Modeling and simulation of gas-liquid-solid three-phase flows based on level set method

A new model is presented for three-dimensional simulation of gas-liquid-solid three-phase flows based on a combined level set method and discrete particle approach, where the various interactions of particle-bubble, bubble-liquid, and particle-liquid are taken into account. The validity of the simulation following this model is examined through several typical three-phase flow phenomena including the bubble formation and rising from single orifice and multi-orifices, and the particle entrainment in liquid-solid suspensions. The particle effect on bubble formation and rising has been studied focusing on the effect whether the particles are present or not, and the effect of bubble-induced liquid flow on the particle behavior is investigated. The simulated results coincide well with the experimental findings. The presented model can predict the characteristics of discrete phases, i.e., bubble and particle, in three-phase flows.