Experimental study on the condensation of supersonic steam jet submerged in quiescent subcooled water: Steam plume shape and heat transfer

The condensation of supersonic steam jet submerged in the quiescent subcooled water was investigated experimentally. The results indicated that the shape of steam plume was controlled by the steam exit pressure and water temperature. Six different shapes of steam plume were observed under the present test conditions. Their distribution as a function of the steam exit pressures and water temperatures was given. As the steam mass velocity and water temperature increase, the measured maximum expansion ratio and dimensionless penetration length of steam plume were in the ranges of 1.08-1.95 and 3.05-13.15, respectively. The average heat transfer coefficient of supersonic steam jet condensation was found to be in the range of 0.63-3.44 MW/m(2)K. An analytical model of steam plume was found and the correlations to predict the maximum expansion ratio, dimensionless penetration length and average heat transfer coefficient were also investigated. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.