Bubble characteristics and turbulent dissipation rate in horizontal bubbly pipe flow

Abstract

The energy dissipation rate is a crucial parameter for system control and turbulence modeling but is difficult to quantify in gas–liquid two-phase flows. Little relevant information is available, especially in horizontal pipe flows. Based on the consideration that the bubble characteristics in a stable bubbly flow are a reflection of flow turbulence, the bubble shape and bubble size spectrum are investigated in a 10-m-long horizontal rectangular pipe by means of high-speed imaging and graphic processing techniques. The bubble size spectra indicate a critical length scale, deemed to be the Hinze scale, and the spectral shape is related to turbulent fragmentation and, thus, enables calculation of the turbulence dissipation rate. After careful validation of the approach for estimating the turbulence dissipation rate, an empirical prediction equation is proposed based on the present tested flow conditions, reflecting the effects of both the pipe flow velocity and the gas flow rate. Such information is useful for the modeling of turbulent two-phase flows.