A feasibility study of heat transfer improvement in marine stream condensers.

Abstract

A survey of condenser design principles and heat transfer augmentation schemes is provided. Using the ORCON 1 computer code, as developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a thermal analysis was performed on the main condenser of the USS John F. Kennedy, CVA-67. A comparison was made between the standard design and fifteen test cases where heat transfer was improved using a variety of techniques, including internally finned tubing, corrugated tubing, promotion of dropwise condensation, and use of thin-walled titanium tubing at high sea water velocities. Each case was compared for heat load capability at constant pumping power, and for weight, volume, and estimated cost at an equivalent heat load.

Results show that with the present condenser volume, the heat load can be increased by as much as 50 percent using heat transfer improvement techniques. From a different point of view, at the same heat load, a 40 percent reduction in condenser weight and volume may be feasible.

Several of the proposed heat transfer improvement schemes may lead, however, to increased pumping power and/or cost. Continued research is recommended in several promising areas to provide more adequate design information and to improve the long term reliability of these proposed schemes.