BUBBLE BREAKUP AND COALESCENCE IN TURBULENT GAS-LIQUID DISPERSIONS

Abstract

Theoretical models are proposed to describe bubble breakup and coalescence in a turbulent gas-liquid dispersion. The first model, which is mainly based on probablistic theory, gives reasonable prediction of bubble breakage frequency in terms of the liquid density, interfacial tension, bubble diameter, and the turbulent energy dissipation rate. The second model predicts the binary bubble coalescence frequency as a function of the liquid viscosity, interfacial tension, bubble diameter, turbulent energy dissipation rate, and the surface immobility parameter. Favorable agreement between the breakage and coalescence models and the experimental evidence indicates that these models could be used to predict dispersion properties such as bubble size distributions and interfacial areas.