Development of an improved mass transfer model for condensation with dynamic feedback regulation

In the field of condensation research, accurate and efficient numerical simulation models are highly desired. One of the widely used phase change mass transfer models is known as the Lee model. However, this model has limitations due to uncertainties in the mass transfer intensity factor, which can lead to simulation failures and impede large-scale engineering applications. This study presents an improved mass transfer model which employs a tuning function to dynamically and accurately modify the mass transfer intensity factor in each two-phase cell via feedback adjustment. This approach enables immediate and customized adjustment of the factor for each grid within the limit of the tuning function, significantly reducing the errors caused by repeated artificial adjustments and related uncertainties. The adjustment capabilities of the hyperbolic tangent and softsign functions are evaluated. The softsign function is superior in both regulation efficiency and accuracy. The model's accuracy is verified by comparing with previous experiments and simulations, as well as by the one-dimensional Stefan problem. The proposed model achieves high prediction accuracy, reduces the risk of simulation dispersion, and significantly enhances computational efficiency with the iteration number reduced by nearly half under certain conditions compared to the Lee model. Furthermore, the new model shows robustness as the prediction accuracy is insensitive to variations in critical parameters. The improved model is expected to provide valuable assistance for future research and applications in flow condensation with outstanding computational accuracy, efficiency, and stability.