Droplets deposition in steam piping connecting steam generator and steam turbine in nuclear plant

A numerical investigation is carried out for turbulent droplet-laden flow of saturated steam produced in a steam generator (SG) that feeds steam turbine (ST) through a long and multi-bend steam piping. The main purpose of the study is to analyze deposition of droplets that form a wall film in the piping system. Commercial CFD code StarCD is used for the solution of turbulent flow field of droplet-laden steam. Turbulence is treated using k–ω model of turbulence. Wall film formation is solved by additional conservation equations. Two tasks were performed: parametric study of the deposition in a 90° elbow positioned with different orientation and the deposition in a more complex piping system. This system starts with outlets from steam generator with five mouthpieces leading to a collector pipe and connecting the steam piping leading to a steam turbine. The steam piping consists of three straight segments of pipes and two 90° elbows in the total length 17 m. The diameter of the steam piping is 0.425 m. Results of the simulations show where droplets deposit and where a liquid separator should be placed to drain away the water film and to avoid droplets from entering the steam turbine.