Validation of Two-Fluid Eulerian CFD Modeling for Microbubble Drag Reduction Across a Wide Range of Reynolds Numbers

Abstract

An Eulerian two-fluid computational fluid dynamics model has been developed for flows with microbubble drag reduction (MBDR). This paper focuses on recent validation studies for MBDR flows across a spectrum of Reynolds numbers. Direct numerical simulations and two sets of experimental flat plate boundary layer measurements are studied. In this paper, the interfacial dynamics and other models used are first presented, followed by detailed comparisons with the validation cases. Emphasis is placed on the modeling strategies required to capture measured volume fraction, bubble size, and bubble velocity distributions, as well as skin friction drag reduction.