Numerical visualization of two-phase plume formation in a stratification flow environment.

Evolution of two-phase plumes driven by air bubble buoyancy in a stratification ambient in a rectangular tank is visualized numerically by means of two-phase flow theory and large-eddy simulation technology. With a focus on the discrete nature of the buoyant dispersed phase and the role of momentum exchange between two phases in plume formation, we investigated the phenomena of mass entraining-in and peeling-out for continuous phase plume, which may result from a complicated and intricate interplay with phase interaction and dynamic stability of the stratification ambient, respectively. Numerical simulations show that although mass entraining-in and peeling-out appear to be distinguished entirely in the vertical direction, they interact or couple locally within inner of the plume and present a discontinuity in nature. The numerically visualized three-dimensional density field also indicates the same plume characteristics.