Experimental PIV and LIF characterization of a bubble column flow

Experimental 2D Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements, with uniform background lighting and Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) of the tracking particles, were performed in order to characterize the air-water biphasic flow and the 2D bubble column rising velocity in static water. Some applications require knowledge of the simultaneity of two-phase flow characteristics. The two phase flow air/water are common application in industry as chemical, hydraulic and nuclear industry, water treatment by aeration, and measurements are implemented to characterize the behaviour of the air bubbles column flow. The bubble flow studied in this paper is related to the optimization of the aeration in hydraulic turbines with micro-bubbles. The first step of this study, presented in the paper, is a complete characterization of a bubble column issued from a metallic sparger with holes of 0.5 mm diameter. For its complete characterization is determined simultaneously, via image processing technics, the flow velocity field induced by the column of bubbles in water, and the bubbles features: the bubble ascension velocity, diameter variation, interfacial area and shape factor. The results are compared with bibliographical data.