Fluid dynamics in a bubble column: New experiments and simulations

New high quality experimental data for the fluid dynamics of a bubble column are used to validate a baseline set of closure relations for bubbly flows. Development and validation of such closure relations is an important and active area of research, since they facilitate CFD simulations on industrial scales by means of the Euler–Euler two-fluid model. The new dataset features in particular large spatial and temporal resolution and high accuracy for a comprehensive set of observables and a range of different conditions. The closure model, which has been validated previously for a range of different conditions, is shown to agree with the new data quite well. In this way, the confidence in the model for predictive applications, such as optimization and scale-up of chemical engineering processes, is further enhanced.