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:null

Your Location：

Home >

Browse articles >

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：
  CLC：
- Received：23 July 2025，
  
  Revised：2025-09-28，
  
  Accepted：29 September 2025，
  
  Online First：30 October 2025，
  
  Published：2026-02
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
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：

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

F. Hernandez-Alvarado, D.V. Kalaga, S. Banerjee, M. Kawaji, Comparison of gas hold-up profiles in co-current, counter-current and batch bubble column reactors measured using gamma densitometry and the surface of revolution method, In: ASME 2016 Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting Collocated with the ASME 2016 Heat Transfer Summer Conference and the ASME 2016 14th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels, Washington, DC, USA (2016).

G. Besagni, F. Inzoli, Comprehensive experimental investigation of countercurrent bubble column hydrodynamics: holdup, flow regime transition, bubble size distributions, and local flow properties, Chem. Eng. Sci. 146 (2016) 259—290.

P. Rollbusch, M. Becker, M. Ludwig, A. Bieberle, M. Grünewald, U. Hampel, R. Franke, Experimental investigation of the influence of column scale, gas density and liquid properties on gas holdup in bubble columns, Int. J. Multiphas. Flow 75 (2015) 88—106.

G. Besagni, Bubble column fluid dynamics: a novel perspective for flow regimes and comprehensive experimental investigations, Int. J. Multiphas. Flow 135 (2021) 103510.

T. Ziegenhein, D. Lucas, G. Besagni, F. Inzoli, Experimental study of the liquid velocity and turbulence in a large-scale air—water counter-current bubble column, Exp. Therm. Fluid Sci. 111(2020)109955.

R.F. Mudde, T. Saito, Hydrodynamical similarities between bubble column and bubbly pipe flow, J. Fluid Mech. 437(2001)203—228.

L.C. Han, J. Fu, M. Li, S.G. Gong, N.N. Gao, C. Zhang, H.A. Luo, A theoretical unsteady-state model for k L of bubbles based on the framework of wide energy spectrum, AIChE J. 62 (4) (2016) 1007—1022.

G.E. Fortescue, J.R.A. Pearson, On gas absorption into a turbulent liquid, Chem. Eng. Sci. 22 (9) (1967) 1163—1176.

R. Rzehak, E. Krepper, Euler—Euler simulation of mass-transfer in bubbly flows, Chem. Eng. Sci. 155(2016)459—468.

A.M. Hissanaga, N. Padoin, E.E. Paladino, Mass transfer modeling and simulation of a transient homogeneous bubbly flow in a bubble column, Chem. Eng. Sci. 218 (2020) 115531.

Z.J. Chen, X.R. Zhang, B.S. Su, Influence of arc baffle configuration on gas—liquid mass transfer in flat-plate bubble column, Chem. Eng. Res. Des. 165 (2021)129—136.

H. Khan, R. Lehnigk, R. Rzehak, Euler—Euler simulation of absorption and desorption in co- and counter-current bubble column flows, Chem. Eng. Sci. 267(2023)118313.

L. Zhao, Y. Lu, D.L. Lu, Z.Y. Tang, Modelling for gas—liquid bubbling flow and mass transfer with OpenFOAM, Int. J. Multiphas. Flow 163(2023)104441.

W.E. Ranz, W.R. Marshall, Evaporation from drops: part I, Chem. Eng. Prog. 48 (3)(1952)141—146.

H. Brauer, Particle/fluid transport processes, Chem. Eng. Prog. 19 (1981) 61—99.

R. Higbie, The rate of absorption of a pure gas into a still liquids during short periods of exposure, Trans. Am. Inst. Chem. Eng. 31 (1935)365—389.

R.B. Bird, Transport phenomena, Appl. Mech. Rev. 55(1)(2002)R1—R2.

P.V. Danckwerts, Significance of liquid-film coefficients in gas absorption, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 43(6)(1951)1460—1467.

J.C. Lamont, D.S. Scott, An eddy cell model of mass transfer into the surface of a turbulent liquid, AIChE J. 16 (4)(1970)513—519.

Y. Kawase, B. Halard, M. Moo-Young, Theoretical prediction of volumetric mass transfer coefficients in bubble columns for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, Chem. Eng. Sci. 42(7) (1987)1609—1617.

R.S. Tang, C. Cui, D.X. Zhang, D.G. Li, J.Y. Li, X.Y. Xu, Experimental and CFD simulation study of the air-blowing process of iodine in nitric acid solution, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 61(36)(2022)13694—13709.

Z. Hao, L.B. Yang, S.T. Xiao, X.C. Liu, W.L. Zhao, CFD-PBE simulation of flow dynamics and mass transfer in two-stage countercurrent mixer-settler, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 62 (26)(2023)10237—10251.

