Liquid-Vapor Interactions in a Constant-Area Condensing Ejector

The performance of a condensing ejector depends on the interactions occurring between the liquid and vapor streams in the mixing section. Axial static and liquid-vapor stagnation pressure profiles were measured in a constant-area mixing section using steam and water over a limited range of inlet vapor conditions and a wide range of inlet liquid velocities. Three flow regimes were identified based on inlet liquid velocity. Complete vapor condensation due to a “condensation shock” occurred only in the High Inlet Liquid Velocity Regime. The presence of supersonic vapor flow was found to be a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the existence of the “condensation shock.” In addition, breakup of the liquid jet was found to play an important role in the mixing section processes. A quasi one-dimensional analytical model of the annular liquid-vapor flow patterns occurring in the upstream portion of the mixing section was formulated. Though it was not possible to predict sufficiently accurately the interfacial heat transfer rates from any currently available analyses or data, interfacial heat transfer coefficients of approximately 100 Btu/sec ft² deg F were found to produce good agreement between the experimentally measured and computed analytical axial static pressure variations. These values compare favorably with other data on the heat transfer rates to turbulent water jets with condensation.