SIMULATION OF AN AXISYMMETRIC RISING BUBBLE BY A MULTIPLE RELAXATION TIME LATTICE BOLTZMANN METHOD

Abstract

In this paper, the lattice Boltzmann method is employed to simulate buoyancy-driven motion of a single bubble. First, an axisymmetric bubble motion under buoyancy force in an enclosed duct is investigated for some range of Eötvös number and a wide range of Archimedes and Morton numbers. Numerical results are compared with experimental data and theoretical predictions, and satisfactory agreement is shown. It is seen that increase of Eötvös or Archimedes number increases the rate of deformation of the bubble. At a high enough Archimedes value and low Morton numbers breakup of the bubble is observed. Then, a bubble rising and finally bursting at a free surface is simulated. It is seen that at higher Archimedes numbers the rise velocity of the bubble is greater and the center of the free interface rises further. On the other hand, at high Eötvös values the bubble deforms more and becomes more stretched in the radial direction, which in turn results in lower rise velocity and, hence, lower elevations for the center of the free surface.