Research on fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in a three-dimensional condenser

The condenser plays a crucial role in nuclear power plants, impacting equipment economics and safety through shell-side two-phase flow and heat transfer. However, existing research has oversimplified the tube bundles, lacking comprehensive information for optimal performance. In this research, a three-dimensional method incorporating mixture and multiphase flow condensation models was used to investigate flow behavior and heat transfer characteristics without simplifying the internal structure. Calculation details were enhanced by omitting the porous medium approach. The numerical model achieved reasonable accuracy when compared to theoretical calculations for a range of steam mass flow rates. Analysis of numerical results, including pressure, velocity, temperature, air mass fraction, and heat transfer coefficient, revealed that steam flow rate and air mass fraction were key factors influencing heat transfer. This research demonstrates the method’s capability to capture intricate calculation details, providing valuable insights for optimization design considerations in condenser performance.