Euler-Euler simulation of absorption and desorption in co- and counter-current bubble column flows. (5th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khan, Haris; Lehnigk, Ronald; Rzehak, Roland
• Is Part Of: Chemical engineering science. Volume 267(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03-05
• Subjects: Mass-transfer -- Dispersed gas–liquid multiphase flow -- Euler-Euler two-fluid model -- Closure relations -- CFD simulation -- Model validation; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; Chemical engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 660
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2022.118313
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-2509

Abstract

Highlights: Mass-transfer in bubbly flows is simulated in OpenFOAM. Absorption and desorption as well as co- and counter-current flows are considered. Comparison is made with literature data including concentration measurements. Constant bubble size and mass transfer coefficient are taken from the experiment. A demonstration of a polydisperse simulation is given. Abstract: Mass transfer in bubbly flows is important in many engineering applications. Simulation of such processes on technical scales is feasible by the Euler-Euler two-fluid model, which relies on suitable closure relations describing interfacial exchange processes. In comparison with the pure fluid dynamics of bubbly flows however, modeling and simulation of bubbly flows including mass transfer is significantly less developed. In particular, previous studies have focused entirely on absorption in upward vertical flows, whereas the present study considers a larger variety of conditions including desorption and counter-current (downward) flow. Suitable experimental data for comparison are available from the classic work of Deckwer et al. [Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering 56 (1978) 43–55]. In line with previous studies on the co-current absorption cases from that work, a monodisperse approximation is made. In addition, a class method to treat bubble shrinkage and growth is implemented in the OpenFOAM code and tested by showing the crossover between two monodisperse cases.