Modeling steam condensation from steam-air mixture in the inclined tubes of an air-cooled condenser

Specific features pertinent to the flow of steam-gas mixture are discussed as applied to the inclined tubes of air-cooled condensers used in steam turbine units, and the condensate film annular flow and "streamlet" models are analyzed. The calculated results are compared with the data obtained by other researchers. It is shown that with relatively small flow rates of steam-gas mixture typical for air-cooled condensers, the restoration of pressure along the channel may exceed the losses connected with hydraulic resistance. Data on the influence of cooling air temperature on the condensation process are also presented. © 2014 Pleiades Publishing, Inc.