CFD analysis of flow pattern and heat transfer in direct contact steam condensation

Abstract

Direct contact steam condensation used in steam jet injectors, and direct contact feed water heaters, has been studied using CFD simulations. Fairly good agreement has been obtained, with the available experimental data of plume length and the profiles of axial and radial temperature. Further, critical analyses have been carried out for all the published semi-empirical models and correlations. In addition, CFD analysis has been extended to examine the role of nozzle diameter and geometry, on heat transfer phenomenon which governs the direct contact steam condensation phenomenon. A new hydrodynamic model has been formulated which estimates the interfacial area available for condensation. A rational correlation has been developed for the estimation of interfacial area, expressed in terms of Nusselt number (Nu), Reynolds number (Re), Prandtl number (Pr) and ratio of viscosity of steam and water.