A Theoretical Model of Uniform Flow Distribution for the Admission of High-Energy Fluids to a Surface Steam Condenser

Abstract

An analytical study is made of the perforated pipe distributor for the admission of high-energy fluids to a surface steam condenser. The results show that for all perforated pipes there is a general characteristic parameter MkD/Lf, which depends on the pipe geometry and flow properties. Four cases are considered based on the value of the characteristic parameter M. (1) When M⩾1/4, momentum controls and the main channel static pressure will increase in the direction of the streamline. (2) When 1/6⩽M<1/4, the momentum effect balances friction losses and the pressure will decrease to a minimum, and then increase in the direction of flow to a positive value. (3) When 0<M<1/6, friction controls and the pressure will decrease to a minimum, then increase slowly, but the total pipe static pressure difference will always be negative. (4) When M=0, a limiting case when the ratio of the length to the diameter is infinite. This analysis is useful not only for the design of perforated pipe distributors for turbine condensers over a wide range of dimensions, fluid properties, and side hole pressure but also for many other technical systems requiring branching flow distribution.