Theoretical Analysis of the Onset of Gas Entrainment from a Stratified Two-Phase Region Through Two Side-Oriented Branches Mounted on a Vertical Wall

Abstract

A theoretical analysis has been developed to predict the critical height and the location of the onset of gas entrainment during discharge from a stratified two-phase region through two oriented-side branches mounted on a vertical wall. In this analysis, a point sink model was first developed, followed by a more accurate three-dimensional finite branch model. The models are based on a new modified criterion for the onset of gas entrainment. The theoretically predicted critical height and the location of the onset of gas entrainment are found to be a function of the mass rate of each branch (Fr1 and Fr2), the distance between the centerlines of the two branches (L∕d), and the inclination angle (θ). The effects of these variables on the predicted critical height and the onset location were investigated. Furthermore, comparison between the theoretically predicted results and the available experimental data was carried out to verify the developed models. The comparison shows that the predicted results are very close to the measured data within a deviation percentage of 12% at Fr1>10. This small deviation percentage reflects a good agreement between the measured and predicted results.