Comparison of turbulence models for bubble column reactors

•CFD simulations of a bubble column are done by using k-ε model, RSM and LES models.•Modeling approach is developed for conservation equations of k, ε and RSM.•True k-ε model and true RSM are compared against the std. k-ε model and RSM as well as against LES model.•The severity of modeling assumptions and their validity for two-phase flow is discussed in great details.