Simulation of bubble condensation with a multi-bubble size class model

Experimental data obtained at the TOPFLOW facility for steam-water vertical pipe flow were used to test the complex interaction of local bubble distributions, bubble size distributions and local heat and mass transfer. Steam is injected into sub-cooled water and condenses during the upwards flow. The model considers a large number of bubble classes (50). This allows the investigation of the influence of the bubble size distribution. The results of the simulations show a good agreement with the experimental data. The condensation process clearly depends on the initial bubble size. Also bubble break-up has a strong influence on the condensation process because of the change of the interfacial area.