Dynamic process modeling on depressurization by cooling-controlled condensation in a closed chamber

Bo Zhang, Pengfei He, Chao Zhu, Zhiming Ji, Chao Hsin Lin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

It has long been realized that condensation in a chamber prefilled with condensable vapor leads to chamber depressurization, and the condensation rate can be cooling controlled. While the final state can be reasonably estimated based on the thermodynamic equilibrium, the dynamic process or rate of depressurization has not been satisfactorily modeled, which is due to the complicated coupling mechanisms of heat and mass transfer, the transient nature of non-equilibrium during the process, the complication by the co-existence of noncondensable gas (NCG) within vapor, as well as the complex geometry and material properties of chamber and cooling device involved. In this paper, we have conducted an experimental study on depressurization by steam condensation onto an internal cooling coil in a steam-prefilled closed chamber. To reveal various parametric effects on the depressurization process, a parametric model consisting of a set of coupled ordinary differential equations has been established, with some simplified assumptions including lumped heat capacity sub-models for chamber walls, cooling coils and the gas phase. To further explore the thermal non-equilibrium characteristics during the process, a simplified and transient simulation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is also conducted using FLUENT with user-defined function (UDF) on boundary of condensation. Both parametric and CFD models consider the existence of NCG that is pre-mixed with the vapor as impurity. By comparison with the experimental measurements, both models correctly predict the dynamic and asymptotic characteristics of depressurization with time. The CFD simulation indicates an almost instant equilibrium in pressure within the chamber and yet non-equilibrium in temperature with noticeable temperature gradients over the gas phase. The simplified parametric model provides quick and quantitative assessments of some major parametric effects (e.g., vapor purity, coolant flow rate, and vessel volume) on the rate of depressurization. The detailed mechanistic understanding, gained from proposed models, provides insights essential to the optimized design and operation of the depressurization by cooling-controlled condensation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSymposia
Subtitle of host publicationAdvances in Fluids Engineering Education; Turbomachinery Flow Predictions and Optimization; Applications in CFD; Bio-Inspired Fluid Mechanics; Droplet-Surface Interactions; CFD Verification and Validation; Development and Applications of Immersed Boundary Methods; DNS, LES, and Hybrid RANS/LES Methods
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791846216
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
EventASME 2014 4th Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting, FEDSM 2014, Collocated with the ASME 2014 12th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels - Chicago, United States
Duration: Aug 3 2014Aug 7 2014

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fluids Engineering Division (Publication) FEDSM
Volume1A
ISSN (Print)0888-8116

Other

OtherASME 2014 4th Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting, FEDSM 2014, Collocated with the ASME 2014 12th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago
Period8/3/148/7/14

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanical Engineering

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