Condensation heat transfer characteristics of AMTEC porous wick condenser

Abstract

An axisymmetric two-dimensional mathematical model was established and the volume of fluid (VOF) method was adopted to numerically investigate the condensation heat transfer process of alkali metal in AMTEC porous wick condenser. The steady-state physical fields of working medium were obtained and the impacts of some relevant parameters including geometrical and operational parameters on condensation heat transfer characteristics were discussed. The results show that the thickness of the liquid sodium increases along the radial direction. The temperature distribution in liquid phase is approximately linear. The condensation rate at the phase-change interface decreases along the radial direction, and the cold end heat flux q increases initially and then decreases along the radial direction. The porous wick condenser has very limited self-adaptive ability once the mass flow rate Min exceeds some critical value. In addition, there is a corresponding Tw for a certain Min to ensure the stable phase-change interface. The performance of AMTEC can be enhanced by reducing the distance between artery and cell wall.