Condensation Measurement of Horizontal Cocurrent Steam/Water Flow

Abstract

Condensation of steam on a subcooled water layer was studied in a cocurrent horizontal channel at atmospheric pressure. The heat transfer coefficients were found to vary from 1.3 kW/m2°C to 20 kW/m2°C, depending on whether the liquid interface was smooth or wavy, increased with increasing steam flow rates and water flow rates. For all cases, 50 to 90 percent of the steam condensed within 1.2 m from the entrance. The average Nusselt numbers were correlated with average steam and water Reynolds numbers and average liquid Prandtl numbers, for both smooth and wavy interface flows. Finally, a correlation of the average heat transfer coefficient and condensation rate for wavy interface flow was obtained as a function of inlet conditions and distance downstream.