Modeling of the onset of gas entrainment from a stratified two-phase-region through branches on a curved surface

The present investigation is focused on the onset phenomena from a stratified two-phase region through a single branch located on a semi-circular wall, resembling a circular reservoir of a CANDU header-feeder configuration. Two different models have been developed, over the whole range of branch Froude number to predict the critical height at the onset of gas-entrainment. The results showed that there is both a maximum and a minimum physical limit of prediction, which depends on the branch size and configuration. Also, at a distinct range of Fronde numbers within the physical limits, the predicted values of both models collaborated to the same values. The critical height corresponding to the onset of gas entrainment was found to be a function of the branch orientation and Froude number. Three different experimental data sets at branch orientation angles of zero, 45, and 90 degrees were used to validate the present models. A good concurrence was illustrated between the experimental and theoretical values.