A three-dimensional study of Taylor bubble turning in two phase downflow

Abstract

In two phase downwards inclined pipe flow with large Taylor bubbles, the bubbles may propagate faster or slower than the liquid depending on the flow parameters, particularly the mixture velocity. The velocity of bubble turning has been determined in a 3-dimensional slug flow study using CFX 4.3. The free-surface simulation was conducted using a moving wall boundary. Two different methods of liquid admittance into the computational domain were required to simulate the behaviour of the bubble front before and after the turning point. Close agreement was obtained with air-water experimental data in a linch diameter pipe for a downward angle of-15°.