The Modeling of Gas-bubble Driven Circulations Systems

Abstract

A mathematical model is presented of the turbulent recirculating two-phase flow in gas-stirred systems. Conservation equations are solved for each phase variables and these are connected through interaction parameters. Allowance is made both for the direct influence of bubble transport on the turbulence field and the additional generation of turbulence energy at the liquid/gas interphase. In addition, the plume shape is a direct result of the computation rather than being prescribed a priori. Computed flowfields are presented for both air-water and nitrogen-steel systems. The air-water results compare well with established measurements of gas fraction and mean velocities. The steel system results seem to suggest that gas plumes in metals may be narrower than in water.