CFD simulation of bubble column reactors: importance of drag force formulation

CFD simulation has been presented for the flow in bubble column reactors. Procedure has been given for the specification of the drag force and the radial lift force on the basis of drift flux constants. An excellent agreement has been shown between the experimental and simulated profiles of gas hold-up and axial liquid velocity. Explanation has been provided for the enhancement in the slip velocity in the heterogeneous regime