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Reactor
1. Introduction
The purpose of this tutorial is to provide guidelines for solving the flow break-up, and coalescence of
gas bubbles in a gas-liquid bubble column reactor using a population balance approach coupled with
the Eulerian multiphase model. The population balance approach is used to solve for bubble flow and
size distribution in an axisymmetric bubble column for a population of six different bubble sizes.
This tutorial demonstrates how to do the following:
Set up a two-phase, unsteady bubble column problem for an air-water bubble column using the
Eulerian multiphase model.
Enable and set up a population balance model with six bubble sizes.
Solve the case using appropriate solver settings and solution monitors.
Postprocess the resulting data for bubble size distribution.
2. Prerequisites
This tutorial is written with the assumption that you have completed Tutorial 1 from ANSYS Fluent Tutorial Guide, and that you are familiar with the ANSYS Fluent navigation pane and menu structure. Some
steps in the setup and solution procedure will not be shown explicitly.
This tutorial assumes that you are familiar with the use of the Eulerian multiphase mixture model. This
tutorial does not cover the mechanics of using this model, but focuses on setting up the population
balance problem for bubble size distribution and solving it. For details on Eulerian multiphase model,
refer to Section 25.5, Setting Up the Eulerian Model in ANSYS Fluent User's Guide.
The population balance module is provided as an add-on module with the standard ANSYS Fluent licensed
software. A special license is required to use the population balance module. For a comprehensive
overview of the ANSYS Fluent population balance model and its application in solving multiphase flows
involving a secondary phase with a size distribution, refer to ANSYS Fluent Population Balance Module
Manual.
3. Problem Description
Figure 1: Problem Schematic (p. 2) shows the schematic representation of the air-water bubble column
of diameter of 0.29 m and height of 2 m. Air is injected into the water column through an inlet at the
bottom, which has a diameter of 0.23 m, with a constant velocity of 0.02 m/s. The initial diameter of
the injected air bubbles is 3 mm. Model this column as a 2D, axisymmetric column.
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Strategy
The injection of air causes the development of a turbulent flow pattern in the liquid column, which
transports the bubbles throughout the column. Due to the effects of turbulence and collisions between
individual bubbles, the bubbles breakup and coalesce with each other. As a result, bubbles with a range
of sizes are formed in the bubble column. The size distribution of the bubbles, plays a critical role in
any mass transfer and reactions that may occur between the air and the liquid, as in a Fischer-Tropsch
synthesis process. Hence resolving the bubble size distribution is an important task in the CFD analysis
of bubble column reactors. This can be accomplished using the population balance model in ANSYS
Fluent.
1. In this tutorial, you will set up the two phase flow problem using the Eulerian mixture multiphase model.
a. Enable the population balance model using the TUI commands.
b. Use the specialized dialog box for this model to define the size distribution problem.
c. Select the discrete method with six size bins to represent the bubble size distribution.
d. Set the volume ratio to 4 with a minimum size of 0.001191 m or 1.191 mm. The six size bins correspond
to the bubble diameters 0.012, 0.00756, 0.004762, 0.003, 0.00189, and 0.001191 metres respectively.
e. Choose the size bins such that the inlet bubble size of 3 mm, i.e. 0.003 m, lies in the middle of the
bin sizes.
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Problem Description
f.
Enable the aggregation and breakage kernels and choose the Luo model.
g. Set up and solve the flow and population balance problem in transient mode until an equilibrium
solution is reached.
h. Finally, use the postprocessing capabilities to analyze the flow and resulting size distribution.
2. Use the population balance model for solving multiphase flow problems where the secondary phase has
a size distribution such as droplets, bubbles or crystals, which evolves and changes with the flow due
to phenomena like nucleation, growth, aggregation or coalescence, and breakage.
The population balance model uses a balance equation, similar to the mass, energy and momentum
balance, to track the changes in the size distribution. The size distribution can be determined using
one of the four approaches:
The discrete method.
The inhomogenous discrete method.
The standard method of moments.
The quadrature method of moments.
3. Use the discrete method to compute the bubble size distribution. Here, the range of particle sizes in the
particle size distribution is divided into a finite number of intervals or discrete bin.
