Supersaturated Flow

through the Nozzle

Supersaturated Flow through the
Nozzle
 Supersaturated Flow
Isentropic Flow/ Assumed Flow

During flow through the nozzle it is assume the superheated steam

expands isentropically.

Condensation starts when saturation line reached and it continuous

in wet region

Due to condensation dryness fraction of steam decreases.

Under such conditions the mixture of steam and liquid remain

stable during the expansion.

If at any instant the expansion stopped, there would be no

subsequent changes in the condition of steam.

This is known as Equilibrium Flow.

 Supersaturated Flow
Actual Flow

In actual flow through the nozzle, the steam may not be in
equilibrium.

Because the flow is very rapid and quickly and stay less time in the
nozzle.

The condensation of the steam may be delayed for a little while.

Steam does not condense at saturated temperature at saturated line,

even entering in the wet region, without containing any liquid.

This phenomenon is known as supersaturation, and the steam that

exists in the wet region without containing any liquid is called
supersaturated steam.
 Supersaturated Flow
Steam condense 4% in lower mixed region, until certain line known
as Wilson-line.

The change in temperature and pressure are also very rapid,

therefore condensation does not take place as quickly as does the
pressure and temperature.

Under such situation, the condensation does not keep pace with the
expansion.

Any small disturbance in flow may caused the condensation of the

steam.

This type of flow is called Meta-stable/non-equlibrium

supersaturated flow.
 Supersaturated Flow
During this condition the enthalpy drop is decreased.

Temperature of supersaturated vapours less than the saturated one.

The vapours is said to be super cooled.

The degree of supersaturation=T2-T2’.

The velocity of supersaturated flow is less than the saturated flow.

Entropy of supersaturated vapour increases.

Mass flow rate increases to 2-5%.

Dryness fraction equal to X=0.96%.

Problem (?exam)
Dry saturated steam at a pressure of 10 bar is expanded in a nozzle
to a pr. of 0.7 bar. With the help of Moillier diagram find the velocity
and dryness fraction of steam issuing from the nozzle, if the friction
is neglected.
Also find the velocity and dryness fraction of the steam, if 15%
of heat drop is lost in the friction.

Data:
P1=10bar
P2=0.7bar
Heat drop decrease to 15%

Velocity and dryness fraction of steam if friction is neglected.

Now, from the Moillier diagram at pressure values,10 bar and 0.7 bar.
h1  2772kJ / kg

h2  2310kJ / kg
Heat drop= h=h1-h2

h= 2772-2310

h= 462 KJ/kg

C 2  44.72 h1  h2

C 2  44.72 2772  2310

C 2  961m / sec

From Moillier diagram we also find the dryness fraction at point “B”

X=0.848
Now, considered the 15% heat drop is lost in friction.

We know that for isentropic expansion the nozzle efficiency is 100%.

K  100  15  85

K  85%

Heat drop due to friction

loss  462  0.15

loss  69.3kJ / kg
 C 2  44.72 K (h1  h2 )

C 2  44.72 0.85(2772  2310)

C 2  44.72 0.85  462

C 2  886m / sec

Now, let us complete the Moillier diagram.

(i) Locate point “C” on the vertical line AB, such that BC=69.3 KJ/kg
(ii) h3=h2+69.3=2310+69.3

h3=2379.3

(iii) Through “C” draw a horizontal line “ CB’ ” to meet the final pr.
line 0.7bar at “B”.
From the Moillier diagram, we find the dryness fraction of steam
Issuing from the nozzle.

X’2= 0.92
Problem
Steam enters a group of nozzles of a steam turbine at 12 bar and
220 oC and leaves at 1.2 bar. The steam develops 220 kw with a
Specific steam consumption of 13.5 kg/kwh. If the diameter of
Nozzles at throat is 7 mm. Calculate the number of nozzles.

Data: p1  12bar

T1  220 o C

p3  1.2bar

Power  220kw / kg

m s  13.5kg / kwh

d 2  7 mm
We know that for superheated steam pressure of steam at throat:
p2
 0.546
p1

p 2  12  0.546

p 2  6.552bar

From Moillier diagram at pressure of 12 bar, the enthalpy

h1  2860kJ / kg

Enthalpy of steam at throat at 6.552 bar

h2  2750kJ / kg
Dryness fraction of steam at throat

X 2  0.992

From steam table specific volume at throat of dry saturated steam

v g  0.29m 3 / kg
2

Drop in enthalpy from entrance to throat

h1  h2  2860  2750  110 kJ / kg
Velocity of steam at throat,

C 2  44.72 (h1  h2 )

C 2  44.72 2860  2750)

C 2  44.72 110

C 2  470m / sec
Area of the nozzle at throat A2

A2  (d 2 ) 2
4


A2  (7 ) 2
4

A2  38.5mm 2

A2  38.5  10 6 m 2
Now, mass flow rate per nozzle

A2 C 2
m 
v2

A2 C 2
m 
X 2 v g2

38.5  10 6  470
m 
0.992  0.29

m  0.063kg / sec
We know that total mass flow rate = 13.5x220 = 2970 kg/hr

= 0.825 kg/sec

No. of nozzles = Total mass flow rate/mass flow rate per nozzle

No. of nozzle = 0.825 /0.063

No. of nozzle = 13.1 say

No. of nozzle = 14
Homework
Steam enters a converging–diverging nozzle at2 Mpa
and 400°C with a negligible velocity and a mass flow
rate of 2.5 kg/s, and it exits at a pressure of 300
kPa. The flow is isentropic between the nozzle
entrance and throat, and the overall nozzle efficiency
is 93 percent. Determine (a) the throat and exit areas
and (b) the Mach number at the throat and the
Nozzle exit.