Abstract
Flow pattern, bubble size distribution, and gas holdup are investigated in the bubble columns. Simulated results by the standard k-ϵ turbulence model together with Grace drag model in the commercial computational fluid dynamics software platform (ANSYS CFX 10.0) show good agreement with experimental measurement within the 2D and 3D columns. Three flow regimes (homogeneous bubbly, transitional, and turbulent flows) are identified by the instantaneous velocity profiles of gas and liquid phases, and general flow patterns are summarized under different superficial gas velocities. The findings are useful for designing the slurry bubble columns for synthesizing liquid hydrocarbons and alcohols.
Acknowledgments
Financial support from Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Program, 2005CB221205), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 20676147), and 111 Project of the Ministry of Education, P.R. China is gratefully acknowledged.