Large-eddy simulations of bubble plumes with and without crossflow

A large-eddy simulation based Eulerian-Lagrangian model is employed to study bubble plumes with and without crossflows. A relatively dilute bubble plume is simulated in two different scenarios: an initially stagnant tank and an open channel with a fully turbulent approach flow. The model results are validated with ADV and Ply experimental data for both cases and reasonably good agreement between simulated and observed velocities are found. The impact of the crossflow on the structure of the plume, the turbulence intensity and the resulting instantaneous turbulent structures are described.