Numerical simulation of continuous bubbles motion behavior with different lance spacings

Abstract

The lance is a critical component of the bottom-blowing pool melting process, and its placement has an important impact on the pool?s gas-liquid two-phase flow. In this study, a mathematical model of the bottom-blowing process is established, and the flow pattern, trajectory, wake vortex, and velocity of bubbles under four lance spacings are simulated. Results show that there are three basic bubble flow patterns appear in the flow field: bubbles coalesce before leaving the nozzle (Pattern I), bubbles coalesce after leaving the nozzle (Pattern II), and no coalescence during the rise of bubbles (Pattern III). The bubble pattern varies from Pattern I to Pattern III with the increase in lance spacing. The intensity of the influence of the wake vortex on the bubbles decreases. The Q (The Q is the second Galilean invariant of the velocity gradient tensor ?v.) value of the wake vortex is small, but the vortex structural distribution is complex. Moreover, there is a large velocity difference between gas and liquid at the beginning of gas injection, but the velocity difference between them decreases after gas injection, so the average turbulent kinetic energy in the pool initially increases sharply, and then approaches dynamic equilibrium. The top and bottom velocities of the bubbles are consistent, and the velocity fluctuation is orderly. Moreover, the greater the lance spacing is, the greater the disturbance in the pool is. The mixing effect of D = 0.2 m is the best among the four spacings.