Experimental and Numerical Study on Vapor Condensation of Wet Flue Gas in Chimney

Abstract

Increase of the emission of CO2, which is mostly the result of the combusted fossil fuels into the atmosphere, exponentially increases. Through increased energy efficiency there is lower CO2 emission. There is a tendency to reduce exhaust gases temperatures down from their original value referred to as “acid dew point”, 115-160°C. A result is vapor condensation of wet flue in chimney. Condensation occurs when the surface temperature is below the dew point of the vapor-gas mixture. Therefore, Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium models are required in order to determine the dew point of the mixture. Wet flue gas is simulated with vapor-air mixture. A numerical model was presented to calculate the velocity and thermal field of turbulent vapor-air mixture flow trough a chimney. The momentum and temperature field were calculated via a finite-volume CFD code, using the k – e turbulence model. The validation of this calculation was conducted employing an experimental set for heat and mass transfer in vertical upward vapor-air mixture. Measurements were done using a stainless steel tube of 13.2 mm I.D. (internal diameter) and 70 I.D. lengths. Flow rates of steam and air were varied as the experimental parameters. The experiment involves two-phase, two-component, heat and mass transfer. Comparisons of wall temperature and condensate rate were made and the model was shown to give an acceptable results.