Pressure drop across the moisture separator installed in the steam generator of a nuclear power plant affects the power generation efficiency, and so accurate pressure drop prediction is important in generator design. In this study, an empirical correlation is proposed for predicting the two-phase pressure drop through a moisture separator. To ensure the applicability of the correlation, a series of two-phase air-water experiments were performed, and the results of the present test and of the benchmark test of high-pressure steam-water were used in developing the correlation. Based on the experimental results, quality, dimensionless superficial velocity, density ratio of the working fluid, and the geometrical factor were considered to be important parameters. The two-phase pressure drop multiplier was expressed in terms of these parameters. The empirical correlation was found to predict the experimental results within a reasonable range.
Two-phase pressure drop prediction in helically coiled steam generators for nuclear power applications
