HYDRODYNAMIC MODELING OF 3-PHASE FLOWS THROUGH A VERTICAL COLUMN

A computational fluid dynamics model used to examine the structure of three-phase (air-water-glass beads) flows through a vertical column is presented in this paper. The present study proposes new correlations to modify the drag between the liquid and the gas phase to account for the effect of solid particles on bubble motion. The study also attemp ts to propose new correlations for drag between the solid particles an d liquid phase to incorporate the effect of the bubbles. Solid-solid i nteractions were also accounted for in the model by a modification to the drag force acting on the solid phase. A k-epsilon turbulence model was used for simulating the effect of turbulence on the flow field. P redictions were compared with experimental data for the axial variatio n of the solids concentration for model validation. Results of the rad ial variation of the phase velocities are also presented. (C) 1997 Els evier Science Ltd.