Experimental study of gas‐induced liquid‐flow structures in bubble columns

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Abstract
The computer‐automated radioactive‐particle tracking (CARPT) technique is used to investigate liquid recirculation and turbulence in bubble columns. Experiments are conducted in air–water bubble columns of different sizes, with various gas distributors, and operated over a range of superficial gas velocities. This study covers gas–liquid flows from the bubbly regime to the churn turbulent regime. The time‐averaged spatial flow structure, axial liquid velocity profiles, Reynolds shear stress, and turbulence intensities profiles are analyzed for different columns and flow conditions. Supplementary experiments, using the hot‐probe anemometry technique, are performed at selected flow conditions, and the results are compared with the corresponding ones from CARPT measurements. The Reynolds stress determined by CARPT was compared with that obtained by hot‐film anemometry in an independent investigation by Menzel et al. (1990).