Numerical study of bubbly flow using the second-order moment turbulence model and the population balance method

A comprehensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) turbulence model, coupled with a population balance method (PBM), is presented to simulate the two-phase gas-liquid bubbly flow. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental data. Furthermore, considering the bubble size distribution including the drag force and lift force, the results showed that the calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental measurements. The studies reveal the liquid recirculation and bubble uprising flow patterns, and anisotropic liquid and bubble normal Reynolds stresses. Moreover, both the liquid velocity gradient and the bubble-liquid interaction are important for the generation of liquid turbulence.