Browsing by Author "Van der Westhuizen, J. J."
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- ItemLiquid extraction on air cooled condensor steam ducts(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-12) Van der Westhuizen, J. J.; Hoffman, J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Matimba Power Station in South Africa experiences erosion of its air-cooled condenser (ACC) bundle tubes, as stated in an ACC degradation report by Eskom. This erosion is caused by water droplets (wet steam) travelling at high velocities. Impurities due to demineralization system failures and corroded metal are carried via these water droplets to the ACC bundles. The impurities lower the pH level of the water droplets, promoting corrosion. If the impurities that are carried to the ACC bundles could be reduced through water/steam separation, the erosion of the ACC bundles would be reduced. An aerodynamic water/steam separator is designed to reduce the pressure loss caused by the separator and the best location for liquid extraction is identified in the ducting. To design such a separator certain sensitivities need to be evaluated like the shape of the separator and also the sensitivities on the shape itself. To find the best location for the separator in terms of the amount of liquid that can be extracted, it should be known where most of the droplets flow in the flow domain. There is no information regarding the droplet size distribution and certain assumptions need to make. Different models are used for different droplet sizes and these models are also investigated in this study and identified for the conditions on the power station. The shape and location for the separator is identified with an airfoil shape placed on one of the vanes in the bend of the ducting.