Two-phase steam-water flow through Y-junctions

An investigation has been made of steam-water flow in a vertical coplanar Y-junctions which are used, for example, in the condensate carrying pipework downstream of direct contact heat exchangers. The steam-water flow is stratified in the sloping limbs approaching the junction and this paper examines problems associated with the flooding of the junction. It is shown that at low water flowrates water falls freely through the junction, but as the water flowrate increases a condition is reached when the water starts to pile at the junction and the junction is said to be flooded. Further increase in the water flowrate causes the water level to rise within the sloping limbs approaching the junction. A simple analytical model is developed which describes reasonably well the flow phenomena observed.