Numerical Simulation and Experimental Investigation of Steam Separators

Based on computational fluid dynamics method of two-phase flow, separation efficiency of steam separator used for steam-water separating in power plant is presented. A mathematical model is established for simulating the flow field of gas flow channels in steam separator. The trajectory of droplets is obtained by using particle motion equation. The gas-water separating efficiency is calculated for the droplets at different particle diameter. The equations are solved by using computational fluid dynamics method. An experimental model is established for determining the structure parameters and critical velocity of steam separator. The results show that structure parameters and inlet gas velocity have great influence on the separation efficiency of wave type plate separator. The separation efficiency of steam separator with hooks is higher than that without it. Plate spacing and length offer the largest opportunity to the performance improvement. The droplets removal efficiency increases with the plate spacing reduction. The turning angle must be less than 54deg for a high efficiency and low pressure loss. The gas velocity within the separator should be kept below a critical velocity as well in order to avoid re-entrainment. Numerical and experimental results can be directly used for the design of steam separator.