In the concept of a microstructured bubble column reactor,
meshes
coated with catalyst can cut the bubbles, which in turn results in
high interfacial area and enhanced interface hydrodynamics. In previous
work, we developed a closure model for the fate of bubbles interacting
with a wire mesh based on the outcomes of energy balance analysis.
In this paper, the model is validated using Euler–Lagrange
simulations against two experimental cases of microstructured bubble
columns. Before validation of the model, the definition of the deceleration
thickness, as used in the calculation of the virtual mass term, is
refined to introduce the effects of liquid viscosity and wire thickness.
Proceeding with the validation, the inclusion of our cutting closure
model results in an excellent match of the bubble size reduction by
the wire mesh with the experimental data. Consequently, the simulations
produce a more accurate prediction of the reactor performance for
the gaseous reaction in view of the pH and gas holdup profiles. The
effect of liquid viscosity on the bubble size reduction by the wire
mesh is replicated accurately as well. Noticeably, the significance
of bubble coalescence and breakup in bubble dynamics overperforms
the role of bubble cutting at high superficial gas velocities; thus,
further improvement is needed there. Finally, based on the validated
cutting model, we share some perspectives on the design of wire meshes
to increase the bubble interfacial area.