能量最小多尺度(energy-minimization multi-scale,EMMS)方法已经被应用于气液体系中群平衡(population balance model,PBM)模型的改进。EMMS模型可计算气泡破碎聚并过程的能量,进而获得聚并速率的修正因子。应用这一模型对高气速鼓泡塔进行了模拟计算,并进一步对比了均一尺径模型、CFD-PBM模型以及CFD-PBM-EMMS模型的模拟结果与实验数据。结果表明,在高表观气速条件下,基于EMMS方法的群平衡模型可以更加准确地预测鼓泡塔中不同高度的气泡尺径分布和轴向液速,同时提高了对整体气含率和局部气含率的模拟准确性。在表观气速为0.16 m·s^-1和0.25 m·s^-1时,CFD-PBM-EMMS模型对气泡尺径分布的预测精度更高,同时整体气含率模拟的相对误差下降为5%和15%,局部气含率模拟平均相对误差下降为8%和17%。
The energy-minimization multi-scale(EMMS) model has been introduced to improve the population balance modeling(PBM) of gas-liquid flows. The energy for bubble breakup and coalescence can be obtained from the EMMS model and then used to derive a correction factor for the coalescence rate. This new model is applied in this study to simulate the bubble columns of high flow rates. Simulations using the three different models, namely, the constant-bubble-size model, the CFD-PBM model and the CFD-PBM-EMMS model, are compared with experimental data. The simulation of CFD-PBM-EMMS gives better prediction for bubble size distribution and liquid axial velocity at different heights as well as the overall and local gas holdup. The relative error of global gas holdup reduces to 5% or 15%, and the mean relative error of local gas holdup reduces to 8% or 17% for 0.16 m·s^-1 or 0.25 m·s^-1 of superficial gas velocity.