A general CFD-PBE(computational fluid dynamics-population balance equation) solver for gas–liquid poly-dispersed flows of both low and high gas volume fractions is developed in OpenFOAM(open-source field operation an...A general CFD-PBE(computational fluid dynamics-population balance equation) solver for gas–liquid poly-dispersed flows of both low and high gas volume fractions is developed in OpenFOAM(open-source field operation and manipulation) in this work. Implementation of this solver in OpenFOAM is illustrated in detail. The PBE is solved with the cell average technique. The coupling between pressure and velocity is dealt with the transient PIMPLE algorithm, which is a merged PISO-SIMPLE(pressure implicit split operator-semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations) algorithm. Results show generally good agreement with the published experimental data, whereas the modeling precision could be improved further with more sophisticated closure models for interfacial forces, the models for the bubble-induced turbulence and those for bubble coalescence and breakage.The results also indicate that the PBE could be solved out the PIMPLE loop to save much computation time while still preserving the time information on variables. This is important for CFD-PBE modeling of many actual gas–liquid problems, which are commonly high-turbulent flows with intrinsic transient and 3 D characteristics.展开更多
Flow characteristics, such as flow pattern, gas holdup, and bubble size distribution, in an internal loop reactor with external liquid circulation, are simulated to investigate the influence of reactor internals by us...Flow characteristics, such as flow pattern, gas holdup, and bubble size distribution, in an internal loop reactor with external liquid circulation, are simulated to investigate the influence of reactor internals by using the computational fluid dynamics （CFD）-population balance equations （PBE） coupled model. Numerical results reveal that introducing a downcomer tube and a draft tube can help to improve the mass and heat transfer of the reactor through enhanced liquid circulation, increased gas holdup and reduced bubble diameter. The hydrodynamic behavior in the internal loop reactor with external liquid circulation can be managed effectively by adjusting the diameter and axial position of the draft tube.展开更多
The computational fluid dynamics （CFD）-population balance equations （PBE） coupled model is employed to investigate the hydrodynamics in a gas-slurry internal loop reactor with external slurry circulation. The pred...The computational fluid dynamics （CFD）-population balance equations （PBE） coupled model is employed to investigate the hydrodynamics in a gas-slurry internal loop reactor with external slurry circulation. The predicted radial profiles of local gas holdup and bubble diameter are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental data. The spatio-temporal velocity profile of the gas phase reveals that the upward movement of gas is slowed down and the residence time of gas is prolonged by the downward momentum of the slurry, introduction of the external slurry can greatly improve the uniformity of gas holdup distribution in the reactor, especially in the downcomer-tube action region. Moreover, the interaction between the downward slurry and upward gas can lead to small bubble size and high interfacial area as well as good mass and heat transfer. The above results suggest the function of external slurry circulation for the internal loop reactor and would be helpful for optimizing the design and scale up of reactors.展开更多
Bubble column reactors can be simulated by the two fluid model(TFM) coupled with the population balance equation(PBE). For the large industrial bubble columns, the compressibility due to the pressure difference may in...Bubble column reactors can be simulated by the two fluid model(TFM) coupled with the population balance equation(PBE). For the large industrial bubble columns, the compressibility due to the pressure difference may introduce notable bubble size variation. In order to address the compressibility effect, the PBE should be reformulated and coupled with the compressible TFM. In this work, the PBE with a compressibility term was formulated from single bubble dynamics, the mean Sauter diameters predicted by the compressible TFM coupled with the PBE were compared with the analytical solutions obtained by the ideal gas law. It was proven that the mesoscale formulations presented in this work were physically consistent with the macroscale modeling. It can be used to simulate large industrial plants when the compressibility induced bubble size variation is important.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Key Research and Development Program(2016YFB0301702)National Natural Science Foundation of China(21776284,21476236)+1 种基金Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences,CAS(QYZDJ-SSW-JSC030)Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials
文摘A general CFD-PBE(computational fluid dynamics-population balance equation) solver for gas–liquid poly-dispersed flows of both low and high gas volume fractions is developed in OpenFOAM(open-source field operation and manipulation) in this work. Implementation of this solver in OpenFOAM is illustrated in detail. The PBE is solved with the cell average technique. The coupling between pressure and velocity is dealt with the transient PIMPLE algorithm, which is a merged PISO-SIMPLE(pressure implicit split operator-semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations) algorithm. Results show generally good agreement with the published experimental data, whereas the modeling precision could be improved further with more sophisticated closure models for interfacial forces, the models for the bubble-induced turbulence and those for bubble coalescence and breakage.The results also indicate that the PBE could be solved out the PIMPLE loop to save much computation time while still preserving the time information on variables. This is important for CFD-PBE modeling of many actual gas–liquid problems, which are commonly high-turbulent flows with intrinsic transient and 3 D characteristics.
基金Financial support from the Central Universities (12QN02)National Natural Science Foundation of China (51025624and 51076043)111 Project (B12034)
文摘Flow characteristics, such as flow pattern, gas holdup, and bubble size distribution, in an internal loop reactor with external liquid circulation, are simulated to investigate the influence of reactor internals by using the computational fluid dynamics （CFD）-population balance equations （PBE） coupled model. Numerical results reveal that introducing a downcomer tube and a draft tube can help to improve the mass and heat transfer of the reactor through enhanced liquid circulation, increased gas holdup and reduced bubble diameter. The hydrodynamic behavior in the internal loop reactor with external liquid circulation can be managed effectively by adjusting the diameter and axial position of the draft tube.
基金Financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51076043 and 51061130538)Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University(NCET-09-0342)+1 种基金Central Universities(12QN02)111 Project(B12034)
文摘The computational fluid dynamics （CFD）-population balance equations （PBE） coupled model is employed to investigate the hydrodynamics in a gas-slurry internal loop reactor with external slurry circulation. The predicted radial profiles of local gas holdup and bubble diameter are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental data. The spatio-temporal velocity profile of the gas phase reveals that the upward movement of gas is slowed down and the residence time of gas is prolonged by the downward momentum of the slurry, introduction of the external slurry can greatly improve the uniformity of gas holdup distribution in the reactor, especially in the downcomer-tube action region. Moreover, the interaction between the downward slurry and upward gas can lead to small bubble size and high interfacial area as well as good mass and heat transfer. The above results suggest the function of external slurry circulation for the internal loop reactor and would be helpful for optimizing the design and scale up of reactors.
文摘Bubble column reactors can be simulated by the two fluid model(TFM) coupled with the population balance equation(PBE). For the large industrial bubble columns, the compressibility due to the pressure difference may introduce notable bubble size variation. In order to address the compressibility effect, the PBE should be reformulated and coupled with the compressible TFM. In this work, the PBE with a compressibility term was formulated from single bubble dynamics, the mean Sauter diameters predicted by the compressible TFM coupled with the PBE were compared with the analytical solutions obtained by the ideal gas law. It was proven that the mesoscale formulations presented in this work were physically consistent with the macroscale modeling. It can be used to simulate large industrial plants when the compressibility induced bubble size variation is important.
