Numerical simulation of a bubble rising in an environment consisting of Xanthan gum

An improved numerical algorithm for front tracking method is developed to simulate a bubble rising in viscous liquid. In the new numerical algorithm, volume correction is introduced to conserve the bubble volume while tracking the bubble’s rising and deforming. Volume flux conservation is adopted to solve the Navier–Stokes equation for fluid flow using finite volume method. Non-Newtonian fluids are widely used in industry such as feed and energy industries. In this research we used Xanthan gum which is a microbiological polysaccharide. In order to obtain the properties of the Xanthan gum, such as viscosity, storage and loss modulus, shear rate, etc., it was necessary to do an amplitude sweep and steady flow test in a rheometer with a concentric cylinder as geometry. Based on the data given and using a numerical regression, the coefficients required by Giesekus model are obtained. With these coefficients, it is possible to simulate the comportment of the fluid by the use of the developed algorithm. Once the data given by OpenFOAM is acquired, it is compared with the experimental data.