Numerical simulation of bubble separation length in a gas–liquid separator based on the Euler–Lagrange method

In this study, the bubble separation behavior in a gas–liquid separator is numerically investigated on the basis of the Euler–Lagrange approach, in which the forces acting on bubbles in a swirling flow field are modeled to calculate the trajectories of the bubbles. By adopting this approach, the effects of five parameters, namely, back pressure, Reynolds number, bubble diameter, void fraction, and swirl number, on separation performance in terms of pressure loss, separation efficiency, separation length, and split ratio are computed and analyzed. On the basis of the analysis, correlations of separation length with the two main parameters are established, which can serve as a basis for the optimal design of separator.