Experimental analysis of HRSG for simulating internal flow behavior using Euler and swirl similitudes

Abstract

Experimental analysis with a scale-reduction model enables data measurements and analysis of physical phenomena that could not be performed in a real model because of numerous constraining conditions and environmental regulations. In the present study, experimental analysis of a D-top model HRSG was conducted using a 1/12 scale-down model to simulate inlet duct flow behavior and pressure drop phenomena, and to evaluate numerical results. For a more accurate and reasonable study, the cold flow test was performed and pressure drop values of each section was adjusted considering geometric and dynamic similarities. Specifically, Euler and swirl numbers were considered as dynamic similitude procedures, and the log-Tchebycheff method was applied for effective data measuring. The flow uniformity at the rear section of the inlet duct and pressure drop values were measured, analyzed, compared with numerical results. Consequently, the experimental analysis rigorously evaluated the numerical results of the optimized model, which was proposed in the previous study.