Computational Study of the Dynamics of the Taylor Bubble

We perform high-resolution numerical simulations of three-dimensional dynamics of an elongated bubble in a microchannel at moderate Reynolds numbers up to 1800. For this purpose, we use the coupled Brinkman penalization and volume of fluid methods implemented in the open-source framework Basilisk. The new results are validated with available experimental data and compared with previous numerical and theoretical predictions. We extend existing results to regimes with significant inertia, which are characterized by intense deformations of the bubble, including cases with azimuthal symmetry breaking. Various dynamical features are analyzed in terms of their spatiotemporal characteristics, such as frequencies and wavelengths of the bubble surface undulations and vortical structures in the flow.

Automated summary

In this study, high-resolution numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the three-dimensional dynamics of an elongated bubble in a microchannel at moderate Reynolds numbers. The new results were validated with experimental data and extended to regimes with significant inertia. Various dynamical features, such as frequencies and wavelengths of bubble surface undulations and vortical structures in the flow, were analyzed.