Numerical Simulation of a Small Bubble Impinging Onto an Inclined Wall

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical modeling of the collision between a small bubble -of a few hundred microns, initially moving at terminal velocity, and an inclined wall, with relevance to drag reduction schemes. The theoretical model uses the lubrication theory to describe the film drainage as the bubble approaches the wall, and compute the force exerted by the wall as the integral of the excess pressure due to the bubble deformation. The model is solved using finite differences. The trajectory of the bubble is then determined using equations of classical mechanics. This study is an extension of previous work by Moraga, Cancelos and Lahey, [Multiphase Science and Technology, 18,(2),2006] where the simulation and comparison with experiments was carried out for a horizontal wall. In the present study where the wall is inclined, the bubble trajectory is no longer onedimensional and axisymmetry around the vertical axis is lost, allowing for more complex behavior. The influence of various parameters (Reynolds number, Weber number) is examined. Numerical results are compared with the experimental data from Tsao and Koch [Physics Fluids 9, 44, 1997]