The bubble sizes chosen for the bins have to be in geometric progression with the ratio of bubble
volumes of adjacent size bins, or volume ratio, set to an integer power of 2. Thus the bubble diameters
are in geometric progression with a size ratio which is the cube root of an integer power of 2.
A transport equation is solved for each bin with a corresponding scalar, which represents the volume
fraction of gas in that bin. Thus, the sum of the scalars for all the discrete bins is equal to the gas
phase volume fraction.
Source terms in the transport equation account for the birth and death of bubbles in each size bin,
when they enter or leave the bin due to breakup and coalescence. These terms are computed using
specific models or kernels which are published in the scientific literature. In this tutorial, you will use
the breakup and coalescence kernels for bubble columns developed by Luo et.al. [1]
After solving the transport equations for the scalars, calculate the value of the number density function
for each size bin. This is the volume fraction of each bin i.e. the scalar value, divided by the volume
of a single bubble, yielding the number of bubbles per unit volume or number density. The values of
the number density function for all size bins give the bubble size distribution.
The transport equations from the population balance model and the momentum equations are coupled
due to user-defined drag based on Sauter mean diameter computed from the obtained size distribution.
Both the number density function and the Sauter diameter are available in ANSYS Fluent for postprocessing. Specialized postprocessing functions for the population balance model have been added to
ANSYS Fluent.
4. Report and plot volume and surface averages of the size distribution. You will also compute the statistical moments of the size distribution, which represent aggregate quantities such as the total number of
bubbles or the total bubble surface area per unit volume.
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2.
3.
4.2. Mesh
Note
As the mesh file is read, ANSYS Fluent will report the progress in the console.
2.
a.
Enable the transient solver by selecting Transient from the Time list.
b.
Note
ANSYS Fluent will perform various checks on the mesh and will report the progress in
the console. Ensure that the reported minimum volume is a positive number.
3.
a.
Select axis from the Mirror Planes list to enable the symmetry.
b.
Drag the indicator of the dial with the left mouse button in the counter clockwise direction
until the upright view is displayed (see Figure 2: Mesh Display (p. 5)).
Figure 2: Mesh Display
ii.
c.
d.
4.4. Models
1.
2.
Multiphase Edit...
a.
b.
Retain the default settings and click OK to close the Multiphase Model dialog box.
Viscous Edit...
a.
b.
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4.5. Materials
Copy a new material from the materials database.
Materials Create/Edit...
1.
2.
Click Fluent Database... to open the Fluent Database Materials dialog box.
a.
b.
Click Copy and close the Fluent Database Materials dialog box.
4.6. Phases
1.
2.
a.
b.
c.
Enable Gravity and set the Gravitational Acceleration to a value of -9.81 m/s2 in the X direction.
2.
Enable Specified Operating Density and retain a value of 1.225 kg/m3 for Operating Density.
Note
A list of modules is displayed in the console with their respective numbers.
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Enter 5 for the module number to enable the Population Balance model.
Note
The GUI now changes and an item is added to the Models menu.
2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Enter 6 for Bins, 2 for Ratio Exponent, and 0.001191 m for Min in the Bins group
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Click Print Bins to print the discrete bubble sizes for each bin.
f.
Enable Phenomena.
g.
Enable Aggregation Kernel and Breakage Kernel from the Phenomena group box.
h.
Select luo-model from the Aggregation Kernel and Frequency drop-down lists. Leave the surface
tension requested by the model as default.
i.
Note
In the Secondary Phase dialog box, the Diameter property changes to sautermean i.e. the Population Balance model is automatically set to calculate the Diameter for the mean bubble size.
vinlet
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a.
Select air from the Phase drop-down list and click Edit....
i.
ii.
iii.
b.
2.
A.
B.
Ensure that Specified Value is selected from the Boundary Condition drop-down lists
for all the Population Balance variables.
C.
Enter 1 for Bin-3-fraction and retain the default value of 0 for the other variables in the
Boundary Value group box.
Select mixture from the Phase drop-down list and click Edit....
i.
In the Momentum tab and select Intensity and Hydraulic Diameter from the Specification
Method drop-down list.
ii.
Retain 5 % for Turbulent Intensity and enter 0.145 m for Hydraulic Diameter.
iii.
outlet
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b.
Select air from the Phase drop-down list and click Edit....
i.
