Isothermal Bubble Motion Through a Rotating Liquid

Abstract

An analytical and experimental study of isothermal bubble motion through a liguid which is itself in motion is presented. Both analytical and experimental results are reported for the velocities and trajectories of oxygen bubbles moving through a liquid annulus which is rotating at angular velocities ranging from 500 to 1500 rpm. Results are presented for both distilled water and glycerin. The analytical prediction of the trajectories and velocities showed good agreement with the experimental data. It was found that the bubbles, which were injected at the exterior of the liquid annulus, spiralled inward rapidly and, due to the large pressure gradient in the radial direction, did not reach a constant or terminal velocity.