Experimental analysis on the heat transfer characteristics of steam direct contact condensation

Objectives To support the design and optimization of containment suppression devices for small modular reactors, this study investigates the heat transfer characteristics of steam direct contact condensation.

Methods A thermal and visual experimental study was conducted on the phenomenon of steam direct contact condensation using a pressure suppression simulation test apparatus. The study analyzed the effects of the non-condensable gas fraction, steam mass flow rate, and cooling water superheat degree on the condensation heat transfer properties.

Results The experimental findings demonstrate that increasing the proportion of non-condensable gases weakens steam condensation heat transfer. Both the mass flow rate of steam and the degree of subcooling of the cooling water have multifaceted impacts on the steam condensation heat transfer process.

Conclusions The deviation between the predicted values from the proposed steam direct contact condensation heat transfer model and the experimental measurements is within ±20%, indicating that the model accurately represents the physical process of steam direct contact condensation heat transfer.