2D and 3D simulations of fluid dynamics in the bubble reactor for liquid fuel synthesis: comparisons against experiments

Abstract

Flow pattern, bubble size distribution, and gas holdup are investigated in the bubble columns. Simulated results by the standard k-ε turbulence model together with Grace drag model in the commercial computational fluid dynamics software platform (ANSYS CFX 10.0) show good agreement with experimental measurement within the 2D and 3D columns. Three flow regimes (homogeneous bubbly, transitional, and turbulent flows) are identified by the instantaneous velocity profiles of gas and liquid phases, and general flow patterns are summarized under different superficial gas velocities. The findings are useful for designing the slurry bubble columns for synthesizing liquid hydrocarbons and alcohols.