scholarly journals A Review of Bubble Dynamics in Liquid Metals

Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 664
Author(s):  
Tim Haas ◽  
Christian Schubert ◽  
Moritz Eickhoff ◽  
Herbert Pfeifer

Gas bubbles are of major importance in most metallurgical processes. They promote chemical reactions, homogenize the melt, or float inclusions. Thus, their dynamics are of crucial interest for the optimization of metallurgical processes. In this work, the state of knowledge of bubble dynamics at the bubble scale in liquid metals is reviewed. Measurement methods, with emphasis on liquid metals, are presented, and difficulties and shortcomings are analyzed. The bubble formation mechanism at nozzles and purging plugs is discussed. The uncertainty regarding the prediction of the bubble size distribution in real processes is demonstrated using the example of the steel casting ladle. Finally, the state of knowledge on bubble deformation and interfacial forces is summarized and the scalability of existing correlations to liquid metals is critically discussed. It is shown that the dynamics of bubbles, especially in liquid metals, are far from understood. While the drag force can be predicted reasonably well, there are large uncertainties regarding the bubble size distribution, deformation, and lift force. In particular, the influence of contaminants, which cannot yet be quantified in real processes, complicates the discussion and the comparability of experimental measurements. Further open questions are discussed and possible solutions are proposed.

1999 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Chun Wang

A continuum bubbly mixture model coupled to the Rayleigh-Plesset equation for the bubble dynamics is employed to study one-dimensional steady bubbly cavitating flows through a converging-diverging nozzle. A distribution of nuclei sizes is specified upstream of the nozzle, and the upstream cavitation number and nozzle contraction are chosen so that cavitation occurs in the flow. The computational results show very strong interactions between cavitating bubbles and the flow. The bubble size distribution may have significant effects on the flow; it is shown that it reduces the level of fluctuations and therefore reduces the “cavitation loss” compared to a monodisperse distribution. Another interesting interaction effect is that flashing instability occurs as the flow reaches a critical state downstream of the nozzle. A stability analysis is proposed to predict the critical flow variables. Excellent agreement is obtained between the analytical and numerical results for flows of both equal bubble size and multiple bubble sizes. [S0098-2202(00)00702-1]


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Vahaji ◽  
Sherman CP Cheung ◽  
Lilunnahar Deju ◽  
Guan Yeoh ◽  
Jiyuan Tu

In order to accurately predict the thermal hydraulic of two-phase gas–liquid flows with heat and mass transfer, special numerical considerations are required to capture the underlying physics: characteristics of the heat transfer and bubble dynamics taking place near the heated wall and the evolution of the bubble size distribution caused by the coalescence, break-up, and condensation processes in the bulk subcooled liquid. The evolution of the bubble size distribution is largely driven by the bubble coalescence and break-up mechanisms. In this paper, a numerical assessment on the performance of six different bubble coalescence and break-up kernels is carried out to investigate the bubble size distribution and its impact on local hydrodynamics. The resultant bubble size distributions are compared to achieve a better insight of the prediction mechanisms. Also, the void fraction, bubble Sauter mean diameter, and interfacial area concentration profiles are compared against the experimental data to ensure the validity of the models applied.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 390-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike R Watkins ◽  
Richard J Oliver

Objectives The objectives were to examine the density, bubble size distribution and durability of sodium tetradecyl sulphate foam and the consistency of production of foam by a number of different operators using the Tessari method. Methods 1% and 3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate sclerosant foam was produced by an experienced operator and a group of inexperienced operators using either a 1:3 or 1:4 liquid:air ratio and the Tessari method. The foam density, bubble size distribution and foam durability were measured on freshly prepared foam from each operator. Results The foam density measurements were similar for each of the 1:3 preparations and for each of the 1:4 preparations but not affected by the sclerosant concentration. The bubble size for all preparations were very small immediately after preparation but progressively coalesced to become a micro-foam (<250 µm) after the first 30 s up until 2 min. Both the 1% and 3% solution foams developed liquid more rapidly when made in a 1:3 ratio (37 s) than in a 1:4 ratio (45 s) but all combinations took similar times to reach 0.4 ml liquid formation. For all the experiments, there was no statistical significant difference between operators. Conclusions The Tessari method of foam production for sodium tetradecyl sulphate sclerosant is consistent and reproducible even when made by inexperienced operators. The best quality foam with micro bubbles should be used within the first minute after production.


Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1129
Author(s):  
Ruidi Bai ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
Bingyang Feng ◽  
Shanjun Liu ◽  
Faxing Zhang

Chute aerators introduce a large air discharge through air supply ducts to prevent cavitation erosion on spillways. There is not much information on the microcosmic air bubble characteristics near the chute bottom. This study was focused on examining the bottom air-water flow properties by performing a series of model tests that eliminated the upper aeration and illustrated the potential for bubble variation processes on the chute bottom. In comparison with the strong air detrainment in the impact zone, the bottom air bubble frequency decreased slightly. Observations showed that range of probability of the bubble chord length tended to decrease sharply in the impact zone and by a lesser extent in the equilibrium zone. A distinct mechanism to control the bubble size distribution, depending on bubble diameter, was proposed. For bubbles larger than about 1–2 mm, the bubble size distribution followed a—5/3 power-law scaling with diameter. Using the relationship between the local dissipation rate and bubble size, the bottom dissipation rate was found to increase along the chute bottom, and the corresponding Hinze scale showed a good agreement with the observations.


Author(s):  
Xinju Li ◽  
Xiaoping Guan ◽  
Rongtao Zhou ◽  
Ning Yang ◽  
Mingyan Liu

Abstract3D Eulerian-Eulerian model was applied to simulate the gas-liquid two-phase flow in a stirred tank of dual Rushton turbines using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The effects of two different bubble treatment methods (constant bubble sizevs. population balance model, PBM) and two different coalescence models (Luo modelvs. Zaichik model) on the prediction of liquid flow field, local gas holdup or bubble size distribution were studied. The results indicate that there is less difference between the predictions of liquid flow field and gas holdup using the above models, and the use of PBM did not show any advantage over the constant bubble size model under lower gas holdup. However, bubble treatment methods have great influence on the local gas holdup under larger gas flow rate. All the models could reasonably predict the gas holdup distribution in the tank operated at a low aeration rate except the region far from the shaft. Different coalescence models have great influence on the prediction of bubble size distribution (BSD). Both the Luo model and Zaichik model could qualitatively estimate the BSD, showing the turning points near the impellers along the height, but the quantitative agreement with experiments is not achieved. The former over-predicts the BSD and the latter under-predicts, showing that the existing PBM models need to be further developed to incorporate more physics.


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