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.     

Circulation and bypass modes of the slug flow of a gas-liquid mixture in capillaries

Based on the mathematical model of the hydrodynamics of a slug gas-liquid flow in capillaries, which was constructed earlier, the boundaries of the existence of bypass and circulation modes of slug flow past bubbles are theoretically substantiated. The influence of the direction of a gas-liquid flow on the velocity of bubbles is explained. It is shown that at the same diameter of a capillary and surface tension, the viscosity of liquid does not affect the conditions of transition from the circulation mode to the bypass mode of flow past a bubble. It is found that the upper bound of degeneration of the bifurcation of the bubble velocity with an increase in the diameter of the capillary shifts to the region of higher values of capillary numbers. The value of a critical capillary number predicted by Taylor for a horizontal capillary (0.707) is theoretically confirmed.     

Flow in the nose region and annular film around a Taylor bubble rising through vertical columns of stagnant and flowing Newtonian liquids

The flow in the nose region and in the annular film around individual Taylor bubbles rising through stagnant and co-current vertical columns of liquid were studied, employing particle image velocimetry (PIV) and pulsed shadowgraphy techniques (PST) at the same time. The combined techniques enabled simultaneous determination of the bubble shape and the velocity profiles in the liquid film. Experiments were performed with water and aqueous glycerol solutions in a wide range of viscosities , in an acrylic column of 32 mm ID.Values for the distance ahead of the nose in which the flow is disturbed by the presence of the bubble are presented for the conditions studied. The bubble shapes in the nose region are compared with Dumitrescu's shape for potential flow. The velocity profiles show that after the nose region the liquid begins to accelerate downwards, and at a certain distance from the bubble nose the velocity profile and the liquid film thickness stabilise. The liquid film acquires characteristics of a free-falling film. Values of the developing length and film thickness are reported for the experimental conditions studied. Average velocity profiles in the fully developed film are also presented. A critical Reynolds number of around 80 (based on the mean absolute velocity in the liquid film and on the film thickness) is reported for the transition from laminar to turbulent regime. Shear stress profiles (in the fully developed film) are also provided.The data reported are relevant for the validation of numerical codes in slug flow.     

Simulation of the slug flow of a gas-liquid system in capillaries

A mathematical model for the gas-liquid slug flow in a capillary is developed. The velocity profiles in the bubble, film, and interbubble liquid are calculated. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data of other researchers. The experimentally found bifurcational behavior of the slip velocity of bubbles relative to the two-phase mixture reported in the literature is described and supported by the theory. The reasons for which the bubble can stop in a small-diameter dead-end capillary are discussed.     

Hydrodynamics and local mass transfer characterization under gas–liquid–liquid slug flow in a rectangular microchannel

Gas–liquid–liquid three-phase slug flow was generated in a glass microreactor with rectangular microchannel, where aqueous slugs were distinguished by relative positions to air bubbles and organic droplets. Oxygen from bubbles reacted with resazurin in slugs, leading to prominent color changes, which was used to quantify mass transfer performance. The development of slug length indicated a film flow through the corner between bubbles and the channel wall, where the aqueous phase was saturated with oxygen transferred from bubble body. This film flow results in the highest equivalent oxygen concentration within the slug led by a bubble and followed by a droplet. The three-phase slug flow subregime with alternate bubble and droplet was found to benefit the overall mass transfer performance most. These results provide insights into a precise manipulation of gas–liquid–liquid slug flow in microreactors and the relevant mass transfer behavior thereof.     

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.     

The effect of surface active agents on mass transfer from spherical cap bubbles

The influence of surface active agents on the rate of dissolution of spherical cap bubbles at Re > 100 is modeled by assuming that the surfuctant forms a stagnant film on the spherical surface near the rim of the bubble. The extent of this stagnant zone is dictated by a balance between surface forces and shear forces. The presence of the stagnant zone decreases the rate of mass transfer over the frontal surface of the bubble while transfer across the base is unaffected. Comparison with experimental data shows agreement within 25%.     

IMPROVED HYDRODYNAMIC MODEL OF TWO-PHASE SLUG FLOW IN VERTICAL TUBES

Merits of the Fernandes model(Fernandes et al.1983)for two-phase slug flow in verticaltubes are reviewed in this paper.While predicting many macroscopic parameters of slug flow in verti-cal tubes,it fails to present correctly the trend that the average voidage in liquid slugs increases asthe rising velocity of Taylor bubbles is increased.It is also desirable to extend its application toelectrolyte systems, and to churn flow conditions.Based on the diagnostic analysis,the model equa-tion for gas entrainment by falling liquid film is reformulated and the influence of surface tension isalso accounted for.Development of the falling liquid film is recognized in the revised model in or-der to suit the case of short Taylor bubbles as well.The modified model predicts the variation of av-erage voidage in liquid slugs in good agreement with available experimental data.     

