Analytical solution and experimental measurements for temperature distribution prediction of three-phase direct-contact condenser

Hameed B. Mahood*, A. O. Sharif, S. Al-Aibi, D. Hawkins, R. Thorpe

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An experimental and analytical investigation for the temperature distribution prediction of a three-phase bubble-type direct-contact condenser conducted, using a short Perspex column with 4cm internal diameter and 70cm height as a direct contact condenser. Vapour pentane and water were exploited as dispersed phase and continuous phase respectively. The effect of mass flow rate ratio (43.69%, 22.97%, 12.23%, 8.61% and 6.46%) and initial dispersed phase temperature (37.6°C, 38.4°C and 41.7°C) on the direct contact condenser output were studied. Linear temperature distributions along direct contact condensers were found experimentally, except at mass flow rate ratio 43.69% and with less magnitude at 22.97%, for different initial vapour temperatures, while theoretically this behaviour is purely linear. The results showed that the mass flow rate ratio and the hold up have a dominant effect on the direct contact condenser output. On the other hand, the initial vapour temperature had a slight effect on the direct contact condenser output temperature which indicates that the latent heat is controlled in the exchange process. The analytical model is based on the one-dimensional mass and energy equations. New expressions for average heat transfer coefficient and two-phase bubbles relative velocity are derived implicitly. Furthermore, the model correlated very well against experimental data obtained.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)538-547
Number of pages10
JournalEnergy
Volume67
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2014

Keywords

  • Analytical modelling
  • Direct-contact heat transfer
  • Experimental measurements
  • Temperature distributions
  • Three-phase condenser

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Pollution
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Analytical solution and experimental measurements for temperature distribution prediction of three-phase direct-contact condenser'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this