Optimization volumetric heating in condensing steam flow by a novel method

In the last stages of steam turbines, the formation of liquid droplets causes losses and reduces turbine efficiency. One of the major problems of wet steam flow is the presence of the liquid phase, which volumetric heating reduces the wetness. One of the disadvantages of adding volumetric heating is increasing entropy generation and cost. Considering that three important parameters, including entropy losses, economic cost, and wetness play, an important role in the turbine blade flow. Reducing wetness can be accompanied by increasing heat and, on the other hand, adding heat leads to increasing cost and entropy. Therefore, as a first, a novel entropy, economic, and wetness (EEW) method is introduced to achieve optimal volumetric heating. Numerical simulation of the turbulent steam flow, SST k-omega model is used. Results are validated with experimental and numerical previous studies for two different geometries. It was also found that when the volumetric heating is optimal, these three parameters in EEW method have the lowest value. Moreover, EEW method is recommended for future research, and it is more optimized compared to the other types of methods. Therefore, corrosion and shock condensation can be decreased by using EEW method.