Characterization of multiphase flow in bubble columns using KT-1 signature and fractal dimension

• Cross-sectional phase distribution of air and PVC (solid phase) is obtained using dual energy X-ray tomography.
• Effect of variation of solid concentration on phase distribution of air and PVC is investigated.
• Fractal dimension and KT-1 signature have been employed to characterize the flow dynamics in the bubble column reactor.

This work presents the analysis of phase fraction distribution in bubble column reactor using KT-1 signature and fractal dimension. The experiment was carried out using X-ray CT scanner at Leibniz University Hannover. Convolution back projection algorithm is used to obtain the cross-sectional attenuation coefficient distribution. Individual phase distributions of the three phases (air, water and PVC), across the column cross-section, have been obtained using dual energy X-ray tomography. This paper reports measurement of phase fraction distribution at a cross-section level located at 3.2 m from the inlet. The effect of variation of PVC concentration on phase fraction distribution of air and PVC has been investigated. Analysis of reconstructed phase fraction using KT-1 signature and fractal dimension reveals interesting information regarding the flow regime transition and mixing phenomenon in the bubble column.

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