Detailed two-phase modelling of film condensation on a horizontal tube
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Date
2016-11
Authors
Saleh, Esam
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
A complete two-phase numerical model of film condensation from a mixture of a vapour and a non-condensing gas that is based on the two-dimensional elliptic governing equations with variable physical properties is presented. The model predicts the full viscous flow and heat and mass transfer for the mixture around the tube and in the entire liquid film from the top of the tube to the falling film below the tube. A finite volume method is used with a segregated solution approach and a dynamically moving computational grid that tracks the phase interface sharply. Fundamental balances of mass, energy, and force are enforced accurately at the phase interface.
The model was developed in steps and validated against various experimental and theoretical works in the literature for different two-phase flows. The validation tests included stratified flow of liquid and gas in a horizontal channel, falling liquid film over a vertical wall, and condensation of steam from a steam-air mixture in a vertical channel.
The model was used to simulate laminar film condensation from a downward flowing steam-air mixture over an isothermal horizontal tube. The validity of this new model is demonstrated by comparisons with previous theoretical and experimental studies. New results are presented on the effects of free-stream-to-tube temperature difference, upstream Reynolds number, free-stream gas mass fraction, and free-stream pressure on the condensate film development, the local and average heat transfer coefficients, and the total condensate mass flow rate.
It was found that the temperature difference had the greatest effect on the condensation rate and film thickness. The presence of non-condensing gas in the vapour has a strong negative impact on the condensation process. For the pure steam case, moderate changes in the upstream Reynolds number showed slight increases in condensate mass flow rate with increased Reynolds number. For the mixture case, however, moderate increase in upstream Reynolds number increases significantly the condensate mass flow rate and film thickness. This trend becomes more noticeable as the free-steam gas mass fraction increases. Changing the free-stream pressure demonstrated that property variation had a relatively smaller effect than temperature difference and gas mass fraction changes.
Description
Keywords
External film condensation; Horizontal tube; Gas-vapour mixture; Two-phase; Laminar; Numerical analysis; Elliptic equations; Sharp interface; Segregated solution;
Citation
E. A. Saleh and S. J. Ormiston, A Sharp-Interface Elliptic Two-Phase Numerical Model of Laminar Film Condensation on a Horizontal Tube, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer , vol. 102, pp. 1169–1179, 2016.