Pressure drop analysis of steam condensation in a plate heat exchanger

In cooperation with Alfa Laval Thermal AB Company in Sweden, a steam conden sation test rig of a plate heal exchanger (PHE) was set up. The heat transf er and pressure drop characteristics of two kinds of typical operation cond ition in a PHE were obtained: complete condensation and partial condensatio n. This article introduces the test rig, various sensors, and the data acqu isition system used in the measurements. The process of steam condensation in a PHE is analyzed in detail. The two-phase frictional pressure drop alon g this wavy channel was obtained from the measured steam condensation press ure drop. The Lockhart-Martinelli model was extended to predict the pressur e drop of steam condensation in a PHE and was verified by the experimental results. Based an the data processing of 109 experimental points, a correla tion of frictional pressure drop of steam condensation in a PHE is suggeste d. This correlation is recommended for calculation of the steam condensatio n pressure drop in a PHE.