Condensing steam flow computations - Validation problems

Validation problems of the numerical method modeling of the transonic steam flow with homogeneous and/or heterogeneous condensation have been presented. All results were obtained by means of an in-house CFD code. The numerical simulation was based on the time dependent 3-D Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations, which were coupled with a two-equation turbulence model. The homogeneous and heterogeneous condensation on the insoluble and soluble particles was taken into account. For validation of presented in-house CFD code the most popular in literature experimental results of wet steam flow were used. The experiments carried out for the Laval nozzles and for the turbine cascades were selected to show and discuss experimental conditions, measurements accuracy and complexity of experimental research in this field. The sensitivity of the condensation model and difficulties in the validation process of the CFD code were discussed. These difficulties limit the possibilities of explanation and improvement of the theory based on the existing experimental data.