Models for the Numerical Simulation of Bubble Columns: A Review

Abstract

This work reviews the state‐of‐the‐art models for the simulation of bubble columns and focuses on methods coupled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) where the potential and deficits of the models are evaluated. Particular attention is paid to different approaches in multiphase fluid dynamics including the population balance to determine bubble size distributions and the modeling of turbulence where the authors refer to numerous published examples. Additional models for reactive systems are presented as well as a special chapter regarding the extension of the models for the simulation of bubble columns with a present solid particle phase, i.e., slurry bubble columns.

Solid Particle Effects in Centi‐scale Slurry Bubble Columns

“…Thus, solid particle effects on the spatial gas fraction distributions can be shown with ERT and may also serve for comparison with 3D simulations, e.g., computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations. Furthermore, such a data base is still necessary with regard to model development and testing for disperse gas-liquid-solid flows, especially including breakage and coalescence phenomena [26].…”

Approximate Moment Methods for Population Balance Equations in Particulate and Bioengineering Processes

“…In this case, random perturbations of the abscissas may be employed to overcome this problem [89]. Furthermore, it has been shown that the classical DQMoM formulation generally does not conserve moments of order higher than one when applied to systems with spatial gradients in the disperse phase, e.g., gas-solid fluidized beds [105], exhaust particle formation [106], or bubbly flows [107,108]. For that case, Buffo and coworkers [109] presented a fully conservative formulation.…”

Oxygen Mass Transfer in Biopharmaceutical Processes: Numerical and Experimental Approaches

“…For disperse systems, the Euler-Lagrange and Euler-Euler approach are mainly used, whereby the latter is state of the art [107,138]. An overview of the state of the art of multiphase modeling can be found in [139].…”

“…The breakup model of Laakkonen et al [237] was developed for stirred reactors and is very common in the literature. Other frequently used approaches are the models of Prince & Blanch [238], Luo & Svendsen [239] and Lehr et al [100,139].…”