On the liquid turbulence energy spectra in two-phase bubbly flow in a large diameter vertical pipe

The liquid turbulence structure of air–water bubbly flow in a 200 mm diameter vertical pipe was experimentally investigated. A dual optical probe was used to measure the bubble characteristics, while the liquid turbulence was measured using hot-film anemometry. Experiments were performed at two liquid superficial velocities of 0.2 and 0.68 m/s for gas superficial velocities in the range of 0–0.18 m/s, corresponding to an area averaged void fraction up to 13.6%. In general, there is an increase in the liquid turbulence energy when the bubbles are introduced into the liquid flow. The increase in the energy mainly occurs over a range of length scales that are on the order of the bubble diameter. A suppression of the turbulence was observed close to the wall at very low void fraction flows. Initially, the suppression occurs in the low wave number range and then extends to higher wave numbers as the suppression is increased.