Two-phase nozzles performances CFD modeling for low-grade heat to power generation: Mass transfer models assessment and a novel transitional formulation

Abstract

The use of two-phase nozzles for low-grade heat valorization by electricity production increases the energy recovery rate using Trilateral Flash or Wet to Dry cycles. A model benchmark for nozzle flow rate and efficiency estimation was conducted on experimental data from the literature. These data come from a series of tests made on geothermal energy production water two-phase nozzles. A new transitional bubble-to-droplet interfacial area density formulation (TA-BD model) is presented by the paper. It is compared to three models from literature. Two nozzles operating with different inlet and outlet conditions were modeled. The calibration flexibility and the robustness of the models are discussed in association with physical analysis. The paper shows how the models using single or redundant adaptation parameters fail to provide good results simultaneously on flow rate and efficiency. It appeared that the TA-BD model is the more flexible and robust. The Homogeneous Relaxation Model (HRM) model gives also good results. Furthermore, TA-BD model gives the lowest average discrepancies. Especially at the best efficiency point of the first test case, TA-BD model shows<1% discrepancy where the HRM model has 18% discrepancy in efficiency. The TA-BD model appeared to be easier to calibrate than the HRM model. Finally, regarding the proposed TA-BD model, the sensitivity to the geometry and operating conditions shows that the interfacial area density formulation could be completed to include the effect of nozzle's section profile, the effect of the inlet temperature on bubbles number density, and the effect of outlet pressure on the droplets number density.