Hydrodynamics in a Bubble Column—Part 2: Three‐Phase Flow

ABSTRACT

Multiphase computational fluid dynamics simulation is a useful engineering tool once appropriate closure models are established. However, experimental data of a quality required to assess the validity of different models are largely lacking for three‐phase flows containing both gas bubbles and solid particles dispersed in a liquid. Therefore, the present study extends a database on two‐phase flows in a bubble column described previously in this journal by further experiments on three‐phase flows. Again a combination of particle image velocimetry and shadowgraphy is applied, the former now also providing the solid phase fraction and velocity in addition to the liquid velocity and the latter measuring the gas fraction and velocity. The experimental data are compared with simulations based on models previously applied with success to two‐phase bubbly and particulate flows. Reasonably good predictions are obtained also for the present three‐phase flows over a range of operating conditions.