CFD-modelling for bubbly flows in medium and large scales

For gas-liquid flows in large and medium scale industrial applications the Euler-Euler approach is frequently used and for many problems it is the only feasible one. During the derivation of the basic conservation equations the information on the interface gets lost and all interfacial exchange between gas and liquid has to be reflected by appropriate closure models. They have to reflect local phenomena that usually are similar in different global flow situations as bubble columns, pipe flows and others. For this reason a unified setup for closure models should be applicable without any modification for such a spectrum of flow situations. The HZDR baseline model for bubbly flows defines such a set of closures. It was applied to more than 150 different cases indicating a good overall performance, but showing also the limits of the present model. For this reason the model has to be improved continuously.
Recently a new model for bubble-induced turbulence in the RANS framework was included into the baseline model. It was developed basing on DNS of a bubbly channel flow. Other activities aim on the lateral lift force, which is closely connected to the bubble shape. Weak points in the present setup are the near wall simulation and the consideration of swarm effects. For these issues more basic research is required to improve the understanding of the phenomena and to derive better closure models. The present model also shows clear deviations from experimental findings for cases with high liquid superficial velocities which are connected with large gradients in the liquid flow field and a high turbulence level.
The focus of the presentation is on recent and ongoing activities to improve closure models and on the requirements for further improvements.