The effect of the nozzle exit geometry on the flow characteristics of the free condensing jet

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the velocity distribution, temperature distribution and condensation characteristics of steam jet issuing from four different orifice nozzles with a Reynolds number of approximately 79,000 using the phase Doppler particle analyzer system and a K-type thermocouple. The steam jet discharged from the orifice nozzle has a wider jet width compared to pipe nozzle because of the vena-contracta which can enhance the mixing of steam jet with the ambient air. Therefore, the orifice jet showed less condensation due to its wideness, resulting in small velocity decay rate and large temperature decay rate due to momentum conservation and decreased latent heat release compared to pipe nozzle, respectively. Also, the wider jet width of the orifice jet resulted in larger velocity and temperature spread rate compared to the pipe jet. In addition, the increase in the aspect ratio of the orifice jet led to more condensation and larger velocity spread rate and temperature spread rate due to both the vena-contracta and axis-switching effect, resulting in the increase of jet entrainment.

Keywords

• Turbulent jet
• Non-circular nozzle exit
• Condensation
• Phase Doppler particle analyzer