Fluid Dynamics in a Bubble Column: New Experiments and Simulations

Bubble columns are a common type of multiphase reactors used in many chemical engineering applications. Optimization and scale-up of bubble column processes is a complex task that can greatly benefit from multiphase CFD simulations. Calculations on industrial scales become feasible by the Euler-Euler two-fluid model, but suitable closure relations describing interfacial exchange processes are needed for practical application. Concerning pure fluid dynamics of dispersed gas-liquid multiphase flow an ongoing effort has led to a validated set of closures that is applicable under a rather broad range of conditions. The availability of new experimental data with large spatial and temporal resolution and high accuracy for a comprehensive set of observables and a range of different conditions provides the opportunity for further testing of this model. In this way the reliability of the obtained predictions is continually increased.