A Quasi-Three-Dimensional Approach to Predict the Performance of Steam Surface Condensers

Abstract

A quasi-three-dimensional numerical procedure is proposed to simulate the fluid flow and heat transfer in the shell-side of steam surface condensers. The proposed procedure is applied to an experimental steam surface condenser to evaluate its predictive capability. The predicted results give good general agreement with the experimental data. The governing equations are solved in primitive variable form using a semi-implicit consistent control-volume formulation in which a segregated pressure correction linked algorithm is employed. The modeling of the geometries of condensers, including tube bundles and baffle plates, is carried out based on porous media concepts using flow, heat and mass transfer resistances.