Deciphering bubble dynamics in confined quiescent liquid: A numerical approach

The present study performs numerical simulations to investigate the dynamics of air bubbles in a stationary liquid column under standard and low gravity conditions. It employs a coupled approach that integrates the level set method with the classical volume of fluid methodology to simulate bubble formation, detachment, and rise. The simulation results align closely with empirical correlation data from the literature, showing a maximum deviation margin of 3.64%. The study examines the influence of static contact angle on bubble detachment in air–water and air–ethyl alcohol systems, along with the effects of wall interactions, liquid surface tension, and gravity on bubble behavior. The findings reveal that higher static contact angles and greater liquid surface tension increase both the bubble detachment diameter and detachment time, whereas reduced gravity decreases these parameters. Additionally, larger column widths, higher liquid surface tension, and stronger gravity increase bubble rise velocity. While column width minimally affects bubble diameter and detachment time, narrower columns and lower liquid surface tension exhibit a greater propensity for bubble coalescence.