Comparison of Two-Phase Flow Correlations for Thermo-Hydraulic Modeling of Direct Steam Generation in a Solar Parabolic Trough Collector System

Author(s):  
Bohra Nitin Kumar ◽  
K. S. Reddy

Direct steam generation (DSG) in parabolic trough collector (PTC) is an efficient and feasible option for solar thermal power generation as well as for industrial process heat supply. The two-phase flow inside the absorber tube complicates the thermo-hydraulic modeling of the DSG process. In the present work, a thermo-hydraulic model is developed for the DSG process in the receiver of a solar PTC. The two-phase flow in the evaporating section is analyzed using two empirical correlations of heat transfer and pressure drop, and a flow map integrated heat transfer and pressure drop model. The results of the thermo-hydraulic simulation using different two-phase heat transfer and pressure drop correlations were compared with experimental data from the direct solar steam (DISS) test facility at Plataforma Solar de Almeria (PSA), Spain. The test facility has collectors with aperture width of 5.76 m, focal length of 1.71 m, and absorber tube with inner and outer diameters of 50 mm and 70 mm, respectively. The simulation results using the aforementioned two-phase models were found to be satisfactory and consistent within the experimental uncertainty. The flow map based heat transfer model predicted the mean fluid temperature with root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.45% and 1.40%, for the cases considered in the present study. Whereas the flow pattern map based pressure drop model predicts the variation of pressure along the length of the collector with RMSE of 0.5% and 0.14%. Moreover, the flow pattern map based model predicts the different flow regimes paving a better understanding of the two-phase flow and helps in identifying the critical sections along the collector length.

Author(s):  
Weilin Qu ◽  
Seok-Mann Yoon ◽  
Issam Mudawar

Knowledge of flow pattern and flow pattern transitions is essential to the development of reliable predictive tools for pressure drop and heat transfer in two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. In the present study, experiments were conducted with adiabatic nitrogen-water two-phase flow in a rectangular micro-channel having a 0.406 × 2.032 mm cross-section. Superficial velocities of nitrogen and water ranged from 0.08 to 81.92 m/s and 0.04 to 10.24 m/s, respectively. Flow patterns were first identified using high-speed video imaging, and still photos were then taken for representative patterns. Results reveal that the dominant flow patterns are slug and annular, with bubbly flow occurring only occasionally; stratified and churn flow were never observed. A flow pattern map was constructed and compared with previous maps and predictions of flow pattern transition models. Annual flow is identified as the dominant flow pattern for conditions relevant to two-phase micro-channel heat sinks, and forms the basis for development of a theoretical model for both pressure drop and heat transfer in micro-channels. Features unique to two-phase micro-channel flow, such as laminar liquid and gas flows, smooth liquid-gas interface, and strong entrainment and deposition effects are incorporated into the model. The model shows good agreement with experimental data for water-cooled heat sinks.


Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Evich ◽  
Nicholas R. Larimer ◽  
Mary I. Frecker ◽  
Matthew J. Rau

Abstract Advanced manufacturing techniques have improved dramatically in recent years and design freedom for engineered components and systems has never been greater. Despite these advancements, the majority of our design tools for thermal-fluids systems are still rooted within traditional architectures and manufacturing techniques. In particular, the complex nature of two-phase flow and heat transfer has made the development of design methods that can accommodate these complex geometries enabled by new manufacturing techniques challenging. Here, we investigate a new design method for two-phase flow systems. We conduct a multiobjective parameter study considering two-phase flow and heat transfer through a single channel with a circular cross section. To increase our design degrees of freedom, we allow the channel to increase or decrease in cross-sectional area along its flow length, but constrain the channel inlet and outlet to a constant hydraulic diameter. Maximizing heat transfer and minimizing pressure drop are the two design objectives, which we evaluate using two-phase heat transfer correlations and the Homogeneous Equilibrium Model. We find that using small expansion angles can greatly reduce two-phase flow pressure drop and also provide high heat transfer coefficients when compared to straight channel designs. We present a set of feasible designs for varying input heat fluxes, liquid mass flow rates, and channel orientation angles and show how the ideal expansion channel angle varies with these operational conditions.


2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weilin Qu ◽  
Seok-Mann Yoon ◽  
Issam Mudawar

Knowledge of flow pattern and flow pattern transitions is essential to the development of reliable predictive tools for pressure drop and heat transfer in two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. In the present study, experiments were conducted with adiabatic nitrogen-water two-phase flow in a rectangular micro-channel having a 0.406×2.032mm2 cross-section. Superficial velocities of nitrogen and water ranged from 0.08 to 81.92 m/s and 0.04 to 10.24 m/s, respectively. Flow patterns were first identified using high-speed video imaging, and still photos were then taken for representative patterns. Results reveal the dominant flow patterns are slug and annular, with bubbly flow occurring only occasionally; stratified and churn flow were never observed. A flow pattern map was constructed and compared with previous maps and predictions of flow pattern transition models. Features unique to two-phase micro-channel flow were identified and employed to validate key assumptions of an annular flow boiling model that was previously developed to predict pressure drop and heat transfer in two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. This earlier model was modified based on new findings from the adiabatic two-phase flow study. The modified model shows good agreement with experimental data for water-cooled heat sinks.


2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 837-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwang-Il Choi ◽  
A.S. Pamitran ◽  
Jong-Taek Oh ◽  
Kiyoshi Saito

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