Experimental and Numerical Visualizations of Condensation Process in a Supersonic Ejector

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Marynowski, T. | Desevaux, P. | Mercadier, Y.

Affiliations: Département de Génie Mécanique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K2R1, Canada | FEMTO-ST-UMR 6174, Dépt CREST, Université de Franche-Comté, Belfort F-90000, France. E-mail: philippe.desevaux@univ-fcomte.fr

Abstract: The present study deals with the visualization of the droplet condensation phenomenon that can occur in ejectors powered by moist air. The condensation process is visualized through a numerical model of non-equilibrium condensation in high speed flows implemented by the present authors in a CFD code. The evolution of the region of condensation in the ejector with the primary stagnation pressure is examined both in the case without secondary flows and in the case with free entrainment of induced air. Laser tomography visualization is used to validate the computational results. The effects of some parameters such as the primary stagnation pressure and the humidity ratio in the primary and secondary air flows are also examined. Limitations of the present numerical model are discussed.

Keywords: Ejector, Supersonic flow, Condensation, Moist air, CFD, Laser tomography

Journal: Journal of Visualization, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 251-258, 2009