Laser Doppler velocimetry measurement of turbulent bubbly channel flow

Measurements of the turbulence properties of gas–liquid bubbly flows with mono-dispersed 1-mm-diameter bubbles are reported for upward flow in a rectangular channel. Bubble size and liquid-phase velocity were measured using image-processing and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV), respectively. A description is given of the special arrangements for two-dimensional LDV needed to obtain reliable bubbly flow data, in particular the configuration of the optical system, the distinction of signals from the bubbles and liquid phase. To create the mono-dispersed bubbles, a small amount of surfactant (3-pentanol of 20 ppm) was added to the flow. Whilst this caused a drastic change in bubble size distribution and flow field, it did not affect the turbulence properties of the single-phase flow. In this study, experiments with three different bulk Reynolds numbers (1,350, 4,100, 8,200) were conducted with void fractions less than 1.2%. In all three cases, there was a very high accumulation of bubbles near the wall with bubble slip at the wall. The mean velocity profile of the liquid phase was steeper near the wall owing to the driving force of buoyant bubbles, and the streamwise turbulent intensity in the vicinity of the wall was enhanced. Furthermore the mean velocity profiles of the liquid phase were flattened in the wide region around the channel center. This region was lifted up by the bubble sheet near the wall, giving it a plug-like flow structure. In addition, the turbulent fluctuation and Reynolds stress in the liquid phase are very much suppressed in this region. This strong preferential accumulation near the wall produces the dramatic change of the whole flow structure.