CFD modeling of condensation process of water vapor in supersonic flows. (25th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Yan; Walther, Jens Honore; Yan, Yuying; Wen, Chuang
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 115(2017)
• Page Start: 1357
• Page End: 1362
• Publication Date: 2017-03-25
• Subjects: Condensation -- Water vapor -- Laval nozzle -- Supersonic flow; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.01.047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Highlights: CFD modeling is developed to predict spontaneous condensation in supersonic flows. Spontaneous condensation does not appear immediately with saturation state of steam. Condensation process occurs further downstream the throat of supersonic nozzle. Abstract: The condensation phenomenon of vapor plays an important role in various industries, such as the steam flow in turbines and refrigeration system. A mathematical model is developed to predict the spontaneous condensing phenomenon in the supersonic flows using the nucleation and droplet growth theories. The numerical approach is validated with the experimental data, which shows a good agreement between them. The condensation characteristics of water vapor in the Laval nozzle are described in detail. The results show that the condensation process is a rapid variation of the vapor-liquid phase change both in the space and in time. The spontaneous condensation of water vapor will not appear immediately when the steam reaches the saturation state. Instead, it occurs further downstream the nozzle throat, where the steam is in the state of supersaturation.