Experimental Investigation on the Onset of Gas Entrainment from a Stratified Two-Phase Region Through Multiple Branches Mounted on a Curved Surface

Abstract

An experimental investigation has been carried out to simulate the onset of gas entrainment phenomenon from a stratified region through branches located on a semicircular wall configuration, in close dimensional resemblance with a Canada Deuterium and Uranium (CANDU) header-feeder system. New experimental data for the onset of gas entrainment was developed during single and multiple discharge from an air/water stratified region over a wide range of Froude numbers (0 to 100), in order to thoroughly understand the onset of gas entrainment phenomenon. It was found that the critical height at the onset of gas entrainment (single or simultaneous) was a function of the corresponding Froude number of each branch, the vertical distance between the centerlines of the branches (for multiple discharge), the hydraulic resistance of the discharging lines, as well as the orientation of the branches and their diameter with respect to the main header. Concerning multiple discharge comparisons, at intermediate Fr values (1<Fr<10) the data deviates, however at higher Fr values (>10) there is convergence. The present data are necessary in validating future analytical and numerical models of the onset of gas entrainment for a curved geometry, particularly at low Froude numbers.