Relation between the divergent section’s angle and two-phase heat in the condensation flow of wet steam in a supersonic nozzle

Latent heat release by homogeneous condensation in the supersonic flow of the wet steam extremely affects the flow dynamics and causes condensation shock. Condensation is an irreversible process and leads to wetness losses. Investigating the factors affecting the condensation is of great importance. In the present study, the impact of the angle of the divergent section of the nozzle is studied on the static pressure distribution, temperature, Mach number, nucleation phenomenon, liquid mass fraction, and two-phase heat. The following angles are considered for the divergent section of the nozzle: 1.8°, 1°, 3°, 6°, 9°, and 12°. The wet steam flow is simulated in a 2D supersonic nozzle. Based on the results, as the angle increases, the nozzle’s pressure and temperature decrease and the Mach number increases. The nucleation rate and liquid mass fraction increase. The heat of the two-phase, which indicates the latent heat released due to a phase change, increases. By increasing the angle from 1.83° to 12°, the two-phase latent heat and the liquid mass fraction increase 171% and 166%, respectively. The present study pinpoints the importance of the nozzle’s divergent section’s angle in the condensation phenomenon.