METASTABLE FLOW

(SUPERSATURATED FLOW)

STEAM NOZZLE

BIBIN CHIDAMBARANATHAN
 1
When saturated steam is expanded 2

adiabatically, or isentropically, it becomes

wet.

h 1 T 𝑃1 1
𝑃1
𝑃2
2
𝑃2 2
s
s
The expansion of steam in an ideal
nozzle is isentropic, which is
accompanied by condensation 1 𝑃2
process. h

𝑃1
If the steam is initially
superheated, steam expands in the 2
nozzle, its pressure and
temperature reduces, and it is
s
expected that the steam start
condensing when it strikes the
saturation line.
But this is not possible. 1 𝑃2
h
𝑃1
Due to the high velocities, the
residence time of the steam in 2
the nozzle is small, and there
s
may not sufficient time for the
necessary heat transfer and the
1
formation of liquid droplets. 2
But from practical point of view, the 1 𝑃2
steam has a great velocity (sometimes h
sonic and even supersonic). 3
𝑃1

Thus the phenomenon of condensation

2
does not take place at the expected rate.

The condensation of steam is delayed for s

a little while. 1
2

As a result of this, equilibrium between

the liquid and vapour phase is delayed
and the steam continues to expand in a
dry state.
This phenomenon is known as super
saturation or in metastable state,

The steam that exists in the wet region

without containing any liquid is known as h 1 𝑃2
supersaturated steam.
𝑃1
It is also called supercooled steam, as its
temperature at any pressure is less than the 2
saturation temperature corresponding to
the pressure.
s
The flow of supersaturated steam, through
the nozzle is called supersaturated flow or
metastable flow
 Effects of Supersaturation
The flowing effects in a nozzle, in which Supersaturation occurs, are
important from the subject point of view;
1. Since the condensation does not take place during supersaturated
expansion, so the temperature at which the Supersaturation occurs
will be less than the saturation temperature corresponding to the
pressure. Therefore, the density of supersaturated steam will be more
than for the equilibrium conditions, which gives the increase in the
mass of steam discharged.
2. The Supersaturation increases the entropy and specific volume of the
steam.
3. (for the same pressure limits) The Supersaturation reduces the heat
drop below that for thermal equilibrium. Hence the exit velocity of the
steam is reduced.
4. The Supersaturation increases dryness fraction of steam.
QUIZ TIME
1. The flow of steam in a nozzle is subsonic at......
a. Throat
b. Entrance
c. Convergent portion
d. Divergent portion
2. The flow of steam is supersonic .........
a. At the entrance to the nozzle
b. At the throat of the nozzle
c. In the convergent portion of the nozzle
d. In the divergent portion of the nozzle
3. The maximum velocity attainable at the throat of a steam
nozzle is......
a. less than sonic velocity
b. Sonic velocity
c. more than sonic velocity
d. Supersonic velocity
4. Which of the following devices uses wilson's line in
determining flow through it.......
a. Steam engine
b. Steam nozzle
c. Reaction turbine
d. Impulse turbine
5. The Effect of friction in a nozzle......dryness fraction of
steam
a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. Same
 PROBLEM 09 :
A convergent-divergent nozzle receives steam at 7 bar and 200°C and expands
isentropically to 3 bar. Neglecting the inlet velocity, calculate the exit area required for a
mass flow of 0.1 kg/s, when the
a) the flow is in equilibrium throughout
b) the flow is super saturated with 𝑝𝑣 1.3 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡.
Given Data: @ state 1; P1 = 7 bar; T1 = 200°C 𝐂𝟏 = 𝟎

@ state 2; P2 = 3 bar kg 1 t 2
ṁ = 0.1
s
To find:
Exit area of the nozzle ( 𝑨𝟐 ) =?
Case 1: flow is in equilibrium throughout
Case 2: flow is super saturated with 𝑝𝑣 1.3 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡.
 Formula
𝐴2 × 𝐶2
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 ṁ =
𝜗2
Case 1: flow is in equilibrium throughout

𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝐶2 = 2000 ℎ1 − ℎ2

Case 2: flow is super saturated with 𝑝𝑣 1.3 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 (metastable flow)

