Author(s): Cesar Augusto Vaz Santos; Catia Sofia Batista Taborda; Cristina Maria Sena Fael

Linked Author(s): Cátia Taborda, Cristina Fael

Keywords: Bubble curtain; Numerical study; Hydrodynamics

Abstract: Air bubble curtains have had several successful applications, namely, the containment of oil spillages, the reduction of riverbed erosion, and debris control. The relatively simple device provides unique advantages by meeting both ecological and navigational requirements, as it is fish-friendly and does not constitute an impediment to the movement of boats. Despite previous field and experimental applications, understanding the underlying mechanisms of the bubble plume and the effects of the momentum exchange on the flow field remains an open matter. A numerical study is conducted, where the hydrodynamics of the bubble plume is analysed in order to determine the upstream and downstream area of influence of the bubble curtain. Numerical simulations are conducted in ANSYS Fluent using a two-phase unsteady model. The numerical results are in good agreement with the literature. Vortices are detected at the upstream and downstream vicinity of the bubble curtain device, which is concurrent with previous works. Near the surface, the upwelling flow turns into an outwelling flow causing a rapid decrease in streamwise velocities and the occurrence of a backflow upstream of the bubble curtain. On the downstream side, streamwise velocities decrease along the water column but near the surface, the flow accelerates. Valuable information is obtained on the bubble distribution throughout the water column.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/978-90-833476-1-5_iahr40wc-p0433-cd

Year: 2023