Analysis of the interface configuration and flow characteristics in tanks in a multiphase liquid–gas system using numerical simulation

ABSTRACT

A multiphase study was conducted using a turbulence model of large eddy simulation to investigate the interaction between the gaseous phase and the interface and its respective behaviour until the liquid phase movement was established, first in the near interface, as well as the presence of turbulent structures in the study of transport between phases. The results are shown for three surface configurations: a surface with waves in which the Reynolds number and friction velocity of the gaseous phase are, respectively, 210 and 0.25 m/s; a surface with small undulations, 86 and 0.10 m/s; and a flat surface, 43 and 0.05 m/s. Coherent structures are detected on both sides of the interface; these are intensified and less elongated for larger Reynolds numbers. Additionally, the interface exhibits distinct behaviour with regard to the examined phases. For the gaseous phase, it behaves like a no-slip surface.

KEYWORDS:

• Multiphase flow
• wave
• interface
• large eddy simulation
• turbulence

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – CAPES), the Integrated Center for Manufacturing and Technology (Centro Integrado de Manufatura e Tecnologia – CIMATEC), and the Research and Innovation Support Foundation of Espírito Santo (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Espírito Santo – FAPES) for financial support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.