CFD modeling of condensing steam ejectors: Comparison with an experimental test-case

In the present paper, a numerical model for the simulation of wet-steam flows has been developed and implemented within a commercial CFD code (ANSYS Fluent) via user defined functions. The scheme is based on a single-fluid approach and solves the transport equations for a homogeneous mixture coupled with conservation equations for the droplets number and liquid volume fraction. The model is validated against a steam nozzle test case and then compared with experimental data from a steam ejector with a significant amount of generated liquid phase. The simulations show a good agreement both in terms of mass flow rates and pressure profile data. Some of the modeling assumptions are also reviewed and discussed.