Reducing entropy generation by volumetric heat transfer in a supersonic two-phase steam flow in a Laval nozzle

Abstract

In a supersonic flow of pure vapour in adiabatic diffusers, under some circumstances, nucleation phenomenon occurs and consequently vapour condensation is observed. In this process, the resulted pressure rise is called the condensation shock, which causes the entropy generation. The innovation of this research is analytically modelling the volumetric heat addition to the steam flow in a 1D convergent?divergent supersonic nozzle. The analysis of the results shows that an appropriate volumetric heat addition to the convergent section of a convergent?divergent supersonic nozzle can reduce the degree of supercooling and subsequently reduce the nucleation rates significantly. The condensation reduction declines the irreversible internal heat transfer, which improves the efficiency of the steam flow.