Pressure drop analysis of steam condensation in a plate heat exchanger

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1999 · Heat Transfer Engineering

OSTI ID:330516

Wang, L K; Sunden, B ^[1]; Yang, Q S ^[2]

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1. Lund Inst. of Tech. (Sweden). Div. of Heat Transfer
2. Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ. (China). Inst. of Engineering Thermophysics and Energy

In cooperation with Alfa Laval Thermal AB Company in Sweden, a steam condensation test rig of a plate heat exchanger (PHE) was set up. The heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of two kinds of typical operation condition in a PHE were obtained: complete condensation and partial condensation. This article introduces the test rig, various sensors, and the data acquisition system used in the measurements. The process of steam condensation in a PHE is analyzed in detail. The two-phase frictional pressure drop along this wavy channel was obtained from the measured steam condensation pressure drop. The Lockhart-Martinelli model was extended to predict the pressure drop of steam condensation in a PHE and was verified by the experimental results. Based on the data processing of 109 experimental points, a correlation of frictional pressure drop of steam condensation in a PHE is suggested. This correlation is recommended for calculation of the steam condensation pressure drop in a PHE.

• OSTI ID: 330516
• Journal Information: Heat Transfer Engineering, Journal Name: Heat Transfer Engineering Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 20; ISSN 0145-7632; ISSN HTEND2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
CALCULATION METHODS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
PLATES
PRESSURE DROP
STEAM CONDENSERS
VAPOR CONDENSATION