STEAM NOZZLES
Introduction
Nozzle is a device of varied cross – sectional area in which the
heat energy of the steam is converted into kinetic energy.
mass flow rate remains constant
Types of nozzles:
o convergent
The cross sectional area of the nozzle decreases from the entrance to exit.
The outlet pressure of the nozzle will be equal or higher than the critical
pressure.
The critical pressure is the pressure which will accelerate the flow to a velocity equal to
the local velocity of sound in the fluid.
➢ Pressure ratio : 0.58 when using saturated
steam
Mach number is the ratio of the speed of a body to the speed
of sound in the surrounding medium.
Types of nozzles
Convergent – divergent:
The area of the cross section decreases from entrance to throat and afterwards increases
from throat to exit.
Divergent portion increases the pressure drop and accelerates the flow.
The narrowest section of the C-D nozzle is called throat.
Flow through nozzle depends on throat and exit areas at a given pressure drop
Flow of steam through nozzles
The expansion of steam through a nozzle is considered as
isentropic
There is no work done during flow of steam.
ie Q = 0: W = 0
Apply the steady flow energy equation,
For a flow of 1 kg/sec,
h1 + C12/2 + Q = h2 + C22/2 + W
For flow through nozzle,
h1 + C12/2 = h2 + C22/2
C1 is negligible, when compare with C2, then
C2 = √ [2(h1- h2)x1000] = 44.72 √(h1- h2).
C2 = 44.72 √(h1- h2) (m/s)
Effect of friction in steam nozzle:(frictional reheating)
During the flow of steam through the nozzle, loss would likely occur
due to internal friction of steam itself , friction between nozzle surface
and steam and shock losses.
This reduces the nozzle efficiency considerably more in divergent
portion of the nozzle.
Enthalpy drop is reduced resulting in lower exit velocity
dryness fraction of steam and specific volume increased
Discharge Through an Isentropic Nozzle
Flow through the nozzle is isentropic
Gain in kinetic energy = Work done during expansion
Work done during expansion = Work done during flow process
Conditions for Maximum Discharge
Maximum discharge occur at critical pressure ratio
Supersaturated or Metastable Flow Through Nozzle
Supersaturated or Metastable Flow Through Nozzle
➢ During the expansion, the change of phase must start at point C where the
expansion lines meets the satruartion line
➢ Under certain conditions, this condensation does not occur at a point c as the
time available is very short
➢ High velocity of steam passing through nozzle
➢ The equilibrium between the liquid and vapour phase is delayed and the vapour
continues to expand in dry state
➢ Wilson Line - Saturation line for all practical purposes
➢ Supercooled Flow- Temp is lower than the saturation temperature
➢ Degree of undercooling
➢ The difference between the temperature
at point and saturation temperature c
corresponding pressure
➢ Degree of super saturation = Pact/Psat
➢ Density is 8 times of saturated density of
The same pressure
EFFECTS OF SUPERSATURATION
➢ Increase in entropy and specific volume of steam
➢ The dryness fraction of steam is improved
➢ Reduced in heat drop below the thermal equilibrium – Exit
velocity is reduced
➢ Density of supersaturated steam is high