The Condensation of Water Vapour in a Mixture Containing a High Concentration of Non-Condensable Gas in a Vertical Tube

Abstract

This paper deals with the condensation of water vapour possessing a content of noncondensable gas in vertical tubes. The condensation of pure steam on a vertical surface is introduced by the Nusselt condensation model. However, the condensation of water vapour in a mixture with non-condensable gas differs from pure vapour condensation and is a much more complex process. The differences for the condensation of water vapour in a mixture containing a high concentration were theoretically analysed and evaluated. In order to investigate these effects, an experimental stand was built. Experiments were carried out in regards to the case of pure steam condensation and the condensation of water vapour with a non-condensable gas mixture to evaluate the influence of the variable non-condensable gas content during the process. A non-condensable gas in a mixture with steam decreases the intensity of the condensation and the condensation heat transfer coefficient. A gradual reduction of the volume and partial pressure of steam in the mixture causes a decrease in the condensation temperature of steam, and the temperature difference between steam and cooling water. The increasing non-condensable gas concentration restrains the transportation of steam towards the tube wall and this has a significant effect on the decrease in the condensation rate.