水平与微倾斜管内间歇流中长气泡的形态特征

利用双平行探针技术和摄像方法对水平和近水平微倾斜管内长气泡的形态特征进行了实验研究.实验结果表明气泡头部以及气泡体的形态特征取决于气液混合Froude数和管道倾角,而尾部特征还与气泡长度有关;小气泡通过单纯水跃面的长气泡尾部向液塞区弥散,而具有阶梯状尾部结构的长气泡并不向液塞区弥散小气泡,所以气泡尾部结构特征的变化决定了弹状流向段塞流的转变;管道倾角对长气泡形态特征有显著的影响,下倾管内的长气泡在低Froude数时出现头尾倒置现象,同时下倾管内的长气泡比上倾管更易保持阶梯状的尾部结构,所以下倾管的弹状流区比上倾管宽.     

Slug flow characteristics of gas–miscible liquids in a rectangular microchannel with cross and T-shaped junctions

The slug flow of an inert gas and two miscible liquids in microchannels has found its applications in the preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) by the liquid flow-focusing together with Taylor bubbles in microchannel systems, synthesis of metal nanoparticles or colloid silica in microreactors and enhancement of micro-mixing by interaction using gas bubbles in microfluidic devices. In this work, the flow characteristics of the slug flow generated by nitrogen gas and two miscible liquids (the aqueous surfactant solution and acetone or ethanol) flowing in a rectangular microchannel were investigated experimentally by using the high-speed optical imaging method. The microchannel system has a straight main channel for introducing one of the miscible liquids, a cross-junction for injecting of the other miscible liquid, and a T-junction for feeding the gas phase. The pressure drops were measured and images of Taylor bubbles and slug units at various velocities were obtained, from which other flow parameters were determined. Correlations for the velocity and length of Taylor bubbles, the bubble nose length, the bubble tail length, the liquid slug length, the maximum and minimum thicknesses of the liquid films around bubbles, as well as the pressure drop, were proposed. The calculated values of these parameters by using the correlations were compared with the experimental data. The results showed that the proposed correlations are in a good or reasonable agreement with experimental data and then expected to be available in the estimation of the slug flow parameters of the inert gas and two miscible liquids in rectangular microchannels.     

Interaction of two in-line bubbles of equal size rising in viscous liquid

The interaction of bubbles is the key to understand gas–liquid bubbling flow. Two-dimensional axis-symmetry computational fluid dynamics simulations on the interactive bubbles were performed with VOF method,which was validated by experimental work. It is testified that several different bubble interactive behaviors could be acquired under different conditions. Firstly, for large bubbles(d: 4, 6, 8, 10 mm), the trailing bubble rising velocity and aspect ratio have negative correlations with liquid viscosity and surface tension. The influences of viscosity and surface tension on leading bubble are negligible. Secondly, for smaller bubbles(d: 1, 2 mm), the results are complicated. The two bubbles tend to move together due to the attractive force by the wake and the potential repulsive force. Especially for high viscous or high surface tension liquid, the bubble pairs undergo several times acceleration and deceleration. In addition, bubble deformation plays an important role during bubble interaction which cannot be neglected.     

Void fraction measurement and calculation model of vertical upward co-current air–water slug flow

The focus of this paper is on the measurement and calculation model of void fraction for the vertical upward co-current air–water slug flow in a circular tube of 15 mm inner diameter. High-speed photography and optical probes were utilized, with water superficial velocity ranging from 0.089 to 0.65 m·s^-1 and gas superficial velocity ranging from 0.049 to 0.65 m·s^-1. A new void fraction model based on the local parameters was proposed, disposing the slug flow as a combination of Taylor bubbles and liquid slugs. In the Taylor bubble region, correction factors of liquid film thickness C_δ and nose shape C_Z^* were proposed to calculate α_TB. In the liquid slug region, the radial void fraction distribution profiles were obtained to calculate α_LS, by employing the image processing technique based on supervised machine learning. Results showed that the void fraction proportion in Taylor bubbles occupied crucial contribution to the overall void fraction. Multiple types of void fraction predictive correlations were assessed using the present data. The performance of the Schmidt model was optimal, while some models for slug flow performed not outstanding. Additionally, a predictive correlation was correlated between the central local void fraction and the cross-sectional averaged void fraction, as a straightforward form of the void fraction calculation model. The predictive correlation showed a good agreement with the present experimental data, as well as the data of Olerni et al., indicating that the new model was effective and applicable under the slug flow conditions.     

垂直上升气液两相弹状流模型

基于等效弹单元思想,改进了预测垂直上升管中充分发展气液弹状流流动特性的模型。 模型中考虑了界面切应力对液膜运动的影响;并在液弹空隙度预测中引入临界气体夹带速度的概念,以此来描述弹状流中大气泡尾部的混合特性。本文提出的模型还考虑了管径对液弹空隙度的影响。弹状流模型的计算结果得到本文及其他作者实验数据的验证。     

水平管段塞流气弹区液膜特性研究

为了研究气液段塞流相界面的结构特征,采用了双平行电导探针技术对水平管内段塞流气弹区的液膜特性进行了实验测量,并基于一维双流体模型导出液膜厚度的控制方程,该方程对液膜厚度的预测结果与实验结果吻合良好。结合液膜厚度计算模型提出了计算段塞流的机理模型,该段塞流机理模型的计算结果表明对于液相表观速度较高而气相表观速度较低的段塞流,机理模型中忽略液膜非平衡性时得到的平均液膜厚度和气弹区长度明显偏低。     

