CFD-PBM Simulation of Bubble Columns: Sensitivity Analysis of the Nondrag Forces

In this work, the effect of nondrag forces (lift force, turbulent dispersion force, wall lubrication force, and virtual mass force) and bubble-induced turbulence (BIT) on the computational fluid dynamics-population balance model (CFD-PBM) simulation of air-water bubble columns operated at 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.11, and 0.23 m/s is investigated. The simulation results indicate that the local gas holdup, axial liquid velocity, global bubble size distribution (BSD), and global Sauter mean diameter are significantly affected by the lift force. Without the lift force, the radial profiles of gas holdup become flatter and the global Sauter mean diameter becomes smaller. The accuracy of simulation results can be improved by considering the lift force. The turbulent dispersion force has a large impact on the local gas holdup. Comparatively, the effect of the wall lubrication force, virtual mass force, and BIT on simulation results is small.