ECVT imaging of 3D spiral bubble plume structures in gas‐liquid bubble columns. (21st October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Aining; Marashdeh, Qussai; Fan, Liang‐Shih
• Is Part Of: Canadian journal of chemical engineering. Volume 92:Number 12(2014)
• Page Start: 2078
• Page End: 2087
• Publication Date: 2014-10-21
• Subjects: Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals; 660.05
• DOI: 10.1002/cjce.22070
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-4034

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="cjce22070-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <p>Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography (ECVT) is a 3D, real‐time imaging technique that is recently developed to image the multiphase flow behaviour in columns of regular or irregular geometries. In this study, the ECVT measurements are conducted to obtain phase holdups and flow structures in bubble columns of a straight‐cylinder shape and a tapered‐cylinder shape with porous and orifice gas distributors. The phase holdups obtained by the ECVT in a straight‐cylinder bubble column with porous gas distributor are verified by other measurement techniques and correlation equations reported in the literature. The flow regimes of the bubble columns are also characterized by the ECVT. Particularly, a dynamic 3D flow structure, which is uniquely represented by the spiral motion of the bubble plumes occurring within the heterogeneous regime of the gas‐liquid flow in a straight‐cylinder shape bubble column with perforated distributor, is captured for the first time instantaneously over the entire flow field with the ECVT. Other flow behaviour such as the converging flow pattern of the gas bubbles in a tapered‐cylinder shape bubble column is also revealed by the ECVT.</p> </sec> </abstract>