CFD investigation on the effect of Taylor vortex flow on the dynamic characteristics of single bubble based on Lagrangian method

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2025.06.020

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 87 ›› Issue (11): 129-139.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2025.06.020

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CFD investigation on the effect of Taylor vortex flow on the dynamic characteristics of single bubble based on Lagrangian method

Hang Yang¹, Zhineng Li¹, Xiaoyong Yang¹, Shilong Du¹, Danyang Li², Yong Zhu¹, Zhishan Bai¹

1. School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China;
2. PetroChina Tarim OilField Company, Korla 841000, China

Received:2025-02-16 Revised:2025-06-28 Accepted:2025-06-30 Online:2025-08-09 Published:2025-11-28
Contact: Xiaoyong Yang,E-mail:yangxiaoyong1989@126.com
Supported by:
This research was sponsored by Shanghai Sailing Program (21YF1409500), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22308100) and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering (SKL-ChE-23Z01) for which the authors express their appreciation.

CFD investigation on the effect of Taylor vortex flow on the dynamic characteristics of single bubble based on Lagrangian method

Hang Yang¹, Zhineng Li¹, Xiaoyong Yang¹, Shilong Du¹, Danyang Li², Yong Zhu¹, Zhishan Bai¹

1. School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China;
2. PetroChina Tarim OilField Company, Korla 841000, China

通讯作者: Xiaoyong Yang,E-mail:yangxiaoyong1989@126.com
基金资助:
This research was sponsored by Shanghai Sailing Program (21YF1409500), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22308100) and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering (SKL-ChE-23Z01) for which the authors express their appreciation.

Abstract

Abstract: The Taylor-Couette reactor can achieve precise control of heat transfer, mass transfer, and reactions, and it has been widely used in chemical production fields. In this paper, computational fluid dynamics-discrete phase model (CFD-DPM) simulation was used to study the dynamic characteristics of bubbles in the Taylor-Couette reactor, and the results were verified by high-speed camera experiments. The effects of rotational Reynolds number Re, axial Re_a and bubble diameter d_g were considered. Then a quadratic polynomial model of bubble residence time in the reactor was established using response surface methodology (RSM). The results show that in the range of rotational Re = 3482-10446, the movement trajectory of the bubble in the Taylor-Couette reactor followed the cylindrical helix. The increase of rotational Re can strengthen the downflow of Taylor vortex and reduced the ascent rate of bubbles, resulting in the increase of bubble residence time. And there was a synergetic effect of the rotational Re and d_g on the residence time. Besides, Re_a had positive effect on the bubble residence time under the condition of low level of Re (Re = 3482, 6964). Finally, the quadratic polynomial model was proven to be feasible to predict the residence time of bubble in the Taylor-Couette reactor. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the bubble dynamics within Taylor reactors and offers theoretical guidance for their operation.

Key words: Taylor–Couette reactor, CFD-DPM, Bubble trajectory, Residence time, RSM analysis

摘要： The Taylor-Couette reactor can achieve precise control of heat transfer, mass transfer, and reactions, and it has been widely used in chemical production fields. In this paper, computational fluid dynamics-discrete phase model (CFD-DPM) simulation was used to study the dynamic characteristics of bubbles in the Taylor-Couette reactor, and the results were verified by high-speed camera experiments. The effects of rotational Reynolds number Re, axial Re_a and bubble diameter d_g were considered. Then a quadratic polynomial model of bubble residence time in the reactor was established using response surface methodology (RSM). The results show that in the range of rotational Re = 3482-10446, the movement trajectory of the bubble in the Taylor-Couette reactor followed the cylindrical helix. The increase of rotational Re can strengthen the downflow of Taylor vortex and reduced the ascent rate of bubbles, resulting in the increase of bubble residence time. And there was a synergetic effect of the rotational Re and d_g on the residence time. Besides, Re_a had positive effect on the bubble residence time under the condition of low level of Re (Re = 3482, 6964). Finally, the quadratic polynomial model was proven to be feasible to predict the residence time of bubble in the Taylor-Couette reactor. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the bubble dynamics within Taylor reactors and offers theoretical guidance for their operation.

关键词: Taylor–Couette reactor, CFD-DPM, Bubble trajectory, Residence time, RSM analysis

Hang Yang, Zhineng Li, Xiaoyong Yang, Shilong Du, Danyang Li, Yong Zhu, Zhishan Bai. CFD investigation on the effect of Taylor vortex flow on the dynamic characteristics of single bubble based on Lagrangian method[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2025, 87(11): 129-139.

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CFD investigation on the effect of Taylor vortex flow on the dynamic characteristics of single bubble based on Lagrangian method

CFD investigation on the effect of Taylor vortex flow on the dynamic characteristics of single bubble based on Lagrangian method

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