Measurement of air-entrainment from a stationary Taylor bubble in a vertical tube

• Published in: International journal of multiphase flow Vol. 27; no. 10; pp. 1769 - 1787
• Main Authors: Delfos, R, Wisse, C.J, Oliemans, R.V.A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bubbly flow; Entrainment; Exact sciences and technology; Film flow; Film surface; Fluid dynamics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Instrumentation for fluid dynamics; Multiphase and particle-laden flows; Nonhomogeneous flows; Physics; Taylor bubble; Two-phase flow; Vertical slug flow; Void fraction; Bubbly flow; Two-phase flow; Vertical slug flow; Entrainment; Void fraction; Taylor bubble; Film surface; Film flow; Gas liquid interface; Test facilities; Pressure drop; Bubble ascent; Vertical pipe; Bubble flow; Experimental study; Slug flow
• ISSN: 0301-9322; 1879-3533
• DOI: 10.1016/S0301-9322(01)00029-5

To get insight into the air entrainment process from a Taylor bubble in a vertical tube, we measured the gas loss from a Taylor bubble that was held stationary in a downward liquid flow. Also, we measured the void fraction in the downward bubbly flow below the Taylor bubble, as well as the radial void fraction distribution in this region. We varied the Taylor bubble length, the liquid flow rate approaching the bubble, and the turbulence level of this flow. The experiments strongly indicate that the entrainment flux is related to the presence of turbulence in the liquid film surrounding the Taylor bubble.