Multiphase Science and Technology

SOME REMARKS ON MECHANISMS OF PHASE DISTRIBUTION IN AN ADIABATIC BUBBLY PIPE FLOW

ABSTRACT

This contribution discusses the behaviour of single bubbles and bubble structures in adiabatic bubbly pipe flow. The liquid velocity fields induced by single small bubbles, by small Taylor bubbles, by bubble swarms and by bubble clusters are discussed and illustrated by computational simulations. Next, the forces on single bubbles are reviewed; it is shown that, within certain ranges of bubble size, the force on the bubble (and hence its terminal rise velocity) may be strongly affected by small initial distortions in the bubble. Finally, questions of bubble clustering and coalescence are discussed.