Numerical simulation on non-equilibrium spontaneous condensation in supersonic steam flow

It is well known that the release of the latent heat by the homogenously nucleating steam flow can have a strong effect on the flow dynamics when the flow is transonic or supersonic with shock waves present. This paper describes a conservative two-dimensional compressible numerical model for supersonic nonequilibrium spontaneous condensing steam flow based on the classical nucleation theory and the Virial style equation of state. Quantitative validation of the numerical model was accomplished and the results showed a good agreement between numerical simulation and the experimental data. On the basis of the comparison of the proposed simulation and the dry isentropic expansion solution, the physical description of the condensation shock in Laval nozzles is concluded. And the effect of the condensation shock on the nucleation process itself and the resulting droplet size distribution was revealed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.