An eulerian-lagrangian approach to the computational fluid dynamics modeling of slurry bubble columns.

This thesis investigates the hydrodynamic modeling of slurry bubble columns, it does so through within an Eulerian-Lagrangian-Lagrangian computational fluid dynamics framework in order to capture complex microscale phase interactions. First, the interaction between bubbles and particles is investigated through an empirical drag closure model developed from experimental data. This correlates the relative drag coefficient of rising bubbles with the solid volume fraction and particle Stokes number. Next, a baseline two-phase model is implemented and validated within the proprietary CFD solver FoxBerry. This two-phase simulation considers algorithmic modifications for dense regime stability. A subgrid-scale turbulence model is validated through experimental data together with the bubble dimension estimation method. Finally, some indications are given on how to extend the model to three-phase flows, implementing specific solid-phase simplifications to overcome the burden of resolving millions of discrete elements while maintaining physical accuracy for reactor design. The project was carried out at the Eindhoven university of technology under the supervision of professor Hans Kuipers within an Erasmus exchange program.