The Feasibility of an Euler-Lagrange Approach for the Modeling of Wet Steam

This study investigates the applicability of an Euler-Lagrange approach for the calculation of nucleation and condensation of steam flows. Supersonic nozzles are used as generic validation cases, as their high expansion rates replicate the flow conditions in real turbines. Experimental and numerical validation data for these nozzles are provided by the International Wet Steam Modeling Project of Starzmann et al. (2018, "Results of the International Wet Steam Modeling Project," Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. A, 232(5), pp. 550-570). In contrast to most participants of that project, an Euler-Lagrange approach is utilized for this study. Therefore, the classical nucleation theory with corrections and different droplet growth laws is incorporated into the discrete phase model of ANSYS FLUENT. Suggestions for an efficient implementation are presented. The Euler-Lagrange results show a good agreement with the experimental and numerical validation data. The sensitivities of the Euler-Lagrange approach to modeling parameters are analyzed. Finally, an optimal parameter set for the calculation of nucleation and condensation is proposed.