ISSN Online: 2688-7231
ISBN Online: 978-1-56700-524-0
Proceedings of the 26thNational and 4th International ISHMT-ASTFE Heat and Mass Transfer Conference December 17-20, 2021, IIT Madras, Chennai-600036, Tamil Nadu, India
Collision of steam bubbles in a vertical rectangular channel containing subcooled liquid
Abstract
The phenomenon of direct contact condensation (DCC)
finds several applications in the process industry, thermal
power plants, and nuclear reactors (especially, in pressure
suppression systems). DCC allows for the abandoning of
intervening metallic surfaces employed to facilitate the heat
transfer leading to cost-effectiveness and design simplicity
along with higher rates of heat transfer. The aim of the
current study is to explore the underlying physics of flow
in direct contact condensation and its implications on the
evolution of collision dynamics of two steam bubbles in a vertical rectangular channel filled with subcooled water at different temperature and initial diameters using volume of fluid method in Ansys Fluent. The study reveals the complete dynamics of bubble collision and helps in identifying different stages and underlying causes. Furthermore, parametric dependence of the collision and collapse with respect to degree of subcooling and variation of lower bubble diameter is also revealed.