Comparative evaluation of interphase mass transfer models for co- and counter-current bubble columns using two-fluid CFD-PBM simulations

Li Keran; Ma Xi; Yan Shuai; Chen Caixia; Xia Zihong

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2025.09.021

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Comparative evaluation of interphase mass transfer models for co- and counter-current bubble columns using two-fluid CFD-PBM simulations

Updated：2026-05-14

- Comparative evaluation of interphase mass transfer models for co- and counter-current bubble columns using two-fluid CFD-PBM simulations
- Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol. 90, Issue 2, Pages: 308-325(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
  School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo 315211, China
- Author bio：
  
  Corresponding author. E-mail address: zihxia@ecust.edu.cn (Z. Xia).
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1016/j.cjche.2025.09.021
  CLC：
- Received：23 July 2025，
  
  Revised：2025-09-28，
  
  Accepted：29 September 2025，
  
  Online First：30 October 2025，
  
  Published：2026-02
- Accepted：
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Li Keran, Ma Xi, Yan Shuai, et al. Comparative evaluation of interphase mass transfer models for co- and counter-current bubble columns using two-fluid CFD-PBM simulations[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026, 90(2): 308-325.
DOI：

Li Keran, Ma Xi, Yan Shuai, et al. Comparative evaluation of interphase mass transfer models for co- and counter-current bubble columns using two-fluid CFD-PBM simulations[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026, 90(2): 308-325. DOI： 10.1016/j.cjche.2025.09.021.

摘要

Abstract

Interphase mass transfer in gas—liquid bubble columns is commonly modeled using three distinct theoretical frameworks: single-bubble theory

gas—liquid slip velocity assumption

and eddy-bubble interactions. This study presents

for the first time

a comparative computational fluid dynamic—population balance model (CFD-PBM) evaluation under both co-current and counter-current fl

ows

systematically assessing five established models—Ranz—Marshall and Brauer(single-bubble model)

Higbie and Bird(slip velocity model)

and Kawase (eddy cell model)—within the ANSYS Fluent two-fluid framework. The simulations are rigorously validated against experimental CO

absorption/desorption data encompassing both co-current and counter-current flow configurations. Results indicate that the Kawase eddy cell model shows agreement within ±15% with experimental measurements

particularly under counter-current conditions

due to its incorporation of turbulence effects. While the single-bubble model (Brauer) and the slip velocity approach (Higbie and Bird) reproduce qualitative trends

they exhibit considerable quantitative deviations. The Ranz—Marshall model proves inadequate for accurate mass transfer predictions. Analysis of bubble size distribution reveals its strong dependence on flow regimes. Notably

counter-current operation significantly enhances mass transfer performance compared to co-current flow

primarily through increased gas holdup and enhanced turbulent mixing. These insights offer valuable guidance for both model selection and the design optimization of bubble column reactors.

关键词

Keywords

references

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