Population balance modeling in a
gas–liquid two-phase bubbly
flow allows us to predict the bubble size distribution. The prediction
of bubble size distribution is of utmost importance as it prevails
the heat, mass, and momentum transport mechanisms. In the present
work, numerical simulations of gas–liquid two-phase flow in
a vertical pipe have been performed using population balance modeling.
The effects of different coalescence and breakage models have been
studied. The wall peak and core peak case in the bubbly flow regime
is considered for the prediction of the radial distribution of the
gas void fraction, interfacial area concentration, bubble size distribution,
Sauter mean diameter, and gas and liquid velocities. Numerical simulations
were performed with the Euler–Euler two-fluid model and the k–ω SST turbulence model. The
population balance equation is solved using the traditional class
method. The combination of Brownian coalescence and Ghadiri breakage
model is recommended for the prediction of the wall peak case, whereas
the combination of Luo coalescence and Ghadiri breakage model is recommended
for the prediction of the core peak case.