A 2-D axisymmetric hydrodynamic model of bubble column was developed

by considering lift force and turbulent dispersion force on bubbles as main mechanism of stable distribution of gas holdup. A commercial code Fluent 6.3 was used for calculation

and the model gave a stable 2-D flow pattern

in which distributions of gas holdup and liquid velocity were in good agreement with experimental data. The model correctly demonstrated the influence of superficial gas velocity (0.12—0.62 m·s-1) and column diameter (ø200 mm

ø500 mm

ø800 mm) on flow pattern. Furthermore

hydrodynamic variables predicted by the model in larger scale columns agreed with published empirical correlations.