Click the Multiphase tab and enter 1 for Backflow Volume Fraction.
ii.
Set the value of Bin-3-fraction to 1 and retain 0 for the other variables in the Boundary Value
group box.
iii.
Select mixture from the Phase drop-down list and click the Edit... button to open the Pressure
Outlet dialog box.
i.
Select Intensity and Hydraulic Diameter from the Specification Method drop-down list.
ii.
Retain 5 % for Backflow Turbulent Intensity and enter 0.145 m for Backflow Hydraulic
Diameter.
iii.
4.10. Solution
1.
2.
a.
Ensure that Phase Coupled SIMPLE is selected from Scheme drop-down list in Pressure-Velocity
Coupling group box.
b.
3.
4.
a.
Enter 0.1 (m2/s2) for Turbulent Kinetic Energy and 0.25 (m2/s3) for Turbulent Dissipation
Rate in the Initial Values group box.
b.
c.
Click Initialize.
10
Retain selection of Inside from the Options list and Quad from the Shapes list.
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Enter the values for the coordinates as shown in the following table:
Table 1:
5.
Parameter
Value
X Min
1.8
X Max
2.0
Y Min
Y Max
0.145
c.
d.
6.
a.
b.
Select Bin-3-fraction from the Variable list and enter 1 for Value.
c.
d.
Click Patch.
e.
Select Volume Fraction from the Variable list and set Value to 1.
f.
a.
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7.
b.
c.
8.
a.
b.
c.
Select Time Step from the Get Data Every drop-down list.
d.
e.
Select Population Balance Variables... and Bin-0-fraction from the Field Variable drop-down
list.
f.
g.
h.
12
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Note
Set similar parameters as above.
9.
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13
Note
Set similar parameters as above.
Note
When using the population balance model, the settings do not get applied to the solver.
In order to get appropriate results, you need to exit ANSYS Fluent and read the case
file in a new session (so that the settings are applied).
4.11. Calculation
1.
Read the case file (bubcol new2-initial.cas.gz) in a new ANSYS Fluent session.
File Read Case...
2.
14
Initialize the solution and patch the regions. Repeat Step 3 (p. 10) to Step 5 (p. 11) of Solution (p. 10).
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b.
c.
d.
Click Calculate.
Note
The scaled residuals are as shown in Figure 3: Scaled Residuals (p. 15). Figure 4: Convergence History of Bin-0-fraction (p. 16), Figure 5: Convergence History of Bin-3-fraction (p. 16), and Figure 6: Convergence History of Bin-5-fraction (p. 17) show the plots
of convergence history of Bin-0-fraction, Bin-3-fraction, and Bin-5-fraction, respectively.
Figure 3: Scaled Residuals
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15
16
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4.12. Postprocessing
1.
a.
b.
Select Phases... and Volume fraction from the Contours of drop-down list.
c.
d.
Disable Auto Range from the Options list and enter 0 for Min and 0.1 for Max.
e.
Click Display (see Figure 7: Contours of Mean Volume Fraction of Air (p. 18)).
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17
Note
The changes in phase from inlet to outlet, and areas with low volume fraction as well
as dead zones can be observed.
2.
Create a vector plot for water velocity and observe the recirculation patterns.
Graphics and Animations
18
a.
Select Velocity and water-liquid from the Vectors of and Phase drop-down lists respectively.
b.
Click Display (see Figure 8: Water Velocity Vector Colored by Velocity magnitude of Water (p. 19)).
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3.
a.
Select Population Balance Variables... and Bin-0-fraction from the Contours of drop-down lists.
b.
c.
Click Display (see Figure 9: Contours of Bin-0-fraction for Air Phase (p. 19)).
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19
Calculate the moments of the bubble size distribution for the fluid region and the outlet.
Report Population Balance Moments...
a.
b.
Ensure that fluid is selected from the Cell Zones list and click Print.
Note
The values of the moments are printed in the ANSYS Fluent window are as shown:
>
Population Balance Moments over Surface(s) (default-interior)
Moment Number
Moment
---------------------------------------------------0
1502009.5
1
5666.7924
2
27.844675
3
0.19238809
5.
Plot the volume averaged discrete number density function distribution for different bubble sizes for
the fluid volume.
Report Population Balance Number Density...
