Multi-scale modelling of dense bubbly flows
J.A.M. Kuipers
Multiphase Reactors Group
Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
Eindhoven University of Technology
The Netherlands
Dense multiphase flows are frequently encountered in industrial processes involving
production of base chemicals and synthetic fuels. Very often complex (heterogeneous)
flow structures prevail which have a very significant impact on the quality of the phase
contact and as a direct consequence thereof strongly affect the performance of the
process. Additional complexities arise due to coalescence and break-up, the effect of
surface active species and/or the presence of (small) suspended particles.
Due to the inherent complexity of these flows the authors have adopted a multi-scale
modeling approach in which both fluid-element and element-element interactions can be
properly accounted where “element” refers to “bubbles” or “particles”. The idea is
essentially that fundamental models, taking into account the relevant details of fluidelement interaction (DNS) and element-element interaction (including coalescence and
break-up), are used to develop closure laws to feed continuum models which can be used
to compute the flow structures on a much larger (industrial) scale. In this presentation
recent advances in multi-scale modelling of dense Gas-Liquid-Solid (GLS) flows will be
highlighted with emphasis on dense flows. In addition, areas which need substantial
further attention will be discussed.