Euler-Euler Modeling of Mass-Transfer in Bubbly Flows

CFD simulations of dispersed bubbly flow on the scale of technical equipment are feasible within the Eulerian two-fluid framework of interpenetrating continua. However, accurate numerical predictions rely on suitable closure models. Concerning the fluid dynamics of bubbly flows a certain degree of predictive capability has been reached recently. However, concerning mass transfer only few studies have been performed to date.
The present contribution gives an overview over the available results on closure relations for physical absorption/desorption, i.e. mass transfer without chemical reactions. Unsolved issues are highlighted, in particular on which parameters a suitable correlation for the mass transfer coefficient should be based.
In addition, a preliminary study on model validation is presented which makes use of experimentally determined mass transfer coefficients. The need for and requirements on suitable data for this purpose are emphasized.