Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Void fraction measurements in bubble columns using computed tomography

Conference ·
OSTI ID:435787
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO (United States)
  2. Florida Atlantic Univ., Boca Raton, FL (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

A Computed Tomographic (CT) scanner has been developed for imaging void fraction distributions in two phase flow systems such as bubble columns and fluidized beds. The scanner has been used to study the effects of various operating parameters such as column diameter, superficial gas velocity, distributor type, etc. on the void fraction and its distribution in an air-water bubble column. The results of this experimental investigation are presented and discussed. It was found that the column dimensions have no significant effect on the void fraction when the column diameter is greater than 0.15 m. Differences in the holdup distribution due to the kind of distributor used are significant only at low gas flow rates. Surface tension of the liquid has a profound influence on the void fraction and its distribution.

OSTI ID:
435787
Report Number(s):
CONF-951135--; ISBN 0-7918-1755-5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English