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U.S. Department of Energy
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Numerical and physical modelling of bubbly flow phenomena

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6296152

The objective of this study is to develop theoretical tools -- analytical as well as numerical -- for understanding how the flows of bubbly liquids are affected by its microstructure, i.e., the detailed spatial, size, and velocity distribution of bubbles, and how the microstructure, in turn, is affected by the flow. This report describes the progress made to date on the several problems that are being studied. The first problem is concerned with the molecular-dynamics type simulations of monodispersed bubbly liquids under equilibrium and homogeneous conditions and their application to slightly inhomogeneous flows. The Reynolds number is large and the Weber and Froud numbers are small in these simulations. The second problem is concerned with the simulations of flows of bubbly liquids undergoing small amplitude oscillatory motion. Both the cases of bubbles with rigid (due to impurities) and stress-free interfaces are examined. The results are related to the added mass, Basset, and viscous drag coefficients. The third problem is concerned with the acoustic wave propagation in bubbly liquids at frequencies above natural frequency of the bubbles. The second problem is completed as of this writing. Work on the other two problems is currently in progress. A summary of the work to be carried out during the period 1/91 to 6/92 is given in the last section. 4 figs.

Research Organization:
Syracuse Univ. Research Inst., NY (USA). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/ER
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-90ER14136
OSTI ID:
6296152
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/14136-1; ON: DE91007461
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English