Dynamics of Gas-Liquid Flows in Bubble Column Reactors

Abstract

Understanding the dynamic behaviour of gas-liquid flows in bubble column reactors is essential for reliable scale-up and design of these widely used industrial units. This study presents an experimental and modelling investigation of bubble column dynamics based on wall pressure fluctuation measurements.

Wall pressure fluctuations were measured at different locations within bubble columns operating at various gas velocities and height-to-diameter ratios. Non-linear analysis of the pressure fluctuation data was performed to quantify the dynamic characteristics of the flow, providing metrics beyond conventional mean and variance statistics. A bubble-bubble interaction model was developed to simulate voidage fluctuations in bubble columns, providing a mechanistic basis for the observed dynamics. The dynamic characteristics of simulated voidage fluctuations were compared with the measured pressure fluctuations. The analysis and data are presented as useful benchmarks for validating full transient CFD simulations of gas-liquid flow in bubble column reactors, contributing to improved predictive capabilities for these important industrial systems.

@article{ranade1999dynamics,
  title         = {Dynamics of Gas-Liquid Flows in Bubble Column Reactors},
  author        = {Ranade, Vivek V and Utikar, Ranjeet P},
  year          = 1999,
  journal       = {Chemical Engineering Science},
  publisher     = {Pergamon},
  volume        = 54,
  number        = 21,
  pages         = {5237--5243},
  doi           = {10.1016/S0009-2509(99)00245-6}
}