Flow Field Characterization at the Onset of Gas Entrainment in a Single Downward Discharge Using Particle Image Velocimetry

The incipience of two-phase flow in discharging branches from a stratified gas-liquid region has major implications in industrial applications where safety is of concern. An experimental investigation of the liquid side flow field at the onset of gas entrainment, in a single downward oriented discharging branch, was presented. Particle image velocimetry was used to measure the liquid side flow field in horizontal and vertical planes. Averaged velocity profiles were presented and demonstrated a highly radial flow. The particle image velocimetry data were validated using continuity and showed that the mass flow rate to be in the range of 10–25% of the expected value. Further, the vortex-free flow field assumption, used previously in the development of analytical and empirical models, was found to be reasonable.