(𝑛−1)/𝑛
2𝑛 𝑝2
𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝐶2 = 𝑝1 𝑣1 1 −
𝑛−1 𝑝1

𝑝1 𝑣1𝑛 = 𝑝2 𝑣2𝑛
STEAM TABLES
METHOD
Solution: @ state 1; 𝐏𝟏 = 𝟕 𝐛𝐚𝐫; 𝐓𝟏 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎°𝐂

𝑻𝑺𝟏 = 𝟏𝟔𝟓°𝑪 𝑻𝑺𝟏 < 𝑻𝟏 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝

@ state 1; 𝐏𝟏 = 𝟕 𝐛𝐚𝐫; 𝐓𝟏 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎°𝐂, 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝

𝒉𝟏 = 𝒉𝒔𝒖𝒑𝟏 = 𝟐𝟖𝟒𝟒. 𝟐 𝒌 𝑱Τ𝒌 𝒈

 @ state 1; 𝐏𝟏 = 𝟕 𝐛𝐚𝐫; 𝐓𝟏 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎°𝐂, 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝

𝒔𝟏 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟖𝟔 𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈𝑲 𝒔𝟏 = 𝒔𝟐 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟖𝟔 𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈𝑲

 @ state 1; 𝐏𝟏 = 𝟕 𝐛𝐚𝐫; 𝐓𝟏 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎°𝐂, 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝

𝒗𝟏 = 𝒗𝒔𝒖𝒑 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟗𝟗𝟗 𝒎𝟑 /𝒌𝒈

 @ State 2; 𝐏𝟐 = 𝟑 𝐛𝐚𝐫 𝒔𝟏 = 𝒔𝟐 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟖𝟔 𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈𝑲

𝒔𝒈𝟐 = 𝟔. 𝟗𝟗𝟏 𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈𝑲 𝒔𝟐 < 𝒔𝒈𝟐 𝑾𝒆𝒕

@ state 2; 𝐏𝟐 = 𝟑 𝐛𝐚𝐫; 𝐰𝐞𝐭

𝒔𝟐 = 𝒔𝒇𝟐 + 𝒙𝟐 . 𝒔𝒇𝒈𝟐 𝒔𝐟𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕𝟐 𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈𝑲

6.886 = 1.672 + 𝑥2 × 5.319 𝒔𝐟𝐠𝟐 = 𝟓. 𝟑𝟏𝟗 𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈𝑲
𝒙𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟖 𝒔𝟐 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟖𝟔 𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈𝑲
@ state 2; 𝐏𝟐 = 𝟑 𝐛𝐚𝐫; 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟖

𝒉𝟐 = 𝒉𝒇𝟐 + 𝒙𝟐 𝒉𝒇𝒈𝟐 𝒉𝒇𝟐 = 561.5 kJ/kg

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟓𝟔𝟏. 𝟓 + 𝟎. 𝟗𝟖 × 𝟐𝟏𝟔𝟑. 𝟐 𝒉𝐟𝐠𝟐 = 𝟐𝟏𝟔𝟑. 𝟐 kJ/kg

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟐𝟔𝟖𝟏. 𝟒𝟑 𝒌 𝑱Τ𝒌 𝒈
@ state 2; 𝐏𝟐 = 𝟑 𝐛𝐚𝐫; 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟖

𝝑𝟐 = 𝝑𝒇𝟐 + 𝒙𝟐 . 𝝑𝒇𝒈𝟐 𝝑𝒇𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟕𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎𝟑 Τ𝒌 𝒈

𝝑𝟐 = 𝝑𝒇𝟐 + 𝒙𝟐 . (𝝑𝒈𝟐 −𝝑𝒇𝟐 ) 𝝑𝒈𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟎𝟓𝟓𝟑 𝒎𝟑 Τ𝒌 𝒈

𝝑𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟕𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 + 𝟎. 𝟗𝟖 × (𝟎. 𝟔𝟎𝟓𝟓𝟑- 𝟏. 𝟎𝟕𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 )

𝝑𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟗𝟑𝟒𝟒 𝒎𝟑 /𝒌𝒈
Case 1: flow is in equilibrium throughout

𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝐶2 = 2000 ℎ1 − ℎ2

𝒉𝟏 = 𝒉𝒔𝒖𝒑𝟏 = 𝟐𝟖𝟒𝟒. 𝟐 𝒌 𝑱Τ𝒌 𝒈

𝐶2 = 2000 2844.2 − 2681.3
𝒉𝟐 = 𝟐𝟔𝟖𝟏. 𝟑 𝒌 𝑱Τ𝒌 𝒈

𝐶2 = 𝟓𝟕𝟎. 𝟕𝟗 𝒎/𝒔
 𝐴2 × 𝐶2
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 ṁ = 𝐤𝐠
𝜗2 ṁ = 𝟎. 𝟏
𝐬
𝐴2 × 570.79 𝑪𝟐 = 𝟓𝟕𝟎. 𝟕𝟗 𝒎/𝒔
0.1 =
0. 59344
𝝑𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟗𝟑𝟒𝟒 𝒎𝟑 /𝒌𝒈
𝐴2 = 1.03968 × 10−4 𝑚2

Answer

𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝑨𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟑𝟗𝟔𝟖 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒎𝟐

Case 2: flow is super saturated with 𝑝𝑣 1.3 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 n= 1.3

For SUPERSATURATED FLOW 𝑣1 = 0.2999 𝑚3 /𝑘𝑔

P1 = 7 bar = 7 × 105 𝑁/𝑚2
P2 = 3 bar
(𝑛−1)/𝑛
2𝑛 𝑝2
𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝐶2 = 𝑝1 𝑣1 1 −
𝑛−1 𝑝1

(1.3−1)/1.3
2 × 1.3 5
3
𝐶2 = × 7 × 10 × 0.2999 1 −
1.3 − 1 7

𝑪𝟐 = 𝟓𝟔𝟖. 𝟒𝟒 𝐦/𝐬
 n= 1.3

𝑝1 𝑣1𝑛 = 𝑝2 𝑣2𝑛 𝑣1 = 0.2999 𝑚3 /𝑘𝑔

P1 = 7 bar = 7 × 105 𝑁/𝑚2
7 × 105 × 0.29991.3 = 3 × 105 × 𝑣21.3
P2 = 3 bar = 3 × 105 𝑁/𝑚2
0.4875 = 𝑣21.3
ln(0.4875) = ln(𝑣21.3 )
ln 0.4875 = 1.3 ln(𝑣2 )
−0.5525 = ln(𝑣2 )
𝑒 −0.5525 = 𝑒 ln(𝑣2 )
𝑒 −0.5525 = 𝑣2 𝒗𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟕𝟓𝟒 𝐦𝟑 /𝐤𝐠
 𝐴2 × 𝐶2
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 ṁ = 𝐤𝐠
𝜗2 ṁ = 𝟎. 𝟏
𝐬
𝐴2 × 568.44 𝑪𝟐 = 𝟓𝟔𝟖. 𝟒𝟒 𝒎/𝒔
0.1 =
0. 5754
𝝑𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟕𝟓𝟒 𝒎𝟑 /𝒌𝒈
𝐴2 = 1.01239 × 10−4 𝑚2

Answer

𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝑨𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟐𝟑𝟗 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒎𝟐

MOLLIER CHART
METHOD
 PROBLEM 09 :
A convergent-divergent nozzle receives steam at 7 bar and 200°C and expands
isentropically to 3 bar. Neglecting the inlet velocity, calculate the exit area required for a
mass flow of 0.1 kg/s, when the
a) the flow is in equilibrium throughout
b) the flow is super saturated with 𝑝𝑣 1.3 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡.
Given Data: @ state 1; P1 = 7 bar; T1 = 200°C 𝐂𝟏 = 𝟎

@ state 2; P2 = 3 bar kg 1 t 2
ṁ = 0.1
s
To find:
Exit area of the nozzle ( 𝑨𝟐 ) =?
Case 1: flow is in equilibrium throughout
Case 2: flow is super saturated with 𝑝𝑣 1.3 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡.
 Formula
𝐴2 × 𝐶2
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 ṁ =
𝜗2
Case 1: flow is in equilibrium throughout

𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝐶2 = 2000 ℎ1 − ℎ2

Case 2: flow is super saturated with 𝑝𝑣 1.3 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 (metastable flow)

(𝑛−1)/𝑛
2𝑛 𝑝2
𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝐶2 = 𝑝1 𝑣1 1 −
𝑛−1 𝑝1

𝑝1 𝑣1𝑛 = 𝑝2 𝑣2𝑛
@ state 1; 𝐏𝟏 = 𝟕 𝐛𝐚𝐫; 𝐓𝟏 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎°𝐂 @ state 2; 𝐏𝟐 = 𝟑 𝐛𝐚𝐫

ℎ1 = 2840 𝑘 𝐽Τ𝑘 𝑔 1
𝝑𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟑 𝒎𝟑 /𝒌𝒈
ℎ2 = 2675 𝑘 𝐽Τ𝑘 𝑔
2 𝝑 = 𝟎. 𝟔 𝒎𝟑 /𝒌𝒈
𝟐
Case 1: flow is in equilibrium throughout

𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝐶2 = 2000 ℎ1 − ℎ2

𝐶2 = 2000 2840 − 2675 𝒉𝟏 = 𝒉𝒔𝒖𝒑𝟏 = 𝟐𝟖𝟒𝟎 𝒌 𝑱Τ𝒌 𝒈

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟐𝟔𝟕𝟓 𝒌 𝑱Τ𝒌 𝒈

𝐶2 = 𝟓𝟕𝟒. 𝟒𝟓 𝒎/𝒔
 𝐴2 × 𝐶2
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 ṁ = 𝐤𝐠
𝜗2 ṁ = 𝟎. 𝟏
𝐬
𝐴2 × 574.45 𝑪𝟐 = 𝟓𝟕𝟒. 𝟒𝟓 𝒎/𝒔
0.1 =
0. 6

𝝑𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟔 𝒎𝟑 /𝒌𝒈
𝐴2 = 1.04465 × 10−4 𝑚2

Answer

𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝑨𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟒𝟒𝟔𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒎𝟐

Case 2: flow is super saturated with 𝑝𝑣 1.3 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 n= 1.3

𝑣1 = 0.3 𝑚3 /𝑘𝑔
P1 = 7 bar = 7 × 105 𝑁/𝑚2
P2 = 3 bar
(𝑛−1)/𝑛
2𝑛 𝑝2
𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝐶2 = 𝑝1 𝑣1 1 −
𝑛−1 𝑝1

(1.3−1)/1.3
2 × 1.3 5
3
𝐶2 = × 7 × 10 × 0.3 1 −
1.3 − 1 7

𝑪𝟐 = 𝟓𝟔𝟖. 𝟓𝟑 𝐦/𝐬
 n= 1.3

𝑝1 𝑣1𝑛 = 𝑝2 𝑣2𝑛 𝑣1 = 0.3 𝑚3 /𝑘𝑔

P1 = 7 bar = 7 × 105 𝑁/𝑚2
7 × 105 × 0.31.3 = 3 × 105 × 𝑣21.3
P2 = 3 bar = 3 × 105 𝑁/𝑚2
0.4877 = 𝑣21.3
ln(0.4877) = ln(𝑣21.3 )
ln 0.4877 = 1.3 ln(𝑣2 )
−0.552 = ln(𝑣2 )
𝑒 −0.552 = ln(𝑣2 )
𝑒 −0.552 = 𝑒 ln(𝑣2 ) 𝒗𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟕𝟓𝟔 𝐦𝟑 /𝐤𝐠
𝑒 −0.552 = 𝑣2
 𝐴2 × 𝐶2
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 ṁ = 𝐤𝐠
𝜗2 ṁ = 𝟎. 𝟏
𝐬
𝐴2 × 568.53 𝑪𝟐 = 𝟓𝟔𝟖. 𝟓𝟑 𝒎/𝒔
0.1 =
0. 5756
𝝑𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟕𝟓𝟔 𝒎𝟑 /𝒌𝒈
𝐴2 = 1.01243 × 10−4 𝑚2

Answer

𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝑨𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟐𝟒𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒎𝟐

Thank You