Theoretical analysis of the onset of gas entrainment from a stratified region through multiple branches

A theoretical analysis has been developed to predict the critical height of the onset of gas entrainment (OGE) during dual and triple discharge from a stratified two-phase region. The two and three discharge branches are mounted on a circular wall, resembling a circular reservoir of a CANDU header–feeder configuration. A point sink model has been developed to predict the critical height and to map the velocities and acceleration flow fields during OGE. The model was verified by comparing the theoretically predicted critical height with the available experimental results. The theoretically predicted critical height is found to be a function of the branch Froude number, the location of the secondary branch with respect to the primary branch, and the angle between the branches. The effect of these variables on the predicted OGE height was investigated and is presented in this paper. Predictions of the critical height were shown to be within 25% of experimental values in both dual and triple discharge.

► Theoretical investigation of the onset of gas entrainment into single, dual, and triple discharging branches.
► Critical height predictions are within 25% of experimental values at low to moderate Froude numbers.
► Novel depictions of the liquid side acceleration fields enhance physical descriptions of the related phenomena.
► Comprehensive map characterizes the three modes of gas entrainment during dual discharge.