Eulerian simulation of bubble columns reactors and effect of various parameters on the gas holdup

Abstract

Gas holdup and bubble size are important parameters for simulation and designing in bubble column reactors. Because based on these parameters, the available gas-liquid interfacial area is defined for mass transfer. In this paper, the results of applying magnetic fields on the velocity field and volume fraction of gas holdup are reported. Hydrodynamics of the bubble column in the reactors is investigated numerically using Euler-Euler model, standard k-ε turbulence model considering axisymmetric assumption, and the control volume technique. The results show that the magnetic fields have minor effects on increasing the volume fraction of gas holdup, but it causes to change in the flow field and vortex. In addition, effects of other parameters as well as rotation of the fluid, bubble size, and variation of inlet velocity on the volume fraction of gas holdup have been presented.