Heat transfer in direct contact condensation of steam to subcooled water spray

The condensation heat transfer of saturated steam to a hollow-cone spray of subcooled water was investigated experimentally and analytically. The spray water temperature rose more steeply, in flow direction than those in the previous studies, because of the use of smaller thermocouple which was capable of measuring the temperature in a thin water sheet and water droplets more accurately. The result of the condensation heat transfer coefficient suggested the breakup of the water sheet into droplets. A pure conduction model underpredicted the heat transfer in the sheet region significantly, which was better predicted by considering turbulence in the sheet. The heat transfer in the droplet region was well estimated by considering internal circulation and mixing inside the droplets.