Scholars usually ignore the non-equilibrium condensing effects in turbulence-model comparative studies on supersonic steam ejectors. In this study, a non-equilibrium condensation model considering real physical properties was coupled respectively with seven turbulence models. They are the k-ε Standard, k-ε RNG, k-ε Realizable, k-ω Standard, k-ω SST, Transition SST, and Linear Reynolds Stress Model. Simulation results were compared with the experiment results globally and locally. The complex flow phenomena in the steam ejector captured by different models, including shock waves, choking, non-equilibrium condensation, boundary layer separation, and vortices were discussed. The reasons for the differences in simulation results were explained and compared. The relationship between ejector performance and local flow phenomena was illustrated. The novelty lies in the conclusions that consider the non-equilibrium condensing effects. Results show that the number and type of shock waves predicted by different turbulence models are different. Non-equilibrium condensation and boundary layer separation regions obtained by various turbulence models are different. Comparing the ejector performance and the complex flow phenomena with the experimental results, the k-ω SST model is proposed to simulate supersonic steam ejectors.
The complex flow phenomena in a three-dimensional supersonic steam ejector were simulated with a non-equilibrium condensation model including real physical properties in different pressure conditions. The different working conditions include discharge pressure, motive pressure, and suction pressure. The influence of different pressures on shock waves in the steam ejector was investigated comprehensively. The intrinsic causes of shock wave variation with pressure conditions were explained in detail. The results show that the width of the primary shock train region expand with an increase in the motive pressure or a decrease in suction pressure. The diamond shock waves move downstream with an increase in motive pressure or a decrease in suction pressure. The shocking position in the diffuser moves upstream until it reaches the diffuser entrance with an increase in discharge pressure or a decrease in motive pressure or suction pressure. The intensity and number of oblique shock waves in the diffuser increase with an increase in motive pressure and suction pressure or a decrease in discharge pressure. The existence of only one shock wave in the diffuser is a necessary and insufficient condition for the ejector to enter a double choking mode.
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