P. Ranganathan, Numerical simulation of a gas—liquid oscillatory baffled column focusing on hydrodynamics and mass transfer, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 61 (26)(2022)9443—9455.

S. Kouzbour, F. Maniscalco, A. Buffo, M. Vanni, F.X. Grau, B. Gourich, Y. Stiriba, Effects of SDS surface-active agents on hydrodynamics and oxygen mass transfer in a square bubble column reactor: experimental and CFD modeling study, Int. J. Multiphas. Flow 165(2023)104486.

H.H. Zhang, K.Y. Guo, Y.L. Wang, A. Sayyar, T.F. Wang, Numerical simulations of the effect of liquid viscosity on gas—liquid mass transfer of a bubble column with a CFD-PBM coupled model, Int. J. Heat Mass Tran. 161(2020)120229.

T.F. Wang, J.F. Wang, Numerical simulations of gas—liquid mass transfer in bubble columns with a CFD-PBM coupled model, Chem. Eng. Sci. 62 (24) (2007)7107—7118.

K.Y. Guo, T.F. Wang, Y.F. Liu, J.F. Wang, CFD-PBM simulations of a bubble column with different liquid properties, Chem. Eng. J. 329(2017)116—127.

C.X. Li, Y.Z. Cui, X.G. Shi, J.S. Gao, X.Y. Lan, CFD simulation of mass transfer in bubble columns: detailed study of mass transfer models, Chem. Eng. Sci. 264 (2022)118173.

W.D. Deckwer, I. Adler, A. Zaidi, A comprehensive study on CO 2 -interphase mass transfer in vertic al cocurrent and countercurrent gas—liquid flow, Can. J. Chem. Eng. 56(1)(1978)43—55.

A. Tomiyama, Struggle with computational bubble dynamics, Multiphas. Sci. Technol. 10(4)(1998) 369—405.

A. Tomiyama, H. Tamai, I. Zun, S. Hosokawa, Transverse migration of single bubbles in simple shear flows, Chem. Eng. Sci. 57(11)(2002)1849—1858.

A.D. Burns, T. Frank, I. Hamill, J.M. Shi, The favre averaged drag model for turbulent dispersion in Eulerian multi-phase flows, In: 5th International Conference on Multiphase Flow, ICMF'04, Yokohama, Japan,392(2004).

S. Hosokawa, A. Tomiyama, S. Misaki, T. Hamada, Lateral migration of single bubbles due to the presence of wall, In: ASME 2002 Joint U.S.-European Fluids Engineering Division Conference, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, (2002) https://doi.org/10.1115/FEDSM2002-31148.

C. Laborde-Boutet, F. Larachi, N. Dromard, O. Delsart, D. Schweich, CFD simulation of bubble column flows: investigations on turbulence models in RANS approach, Chem. Eng. Sci. 64 (21) (2009) 4399—4413.

L.J. Xu, Z.H. Xia, X.F. Guo, C.X. Chen, Application of population balance model in the simulation of slurry bubble column, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 53(12)(2014) 4922—4930.

A.A. Troshko, Y.A. Hassan, A two-equation turbulence model of turbulent bubbly flows, Int. J. Multiphas. Flow 22 (11)(2001)1965—2000.

N. Varallo, G. Besagni, R. Mereu, Computational fluid dynamics simulation of the heterogeneous regime in a large-scale bubble column, Chem. Eng. Sci. 280 (2023)119090.

Z.P. Yao, S. Yan, T. Wang, C.X. Chen, Z.H. Xia, Bubble breakup criteria for the population balance model of gas—liquid flow simulations, Chem. Eng. Sci. 280 (2023)119078.

G.F. Versteeg, W.P.M. van Swaaij, Solubility and diffusivity of acid gases (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide) in aqueous alkanolamine solutions, J. Chem. Eng. Data 33(1)(1988)29—34.

M. Polli, M. Di Stanislao, R. Bagatin, E. Abu Bakr, M. Masi, Bubble size distribution in the sparger region of bubble columns, Chem. Eng. Sci. 57 (1) (2002) 197—205.

Views

Downloads

CSCD

Alert me when the article has been cited

Submit

Tools

Publicity Resources

Effects of internals on macroscopic fluid dynamics in a bubble column

Visual experimental study of nanofluids application to promote CO2 absorption in a bubble column

Numerical simulation of gas-liquid flow in the bubble column using Wray-Agarwal turbulence model coupled with population balance model

Bubble size modeling approach for the simulation of bubble columns

Exploration on the stability conditions in bubble columns by noncooperative game theory

Related Author

Chao Yang

Xiangyang Li

Haoliang Wang

Hui Yu

Qin Li

Jin Liang

Shijie Liu

Guisheng Qi

Related Institution

CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences

School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University

Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Higee-Oriented Chemical Engineering, North University of China

Research Center of the Ministry of Education for High Gravity Engineering and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology

State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology

⁰