INFLUENCE OF TUBE INCLINATION ON THE FLOW REGIME BOUNDARIES OF CONDENSING STEAM

Flow regime data of condensing steam inside an inclined 1 3.4 mm ID tube are presented. The effect of upward and downward inclinations within +/- 10-degrees on the different transition lines is discussed. In all test runs. complete condensation has been achieved inside the condenser. with or without full tube at exit depending on the total mass flow rate and inclination angle. It is shown that the zones occupied by the way and slug regimes experience significant shifts, whereas the effect on the annular flow boundary appears to be insignificant at the present small inclination angles. The present data sets are compared with adiabatic gas-liquid flow regime maps developed analytically and experimentally for horizontal and inclined tubes. Deviations due to the condensation process are observed: however, consistent trends are identified among the two types of flow.