Two-phase flows with free surfaces (TSF.6102)

This project aims at an improved modelling of turbulent dispersed two-phase flows with free surfaces relevant for industrial processes and devices using a three-fluid approach with seperate conservation equations for the liquid phase and small and large gas bubbles. Special attention will be given to the influence of turbulence and to the effects of changes in size of gas bubbles, either due to compressibility effects and/or mass exchange with the continuous phase. The models will be incorporated in a commercial CFD code and tested for industrially relevant two-phase flows. The modelling effort will be supported with detailed studies of the effects of turbulence, compressibility, coalescence and break-up, and mass exchange with the continuous phase at the micro level. This will be accomplished with a new class of numerical techniques which are capable of accurately computing compressibility and mass exchange effects in gas-liquid two-phase flows.

The combined approach of studying two-phase flows at the macro, meso and microlevel is necessary to improve our understanding of the basic physics involved and to arrive at practical, industrially relevant, new techniques. It is made possible by close collaboration between groups in Chemcial technology (Kuipers), Applied Physics (Lohse/Prosperetti) and Applied Mathematics (van der Vegt).