Experimental study and prediction by computational fluid dynamics on self-induced sloshing due to bubble flow in a rectangular vessel

Self-induced sloshing is an oscillatory phenomenon of a free liquid surface due to the flow of a fluid. This phenomenon has been reported in some gas–liquid reactors, and it is important to predict and prevent its occurrence for the safe operation of the reactors. However, the fundamental knowledge on the self-induced sloshing by bubble flow, such as the frequency and amplitude, is insufficient, and the occurrence condition has not been clarified. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of self-induced sloshing by bubble flow experimentally. We attempt to reproduce self-induced sloshing by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and establish a CFD model for the prediction of the occurrence of self-induced sloshing. In the experiments, air bubbles were dispersed into a liquid from the bottom of a rectangular vessel. The effects of the air flow rate and static liquid height on the characteristics of self-induced sloshing were investigated experimentally by image analysis. The occurrence of self-induced sloshing was confirmed by increasing the airflow rate at a specific static liquid height. The amplitude reached a maximum at the static liquid height, where self-induced sloshing was most likely to occur, and the frequency decreased with increasing static liquid height. Next, in order to reproduce the self-induced sloshing through CFD, an appropriate drag model of the bubbles was selected. Although the amplitude was overestimated due to the absence of the foam layer, the predicted frequency agreed well with the experimental value. Finally, the movement of the circulation flow was analyzed, and its correlation with the self-induced sloshing was clarified.