Film investigation of swirl-vane separator based on Euler grid approximation and coupled film method of Eulerian wall film and volume of fraction method

Abstract

The movement of multiple liquid droplets within steam flow constitutes a commonplace and noteworthy phenomenon across a spectrum of disciplines, including environmental science, chemical engineering, and energy studies. To simulate the dynamic behavior of these droplets, the methodology of Euler grid approximation, along with the Eulerian wall film (EWF) coupled with the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method, was successfully employed to simulate the steam-liquid separation and liquid film processes within the swirl-vane separator. The trajectory of droplets within the gas phase field was constructed using the Euler grid approximation methodology, while the flow of liquid film formed by droplet–wall collision was modeled based on the coupled EWF and VOF liquid film model. The investigation of two-phase flow and liquid film flow within the swirl-vane separator under high temperature and pressure conditions was conducted utilizing the proposed model, with subsequent analysis of the pertinent characteristics of droplets and liquid film. Specifically, the thickness and velocity of the liquid film significantly increased with the increase in droplet mass flow rate, with larger droplets more prone to concentrate and form stable flow of thick liquid film. The study results may hold significant implications for the design, operation, and optimization of separators.