Numerical Investigation of Three-Dimensional Bubble Column Flows: A Detached Eddy Simulation Approach

• Published in: Chemical engineering & technology Vol. 37; no. 10; pp. 1697 - 1704
• Main Authors: Masood, Rao M. A., Delgado, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.10.2014; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Bubble column; Bubble columns; Computational fluid dynamics; Computer simulation; Detached eddy simulation; Fluid flow; Mathematical models; Three dimensional; Turbulence models; Turbulent flow
• ISSN: 0930-7516; 1521-4125
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201400173

Numerical simulations were performed employing detached eddy simulation (DES) in a three‐dimensional transient Euler‐Euler framework for bubble columns, and all the computational fluid dynamics results were compared with a k‐ϵ model and available experimental data. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experiments in predicting the time‐averaged axial velocity and turbulent kinetic energy profiles. The flow‐resolving capabilities of the DES model are highlighted, and it is shown that the DES turbulence model can be efficiently used for simulating flow field and turbulent quantities in the case of bubble columns. Bubble columns are used in chemical, biochemical, metallurgical, and petrochemical industries. To investigate the bubbly flows, a detached eddy simulation (DES) model employing the Euler‐Euler simulations of gas liquid flow in a square cross‐sectioned bubble column was investigated. In comparison to the k‐ϵ model, it resolved the flow with much more detail and captured more dynamic bubble plum.