Calculation and validation of interphase force model for bubbly flow based on OpenFOAM

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  • (Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering,Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

Online published: 2026-06-30

Abstract

To systematically investigate the effects of different interphase force models on numerical simulation results, transient numerical simulations of gas-liquid two-phase flow were carried out by using the Euler-Euler two-fluid model based on the open-source platform OpenFOAM. The prediction performances of various interphase force closures were analyzed, and the accuracy of each model was validated by comparison with experimental data and reference results. The study covered low, medium, and high Reynolds number conditions, corresponding to various gas-liquid flow regimes. It focused on revealing the mechanisms of drag, lift, wall lubrication, and turbulent dispersion forces governing bubble dynamics and radial void fraction distribution. The results show that there exists no universal model valid for the entire range of flow conditions, and the choice of interphase force models depends on the specific bubbly flow regime and Reynolds number range. At low Reynolds numbers, the drag force model dominates the bubble migration process. At high Reynolds numbers, the lift force model plays a dominant role in phase distribution patterns, shifting the void fraction peak from the wall region to the core flow region. The turbulent dispersion force tends to homogenize the radial void fraction distribution. Furthermore, the coupling effect among lift force, wall lubrication force and turbulent dispersion force significantly improves the prediction accuracy of radial phase distribution. The simulation results determine the optimal combinations of interphase force models within different Reynolds number ranges. Based on a systematic analysis of the mechanisms of each interphase force under various Reynolds numbers, this paper proposes a strategic framework for selecting interphase force models, which provides a theoretical basis and optimization guidance for the multiphase flow model configuration in numerical simulations of complex bubble flows. The study further confirms that, under low gas fraction conditions, the phase distribution of vertical adiabatic bubbly flow can be accurately predicted even if bubble coalescence and breakup effects are neglected, which provides a feasible reference for the simplification of multiphase flow models.

Cite this article

DONG Zhipeng, GAO Hongtao . Calculation and validation of interphase force model for bubbly flow based on OpenFOAM[J]. Journal of Dalian Maritime University, 2026 , 52(2) : 77 -86 . DOI: 10.16411/j.cnki.issn1006-7736.2026.02.008

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