Numerical analysis of supercritical water heat transfer in horizontal circular tube

Heat transfer is numerically investigated of supercritical water for three-dimensional horizontal flows in uniformly heated tube. Three ɛ-type turbulence models are tested and the numerical results are compared with experimental data, and the criteria for onset of buoyancy effect and heat transfer deterioration are analyzed. The results show that: (1) the standard k–ɛ turbulence model with enhanced wall treatment is recommended; (2) the quantity Gr/Re2.7 gives a capacity to predict the buoyancy effect onset; and (3) correlations developed by Styrikovich et al. and Yamagata et al. can predict the onset of heat transfer deterioration for top and bottom surface, respectively.