Prediction of dryout and post-dryout wall temperatures using film thickness model

In this paper, a model for calculating dryout and post-dryout wall temperature for two phase flow in a vertical tube using film thickness model is presented. The model is based on the mass and energy balance equations for vapor core, liquid film and corresponding closure laws for interface transfer processes. It is assumed that the dryout is reached when the local film thickness in the annular flow approaches zero. Thermal-hydraulic processes along the whole length of the boiling channel are simulated, from sub-cooled liquid flow at channel inlet, up to the liquid film dryout, gas entrained droplets, mist flow and post dryout region at tube exit. In the post dryout region, thermal non-equilibrium was assumed between vapor and entrained droplets and wall temperature was obtained iteratively by using a wall heat flux partitioning model. Also, the model is verified against several available experimental data and proved viable for prediction of the wall temperature and the dryout location. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.