Comparative CFD simulations of gas transport in slug flow from periodic arrays with single or multiple bubbles

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative study of transport effects in slug flows through numerical models established upon volume-preserving periodic arrays of bubbles. The behaviour of the flow is investigated under an adiabatic laminar regime as usually found in microchannels, as well as in microscale fluid applications. Full 3D Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) are performed for three different cases of setups containing both single and multiple bubbles. Profiles of the bubbles' centroidal velocity are compared, as with the average mass flow rates calculated over the periodic boundaries of the domain.