Prediction of dehydration performance of supersonic separator based on a multi-fluid model with heterogeneous condensation

Sun, Chunqian; Ding, Hongbing; Wang, Chao; Wen, Chuang; Tian, Yuhe

Abstract

Supersonic separation is a novel technology. A multi-fluid slip model for swirling flow with homogenous/heterogenous condensation and evaporation processes in the supersonic separator was built to estimate the separation efficiency. This model solves the governing equations of compressible turbulent gas phase and dispersed homogenous/heterogenous liquid phase considering droplet coalescence and interphase force. Its prediction accuracy for condensation and swirling flows was validated. Then, the flow field, slip velocity and droplet trajectory inside the separators with different swirl strengths were investigated. The maximum values of radial slip velocity are 29.2 and 8.26 m/s for inlet foreign droplet radius of 1.0 and 0.4 micron. It means the larger foreign droplet has a better condensation rate. However, the residence time of larger foreign droplet in core flow is shorten. Thus, the inlet radius of foreign droplet has to be moderate for best separation efficiency. Finally, the dehydration performances of separator were evaluated. The optimal radius of inlet foreign droplet to maximize the dehumidification and efficiency was found. For the separator with swirl strength of 22%, the optimal radius is 0.85 micron at inlet pressure of 250 kPa, where the maximum dew point depression is 42.41 °C and the water removal rate is 87.82%.

Citation

Sun, C., Ding, H., Wang, C., Wen, C., & Tian, Y. (2020). Prediction of dehydration performance of supersonic separator based on a multi-fluid model with heterogeneous condensation. Applied Thermal Engineering, 171, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115074

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 11, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Feb 11, 2020
• Publication Date: May 5, 2020
• Deposit Date: Feb 21, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 12, 2022
• Journal: Applied Thermal Engineering
• Print ISSN: 1359-4311
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 171
• Article Number: 115074
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115074
• Keywords: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering; Energy Engineering and Power Technology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4005598
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359431119356091?via%3Dihub