20
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a.
b.
c.
Note
Histogram is enabled only after you select Discrete Number Density from the
Fields list.
d.
e.
Note
The values printed in the console are as shown:
>
Number Density for Discrete Method
Particle Diameter
Number Density
-------------------------------------------------0.012004528
61918.538
0.0075623786
91329.912
0.004764
131117.26
0.0030011319
1181881.9
0.0018905947
15580.311
0.001191
14195.923
f.
Click Plot to plot the histogram of the volume averaged number density distribution with bubble
diameter (See Figure 10: Volume Averaged Number Density Distribution Histogram (p. 22)).
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21
Note
You can also plot the length and volume based number density distribution.
6.
a.
22
Select Mesh... and X-Coordinate from the Surface of Constant drop-down list.
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7.
b.
c.
d.
Click Create.
e.
Plot the surface averaged discrete number density function distribution for different bubble sizes for
the surface at x=1.
Report Population Balance Number Density...
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Note
The values printed in the console are as shown:
Number Density for Discrete Method
Particle Diameter
Number Density
--------------------------------------------------------0.012004528
61519.848
0.0075623786
90822.875
0.004764
131320.64
0.0030011319
1186657.3
0.0018905947
15256.593
0.001191
13940.668
f.
Click Plot to plot the histogram of the surface averaged number density distribution with bubble
diameter (see Figure 11: Surface Averaged Number Density Distribution Histogram (p. 24)).
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8.
Plot the distribution along the central axis of the bubble column for each scalar.
Plots
a.
Select Population Balance Variables... and Bin-3-fraction from the Y Axis Function drop-down
lists.
b.
c.
d.
e.
i.
ii.
iii.
Click Plot (see Figure 12: Distribution of Bubble Size Along the Axis for Bin-3-fraction (p. 25)).
Note
You can see the initial bubble size distribution.
24
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Note
The Bin-3-fraction (initial bubble size) decreases from inlet to outlet.
f.
Note
Breakup and coalescence are irrelevant in the freeboard region, which does not
contain water.
9.
Create and plot a custom eld function that calculates the fraction of air contained in a bubble size
corresponding to Bin-3-fraction.
Define Custom Field Functions...
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25
a.
Select Population Balance Variables... and Bin-3-fraction from the Field Functions drop-down
lists.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Select Phases... and Volume fraction from the Field Functions drop-down list and click the Select
button.
f.
g.
h.
26
a.
Select Custom Field Functions... and discrete-size-3-fraction from the Contours of drop-down
list.
b.
Disable Auto Range and enter 0 for Min and 0.04 for Max.
c.
Click Display (see Figure 13: Contours of Custom Field Function discrete-size-3-fraction (p. 27)).
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d.
a.
b.
c.
Select Diameter from the Contours of drop-down list as the fluid property for plotting.
Note
The Diameter option is available only after selecting air.
d.
Click Display (see Figure 14: Contours of Sauter Diameter (p. 28)).
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27
12. Similarly, plot the histogram of the Sauter diameter distribution in the fluid volume.
Plots
28
a.
b.
c.
Select Diameter from the Histogram of drop-down list as the fluid property.
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e.
Click Plot (see Figure 15: Contours of Sauter Diameter (p. 29)).
Note
The plot shows the distribution of the length number density of bubbles with
Sauter diameter. You can also click Print to print the distribution in the ANSYS
Fluent console.
Figure 15: Contours of Sauter Diameter
Calculate the gas hold-up in the column using the volume integration tools in ANSYS Fluent and
knowing the initial dimensions of the water column.
2.
Rerun the case for a finer bubble size distribution using a geometric volume ratio of 2 around the inlet
bubble diameter of 3 mm.
4.14. Summary
This tutorial used the population balance approach to solve the bubble size and flow distribution in an
axisymmetric bubble column and illustrated the setup, solution process and postprocessing of gas-liquid
multiphase flows with a size distribution. It used the discrete method to calculate the bubble size distribution for the population of six different bubble sizes.
4.15. References
1. [1] Luo, Hean; Svendsen, Hallvard F., Theoretical model for drop and bubble breakup in turbulent dispersions, AIChE Journal v. 42, no. 5, May 1996, pp. 1225-1233.
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29
30
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