An experimental study of low-pressure filmwise condensation on a small in-line tube bank

Abstract

A purpose-built test facility has been constructed and used to produce data for filmwise condensation from steam, and steam-air mixtures, flowing downwards across a 15 row by 5 column bundle of tubes. Data were obtained at conditions typical of those found in the UK electricity generating industry. Steam was supplied at pressures of 50, 75 and 100 mbar, at velocities of 10,20 and 33 m/s and with air concentrations of 0 and 10000 ppm. Steam to cooling water temperature differences of 5, 10 and 15 K were used to generate heat fluxes of up to 90 kW/m². The data were used to investigate the application to tube bundle design. It is shown that the selection of an appropriate steam velocity allows good agreement between some shell-side heat transfer correlations and the experimental data, and that existing correlations for inundation and air-concentration effects are sufficient.

Keywords

condensation filmwise steam-air mixtures low pressure turbine condensers

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