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On mixing a density interface by a bubble plume

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 August 2016

Iran E. Lima Neto ,
Silvana S. S. Cardoso  and
Andrew W. Woods
Iran E. Lima Neto
Affiliation:
BP Institute, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0EZ, UK Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3RA, UK
Silvana S. S. Cardoso
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3RA, UK
Andrew W. Woods*
Affiliation:
BP Institute, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0EZ, UK Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3RA, UK
*
†Email address for correspondence: andy@bpi.cam.ac.uk
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Abstract

We describe new experiments in which a bubble plume, produced from a point source of bubbles, rises through an ambient fluid composed of two layers of fluid of different density. In the lower layer, the speed of the plume exceeds the bubble rise speed and the motion is well described using classical theory of turbulent buoyant plumes. As the mixture enters the upper layer, it is either buoyant and rises to the top of the layer, or is negatively buoyant and forms a fountain. In our experiments, in which a fountain forms in the upper layer, the bubble rise speed exceeds the characteristic speed of this fountain, and a separated flow develops. The bubbles rise to the top of the system, while the lower layer fluid in the fountain rises a finite distance into the upper layer, entrains some of the upper layer fluid, and then collapses. This mixture of fluids then feeds a growing layer of density which is intermediate between the upper and lower layer. The height of rise of the fountain scales with the square of the Froude number of the fountain and the rate of entrainment of upper layer fluid into the fountain is directly proportional to the height of the fountain. This is analogous to the scaling for single-phase fountains with Froude numbers in the same range, $1<Fr<7$, but the constants of proportionality are smaller. We illustrate the relevance of the work for the design of mixing and aeration systems in freshwater reservoirs.

JFM classification

Drops and Bubbles: Bubble dynamics Multiphase and Particle-laden Flows: Gas/liquid flow Convection: Plumes/thermals
Type
Rapids
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 802 , 10 September 2016 , R3
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Copyright
© 2016 Cambridge University Press 

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