Bubble column reactors can be simulated by the two fluid model (TFM) coupled with the population balance equation (PBE). For the large industrial bubble columns

the compressibility due to the pressure difference may introduce notable bubble size variation. In order to address the compressibility effect

the PBE should be reformulated and coupled with the compressible TFM. In this work

the PBE with a compressibility term was formulated from single bubble dynamics

the mean Sauter diameters predicted by the compressible TFM coupled with the PBE were compared with the analytical solutions obtained by the ideal gas law. It was proven that the mesoscale formulations presented in this work were physically consistent with the macroscale modeling. It can be used to simulate large industrial plants when the compressibility induced bubble size variation is important.