Numerical simulation of a square bubble column using Detached Eddy Simulation and Euler–Lagrange approach

To accurately simulate industrial sized bubble columns, the accurate prediction of the turbulent structures is important. Currently used RANS and LES models cannot capture the dynamics of the bubble columns or require a high grid resolution, respectively. In this work the Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) was used to combine the advantages of RANS and LES approaches. The DES method was based on Spalart–Allmaras, k − ϵ and k − ω SST turbulence models and was used to simulate gas–liquid flow for a bubble column with a square cross-section. The results are compared with experimental data and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) results, based on the Vreman and Smagorinsky subgrid-scale models. Profiles of turbulence kinetic energy and average axial liquid and gas velocities are compared at three heights of the column: near the sparger, in the middle and at the top of the column. The obtained results are in a very good agreement with the experimental data and LES simulations, proving ability of DES to capture highly dynamic flow motion and accurately predict main liquid characteristics in gas–liquid systems.