Clustering in high Re monodispersed bubbly flows

Experiments were conducted to determine the amount of clustering that occurs in bubbly flows for which the liquid motion can be described, with a certain degree of accuracy, using potential flow theory. A Hele-Shaw-type channel was used in which bubble overlap was avoided. Direct video image analysis was performed to calculate bubbles properties and identify cluster formation. Despite the significant wall influence of this configuration, it was found that the bubbles do form aggregates with a statistical horizontal tendency. The flow structure was also analyzed using the radial probability distribution, giving indications that support the clustering hypothesis.