water-air systems, is proposed.     

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     

Experimental investigation of cocurrent two-phase flow in a vertical rectangular channel

New time averaged data of two-phase flow in bubbly and slug regimes are presented. A modified dual spherical tipped optical fiber probe is used to measure local void fractions, gas velocity and bubble sizes. Hot film anemometry was used to measure the local mean liquid velocity axially. The void fraction, gas and liquid velocities values were presented as averages over the long and short dimensions respectively. Also core values of these variables are presented along the smaller dimension of 12.7 mm, near the plane of symmetry of the longer dimension, to show the most general trend of the different bubbly and slug flow runs. Bubble sizes obtained experimentally were compared with predictive models applied to circular geometries and were found to have a reasonable agreement. It was also interesting to find that local void fractions measured using hot film anemometers were comparable to those found by optical fiber probes. Frequencies of interfacial passage of bubbles and slugs are presented which show rather flat profiles across the channel. It is hoped that these data can be further used in predictive two-phase two-fluid models in the future. Lastly of interest is the fact that slip values near the boundaries were shown to be less than 1.0 for some cases in bubbly flow similar to those observed in circular geometries.     

矩形截面螺旋通道内气液两相流局部含气率分布实验研究

应用电导探针测量技术,对矩形截面螺旋通道内气液两相流局部含气率进行实验研究。在不同的气相折算速度下,应用电导探针测量了弹状流弹单元的长度,并与可视化方法进行对比,验证了电导探针的可靠性,并为信号处理选择合适的阈值。分别在泡状流、弹状流及环状流三种流型的条件下,分析了气相与液相折算速度对局部含气率分布的影响。实验结果发现,螺旋通道气液两相局部含气率呈非对称的抛物线形分布,这种非对称性受流型和液相折算速度的影响。     

用改进ECT技术测定油气两相流中空泡分数的测量研究

To measure the void fraction online in oil-gas pipeline, an improved electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) system has been designed. The capacitance sensor with new structure has twelve internal electrodes and overcomes the influence of the pipe wall. The data collection system is improved by using high performance IC (integrated circuit). Static tests of bubble flow, stratified flow and annular flow regime are carried out. Measurements are taken on bubble flow, stratified flow and slug flow. Results show that the new ECT system performs well on void fraction measurement of bubble flow and stratified flow, but the error of measurement for slug flow is more than 10%.     

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.     

Hydrodynamic characteristics of gas-liquid slug flow in a downward inclined pipe

Gas-liquid slug flow in a downward inclined pipe was studied experimentally by employing a wire-mesh sensor that enables quantitative measurements of the cross-sectional void fraction distribution. Processing of the wire-mesh sensor data was applied to carry out a statistical analysis of characteristic parameters of downward slug flow, such as bubble and liquid slug length distributions, as well as to determine the ensemble-averaged shapes of the bubble nose, liquid film and bubble tail. It was found that the pipe inclination affects mainly the bubble length, while variation in the gas flow rate affects both bubble and slug length. The bubble nose shape is more sensitive to the flow conditions than the bubble tail. The 3D structure of an elongated bubble in downward slug flow was reconstructed from the wire-mesh sensor data.     

Genauigkeit der Bestimmung von Blasengrößen aus Messdaten eines Leitfähigkeits‐Gittersensors

An experimental study to assess the accuracy of a wire‐mesh sensor with a temporal and spatial resolution of 5 kHz and 4.8 mm in dependence of bubble size has been carried out. As a reference, single air bubbles with a defined bubble size of 2 – 12 mm are injected in a stagnant liquid phase. The results show a higher uncertainty for bubble diameters below the grid resolution of the sensor. In this case, the bubble size depends strongly on the local bubble position within the mesh grid during its passage.     

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.     

Bubble mechanisms and characteristics at pore scale in a packed-bed reactor

An image processing technique was used to study dominant bubble mechanisms in a two-dimensional packed-bed at pore level under the bubbly flow regime. Bubble breakup and coalescence were identified as dominant mechanisms using a large number of image samples. Two types of coalescence mechanisms were identified that occur due to compression and deceleration associated with the bubbles and three breakup mechanisms were identified that are result of liquid shear force, bubble acceleration, and bubble impact. Data on various two-phase parameters, such as local void fraction, bubble velocity, size, number, and shape were obtained from the images. Results indicated that when a flow regime changed from bubbly to either trickling or pulsing flow, the number of average sized bubbles significantly decreased and the shape of the majority of the bubbles was no longer spherical. Although a mean bubble velocity of all sized bubbles was uniform for given gas and liquid superficial velocities, individual bubble velocities were quite different depending on the bubble location in the pore. The present bubble size distributions were compared with previous studies and the results on bubble size are in general agreement.     

垂直圆管内湍流泡状流的数值研究

在经典Euler/Euler型水动力模型基础上,引入考虑不同直径气泡的种群平衡方程来描述气液两相泡状流,对液相和气相分别建立了基本方程,通过对气泡的受力分析并考虑气泡之间聚合和破碎效应后给出了本构方程,建立了封闭的双流体模型并用于垂直管道湍流泡状流的三维数值模拟.模型预测值与实验数据的比较结果表明该模型能较好地模拟垂直管道湍流泡状流中的相含率分布、速度分布、湍动能分布、气泡直径分布以及气泡直径分布的演变过程.     

Local Measurement of Gas-Liquid Bubbly Flow with a Double-Sensor Probe

A double-sensor probe was used to measure local interfacial parameters of a gas-liquid bubbly flow in a horizontal tube. The parameters included void fraction, interfacial concentration, bubble size distribution, bubble frequency and bubble interface velocity. The authors paid special attention to the probe design and construction for minimizing measurement errors. Measures were also taken in the design of sensor ends for preventing corrosions in the flow. This is an effort to improve the current double-sensor probe technique to meet the ever-increasing needs to local varameter measurements in gas-liquid two-phase flows.     

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。     

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。     

Destabilisation of homogeneous bubbly flow in an annular gap bubble column

Experimental results are presented to show that there are very significant differences in the mean gas void fractions measured in an open tube and a annular gap bubble column, when operated at the same gas superficial velocity, using a porous sparger. Measurements were carried out in a vertical 0.102 m internal diameter column, with a range of concentric inner tubes to form an annular gap, giving diameter ratios from 0.25 to 0.69; gas superficial velocities in the range 0.014–0.200 m/s were investigated. The mean gas void fraction decreases with increasing ratio of the inner to outer diameter of the annular gap column and the transition to heterogeneous flow occurs at lower gas superficial velocities and lower void fractions. Two reasons are proposed and validated by experimental investigations: (1) the presence of the inner tube causes large bubbles to form near the sparger, which destabilise the homogeneous bubbly flow and reduce the mean void fraction; this was confirmed by deliberately injecting large bubbles into a homogeneous dispersion of smaller bubbles, and (2) the shape of the void fraction profiles changes with gap geometry and this affects the distribution parameter in the drift‐flux model. Both of these effects serve to reduce the mean gas void fraction in an annular gap bubble column compared to an open tube at the same gas superficial velocity.