Numerical simulation of homogeneous-heterogeneous condensation and interphase heat transfer in a dusty vapour-gas flow: Controlling the homogeneous condensation process

The effect of heterogeneous condensation centres (dust particles) on the bulk condensation process was studied using numerical simulations. The possibility of controlling the process of homogeneous condensation by injecting dust particles into the flow of vapour-gas mixture is shown. A homogeneous-heterogeneous bulk condensation model was used based on two groups of droplets in the flow: microdroplets formed because of nucleation in a vapour-gas mixture, and macrodroplets formed during condensation on dust particles with a perfectly wetted surface. Three parallel processes were considered during the description of bulk condensation kinetics: the formation of new microdroplets due to nucleation, growth of micro- and macrodroplets due to condensation, and interphase heat transfer in single-, two-, and three-temperature models. A numerical simulation was performed to investigate the homogeneous condensation of heavy water vapour mixed with nitrogen in the supersonic part of the Laval nozzle. The results of the simulation for non-dusty flow, performed earlier by the authors of this study, are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental results. Hence, the obtained dusty flow data could be compared with non-dusty flow data to investigate the influence of dustiness on the bulk condensation process. •Injection of dust particles into a vapour-gas flow allows bulk condensation control.•Particle concentration, size and initial subcooling are the control parameters.•Three-temperature model is required to correctly calculate the aerosol parameters.•Single temperature model demonstrate only maximum effect of dust particles on condensation.