Flow around individual Taylor bubbles rising in stagnant polyacrylamide (PAA) solutions

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2006

Authors

Sousa, RG (Author) Other; Riethmuller, ML (Author) Other; Pinto, AMFR (Author) FEUP; Campos, JBLM (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics

Vol. 135 No. 1

Pages: 16-31

ISSN: 0377-0257

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 24 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 27 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Mechanical engineering

CORDIS: Technological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-MAA

DOI: 10.1016/j.jnnfm.2005.12.007

Abstract (EN): The flow around single Taylor bubbles rising in stagnant non-Newtonian solutions of polyacrylamide (PAA) polymer was studied using a technique employing simultaneous particle image velocimetry (PIV) and shadowgraphy. Solutions with different weight percentages of polymer, varying from 0.01 to 0.80 wt.%, were used to cover a wide range of flow regimes. The rheological fluid properties and pipe dimension yielded Reynolds numbers between 2 and 1160, and Deborah numbers up to 115. The shape of the bubbles rising in the different solutions was compared and quantified by fitting correlations. The flow around the nose of the bubbles was found to be similar for all conditions studied. Velocity profiles were measured and analysed in the liquid film around the bubbles. A comparison of bubble wake flow patterns was made. For the 0.10 and 0.20 wt.% PAA solutions, long wakes with a recirculation region were observed. Below the wakes, a flow of stretched liquid was found. Negative wakes were also observed for the more concentrated solutions.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16