垂直及倾斜上升管内气液两相弹状流壁面切应力的模拟

用VOF模型对垂直及倾斜上升管内弹状流壁面切应力进行数值模拟。计算结果表明,垂直上升流动时,液膜厚度始终小于对应位置倾斜上升弹状流的液膜厚度,壁面切应力从气弹头部至尾部逐渐增大至恒定不变,在尾流区呈杂乱无章状态。倾斜上升流动时,气泡头部顶点偏向管中心线上方,倾角越小,相同轴向位置处测得的液膜厚度越大。当FrTB较小时,倾斜管内弹状流上管壁面的切应力曲线在液膜区有明显波动,而下管壁面在对应区域的切应力分布则比较光滑。随着FrTB的增大,上下壁面切应力分布曲线越来越靠近。     

On the leakage flow around gas bubbles in slug flow in a microchannel

The leakage flow is that liquid does not push gas bubbles and leaks through the channel corners. This leakage flow was confirmed by tracking particles moving in the liquid film with a double light path method and was quantified by tracking the gas–liquid interface movement. The results show that leakage flow varies during bubble formation process. The average net leakage flow Q_net‐leak in a bubble formation cycle at T‐junction can be as large as 62.4% of the feeding liquid flow rate, depending on the liquid properties. Q_net‐leak for regular flow at main channel is much smaller, ranging from about 0 to 30% of the feeding liquid flow rate. The difference between the two leakage flows would lead to an increase in liquid slug length after generation. Finally, the effects of parameters such as phase flow rates, surface tension, and viscosity were investigated. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 3964–3972, 2015     

微通道内气-液弹状流动及传质特性研究进展

气-液弹状流,又称Taylor流,是一种以长气泡和液弹交替形式流动的流动形态。微通道内气-液弹状流因其气泡与液弹尺寸分布均一、停留时间分布窄、径向混合强等优点,是一种适于强化气-液反应的理想流型。本文首先介绍了微通道内气泡的生成机理、气泡和液弹长度,以及气泡生成阶段的传质特征。其次系统综述了主通道中弹状流动及传质过程的研究进展,包括气泡形状与液膜厚度、液弹内循环和泄漏流特征、气-液传质系数的测量与预测,以及物理与化学吸收过程中的传质特性等方面内容。最后阐述了当前研究的不足并展望了气-液弹状流的研究方向。     

对称分支并行微通道中气液两相流的均匀性规律

采用高速摄像系统研究了对称分支形并行微通道内气液两相流及弹状气泡均匀性规律。实验中分别采用含0.3% SDS的甘油-水溶液与氮气作为液相和气相。观察到弹状流和泡状流两种流型,作出了由两相操作条件构成的流型图及流型转变线。结果表明,气泡非均匀性主要由两微通道内流体之间的相互作用、下游通道中流体动力学的反馈作用以及通道制造误差造成。随液相黏度增大,气泡均匀性变好;在高液相流量以及低气相压力下操作,气泡尺寸分布更易达到均匀。基于压力降守恒原理和微通道内气液两相流阻力模型,构建了两通道中气泡尺寸的预测模型。     

DYNAMIC SLUG TRACKING SIMULATIONS FOR GAS-LIQUID FLOW IN PIPELINES

A Lagrangian slug tracking model for dynamic gas-liquid slug flow in pipelines of varying inclinations has been formulated and implemented in C + + using an object-oriented approach. Slugs and bubbles are discrete computational objects which are coupled by exchange of mass and momentum, and organized in linked lists

The flow parameters are determined from dynamic integral mass and momentum balances on each slug and bubble. A subgrid is used in bubbles extending over pipe sections with different inclinations

Slugs and bubbles are initiated at the pipe inlet, or at low points along a pipeline, and the propagation of individual slugs are tracked dynamically, and without numerical diffusion. Some sample cases demonstrate how the structure of the flow can be followed as it evolves from terrain effects, expansion and wake effects. These are effects that may in some instances cause slugs to disappear and merging of bubbles during simulations. Terrain slugging compulations compare well with some experimental data.     

Predicting inter-phase mass transfer for idealized Taylor flow: A comparison of numerical frameworks

Four numerical frameworks were derived to investigate the impact of underlying assumptions and numerical complexity on the predicted mass transfer between a Taylor bubble and liquid slug in circular capillaries. The separate influences of bubble velocity and film length, slug length, and bubble film thickness on k_La were compared to empirical and CFD-based predictions from existing literature. Reasonable agreement was obtained using a Slug Film model, which accounted for diffusion-limited mass transfer between the slug film and circulating bulk without the need for an iterative numerical solution. Subsequent investigation of the relative contributions of film and cap mass transport for industrially relevant conditions suggests that both mechanisms need to be accounted for during the prediction of k_La.