Investigation of the use of laser-Doppler velocimetry in two-phase bubbly flows

Understanding the dynamic phenomena of viability loss of shear sensitive cells and bubble breakage and coalescence within airlift reactors requires knowledge of local, liquid-phase hydrodynamics. The laser-Doppler velocimeter (LDV) is a non-invasive instrument which may be used to obtain this information. Experimental procedures and software were developed to detect and measure Doppler bursts in two-phase flow in a split-cylinder airlift reactor. Off-line analysis of the data indicated a detection rate approximately one order of magnitude greater than that observed using an available commercial frequency tracker. Approximately 400 to 500 observations are needed for the ensemble mean to characterize the local mean velocity to within ±5% for a superficial gas velocity of 10.4 cm/s, the highest superficial gas velocity used in these studies. The limitations, prospects, and signal-processing options for LDV in this application are also discussed