Numerical investigation regarding the influence of 3-D marangoni flow on bubble behaviour in a rotating cylinder

The migration of gas bubbles immersed in a liquid under the action of a temperature gradient and surface tension (Marangoni flow) in a zero gravity environment is numerically investigated for different Ma, Re, and Pr (Marangoni, Reynolds, and Prandtl numbers). The full Navier-Stokes equations as well as the energy equation for temperature gradients are solved incorporating a volume of fluid (VOF). Finite Volume method, and the surface tension force is modeled by a continuum surface force (CSF). The axisymmetric model is further extended for a 3-D geometry to investigate the case of a rotating cylinder to enhance bubble merging behavior in a Marangoni flow. It has been verified that the calculated results are in agreement with available experimental and numerical results. Rotational force can effect the enhancement of bubble migration and contact between the bubbles in microgravity. It is also concluded that the VOF is able to simulate two-phase flow under microgravity conditions. © 2011, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.